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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're seeking top-notch sound quality with a good balance of deep bass, clear mids, and crisp highs, the Focal Bathys might be your preferred choice, and they also offer active noise cancelling which is great for travel or busy environments. However, they're significantly pricier. On the other hand, if a wide, natural soundstage is crucial for you and you're okay with open-back headphones that leak sound and offer less noise isolation, the HifiMan Sundara would be a more wallet-friendly option. Bear in mind, the Sundara does not have a built-in microphone, thus might not be suitable for calls or meetings. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Focal Bathys
- Excellent for gaming
- Best in class for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the HifiMan Sundara
- Excellent for music
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.0
9.3
The HifiMan Sundara is excellent for music, while the Focal Bathys is very good.
Gaming
9.3
7.2
The Focal Bathys is excellent for gaming, while the HifiMan Sundara is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.2
7.8
The HifiMan Sundara is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Focal Bathys is only fair.
TV and Video
10.0
8.8
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the HifiMan Sundara is very good.
Noise Reduction
8.3
2.5
The Focal Bathys is very good for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Sundara is poor.
Battery
31.0 Hours
N/A
The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life. The HifiMan Sundara does not have a battery.
Cost
$699
$279
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Focal Bathys has a price of $699 and the HifiMan Sundara costs $279.
Build Quality
9.0
8.2
The Focal Bathys has excellent build quality, while the HifiMan Sundara has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.2
4.9
The Focal Bathys and HifiMan Sundara are both poor for phone calls.
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How the Focal Bathys and the HifiMan Sundara compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Bathys | HifiMan Sundara |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$699 | $279 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | May 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.4/10 | 7.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 10/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 31 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 350 Grams | 394.6 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Focal Bathys
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Christian Thomas | May 2023
"As much as I hesitate to recommend a headphone that sells for $800 USD, if you’re looking for the best sound quality you can find in the ANC space: it’s the Focal Bathys."
HifiMan Sundara
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | July 2023
"The HiFiMan Sundara is the set of headphones to get if you want high-end audio, but don't want to shell out a king's ransom for it. These planar magnetic headphones are comfortable, straightforward, and excellent performers."
Get a great deal on the Focal Bathys or the HifiMan Sundara
About HifiMan
HiFiMAN is a Chinese, high-end, audio product manufacturer, with 20 years of experience, that specializes in amplifiers, digital audio players and planar magnetic headphones, some of which have become a staple in the audiophile community such as the entry-level Sundara, the midrange Edition X, and the very well-regarded, high-end, Arya.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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