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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality for music and TV, the Focal Bathys provide an excellent and best-in-class experience with active noise cancelling, making them suitable for immersive listening and air travel, but note that they are bulkier and need charging even when wired. In contrast, the JBL Live 670NC is more affordable, offers good call quality, and is more portable with better battery life, though the sound quality is not as high and they are less suited for immersive audio experiences. If budget is less of a concern and your focus is on top-notch sound and noise isolation, go for the Bathys; if you seek decent performance at a lower cost with the convenience of better battery life and portability, consider the JBL Live 670NC. 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
Advantages of the JBL Live 670NC
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.0
6.5
The Focal Bathys is very good for music, while the JBL Live 670NC is only fair.
Gaming
9.3
5.4
The Focal Bathys is excellent for gaming, while the JBL Live 670NC is poor.
Phone Calls
5.2
7.4
The JBL Live 670NC is good for phone calls, while the Focal Bathys is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.2
8.6
The JBL Live 670NC is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Focal Bathys is only fair.
TV and Video
10.0
5.5
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the JBL Live 670NC is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
6.7
The Focal Bathys is very good for noise reduction, while the JBL Live 670NC is only fair.
Battery
31.0 Hours
65.0 Hours
The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life. The JBL Live 670NC has 65 hours of battery life.
Cost
$699
$100
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Focal Bathys has a price of $699 and the JBL Live 670NC costs $100.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Focal Bathys has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live 670NC has very good build quality.
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How the Focal Bathys and the JBL Live 670NC compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Bathys | JBL Live 670NC |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$699 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | March 1, 2024 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.4/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 10/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 31 Hours | 65 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5.3 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 350 Grams | 217 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
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."
Get a great deal on the Focal Bathys or the JBL Live 670NC
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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