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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If sound quality and a truly immersive listening experience are your top priorities, and you predominantly use your headphones in static environments like home or work, then the Focal Bathys with their excellent overall sound quality, active noise cancelling, and low latency might suit you best, despite the higher price and the need to charge even when wired. On the other hand, if you're looking for earbuds that are more portable, have a good battery life, and offer features like wireless charging, sweat and dust resistance, and a smart charging case with a touch display – and all this at a lower price – the JBL Live Flex 3 might be the better choice, especially for exercise and casual use. However, they may not match the Focal Bathys in terms of sound quality for music and TV, and they do not support wired connection. 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 JBL Live Flex 3
- Very good for exercise
Key differences
Gaming
9.3
5.5
The Focal Bathys is excellent for gaming, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
TV and Video
10.0
5.7
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
Battery
31.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Flex 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 Flex 3 costs $216.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Focal Bathys has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Flex 3 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.0
8.0
The Focal Bathys and JBL Live Flex 3 are both very good for music.
Phone Calls
5.2
5.2
The JBL Live Flex 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 Flex 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
8.3
The Focal Bathys and JBL Live Flex 3 are both very good for noise reduction.
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How the Focal Bathys and the JBL Live Flex 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Bathys | JBL Live Flex 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 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.4/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 10/10 | 5.8/10 | |
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 | 40 | |
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 Flex 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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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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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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