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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize high-quality sound for music and TV, and can afford a high-end price, the Focal Bathys offer excellent audio fidelity and are better suited for air travel with active noise cancelling, suitable for over-ear comfort, and a built-in equalizer for sound customization. However, they are heavy and not ideal for exercise. On the other hand, the JBL 510BT is more budget-friendly, lightweight, and has a foldable design which can be good for portability, but they might not be as comfortable for long periods and lack noise cancelling, which means they won't perform as well in noisy environments or for focused listening sessions. If gaming and calls are important to you, note that both have their weaknesses with the Bathys performing poorly and JBL 510BT rated poor for calls and gaming. Consider your priorities and whether the investment in the Focal Bathys aligns with your needs for sound quality and features over the cost savings you would get with the JBL 510BT. 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
- Very good for music
- Excellent for gaming
- Best in class for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the JBL 510BT
- The JBL 510BT has no clear advantages over the Focal Bathys.
Key differences
Music
8.0
6.2
The Focal Bathys is very good for music, while the JBL 510BT is only fair.
Gaming
9.3
5.4
The Focal Bathys is excellent for gaming, while the JBL 510BT is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.2
5.6
The Focal Bathys is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL 510BT is poor.
TV and Video
10.0
5.5
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the JBL 510BT is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
5.3
The Focal Bathys is very good for noise reduction, while the JBL 510BT is poor.
Battery
31.0 Hours
38.0 Hours
The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life. The JBL 510BT has 38 hours of battery life.
Cost
$699
$30
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Focal Bathys has a price of $699 and the JBL 510BT costs $30.
Build Quality
9.0
6.5
The Focal Bathys has excellent build quality, while the JBL 510BT has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.2
5.1
The Focal Bathys and JBL 510BT are both poor for phone calls.
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How the Focal Bathys and the JBL 510BT compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Bathys | JBL 510BT |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$699 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | February 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.4/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 10/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 5.8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 31 Hours | 38 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 350 Grams | 158.7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
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."
JBL 510BT
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Dig into reviews and images
SoundGuys
Sam Smart | September 2023
"The JBL Tune 510BT is affordable and compact, making it a great companion for a commute, so long as you don't need active noise canceling. If you wear glasses or have ear piercings, the on-ear design might not be comfortable, since the ear cups will squish your ears."
Get a great deal on the Focal Bathys or the JBL 510BT
About JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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