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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If immersive audio and versatility are priorities, the Focal Bathys stand out for excellent overall sound quality and top-notch performance for TV and gaming, thanks to their low latency and the option of both wired and wireless connections. They offer active noise cancelling and are suitable for air travel, but due to their size and weight, they're not ideal for exercise or portability. Conversely, the JBL Live Buds 3 are more affordable and feature a lightweight, earbud design that's great for exercise and on-the-go use with very good noise isolation. However, they may not match the Focal's audio fidelity and have limited performance for calls and gaming. Both have built-in controls and the convenience of a charging case, but if phone calls are a frequent activity, you may favor the Focal for its better microphone quality. Consider your main activities and prioritize whether sound quality, price, or portability matters most to inform your choice. 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 Buds 3
- Very good for exercise
Key differences
Gaming
9.3
5.4
The Focal Bathys is excellent for gaming, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
TV and Video
10.0
5.6
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Battery
31.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Buds 3 has 10 hours of battery life.
Cost
$699
$216
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Focal Bathys has a price of $699 and the JBL Live Buds 3 costs $216.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Focal Bathys has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Buds 3 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.0
7.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Focal Bathys to be very good for music, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is good.
Phone Calls
5.2
5.2
The JBL Live Buds 3 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 Buds 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
8.3
The Focal Bathys and JBL Live Buds 3 are both very good for noise reduction.
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How the Focal Bathys and the JBL Live Buds 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Bathys | JBL Live Buds 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$699 | $216 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | June 1, 2024 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.4/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 10/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 31 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 30 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 350 Grams | 8.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Focal Bathys
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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 Buds 3
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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Why trust us
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.
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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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