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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
The Focal Bathys offer excellent overall sound quality, a very good soundstage, and active noise cancelling, making them ideal for immersive music and TV experiences. However, they are pricey and despite their wireless capability, always require charging due to their internal amplifier, even in wired mode. The JBL Live 770NC are much less expensive with very good build quality and comfort for their price, and they excel in portability and use during exercise. If budget is a concern and you prioritize active lifestyles, the JBL might be the better choice. For premium sound and a focus on home-listening experiences, consider the Focal Bathys despite the higher cost and need for frequent charging. 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 770NC
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.0
7.4
The Focal Bathys is very good for music, while the JBL Live 770NC is good.
Gaming
9.3
5.6
The Focal Bathys is excellent for gaming, while the JBL Live 770NC is poor.
TV and Video
10.0
5.8
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the JBL Live 770NC is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
7.0
The Focal Bathys is very good for noise reduction, while the JBL Live 770NC is good.
Battery
31.0 Hours
76.0 Hours
The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life. The JBL Live 770NC has 76 hours of battery life.
Cost
$699
$130
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Focal Bathys has a price of $699 and the JBL Live 770NC costs $130.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Focal Bathys has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live 770NC has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.2
5.2
The JBL Live 770NC and Focal Bathys are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.2
5.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Focal Bathys to be only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live 770NC is poor.
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How the Focal Bathys and the JBL Live 770NC compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Bathys | JBL Live 770NC |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$699 | $130 | ||
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 | 7.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.4/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 10/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 6.1/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 31 Hours | 76 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 2 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 | 7/10 | |
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 | 220 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 770NC
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
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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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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