A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Focal Bathys offer a premium audio experience with better overall sound quality and a more immersive soundstage, making them excellent for music listening and TV. On the other hand, for a much lower price, the JBL Live Free NC+ are portable, have good noise isolation, and their sweatproof certification makes them suited for exercise. The JBLs also support wireless charging, a convenience the Bathys lack. However, the JBLs have lower build and sound quality compared to the Bathys, and without a wired option, they're less versatile. For cost-effective, practical earbuds, especially for active use and calls, consider the JBLs, but for superior audio and build, with the budget to match, the Bathys are a better 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 Free NC+
- Good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.0
5.8
The Focal Bathys is very good for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
9.3
5.0
The Focal Bathys is excellent for gaming, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Phone Calls
5.2
7.6
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the Focal Bathys is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.2
8.4
The JBL Live Free NC+ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Focal Bathys is only fair.
TV and Video
10.0
5.6
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
7.0
The Focal Bathys is very good for noise reduction, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is good.
Battery
31.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$699
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Focal Bathys has a price of $699 and the JBL Live Free NC+ costs $60.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Focal Bathys has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Free NC+ has very good build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Focal Bathys and the JBL Live Free NC+ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Bathys | JBL Live Free NC+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$699 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | March 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.4/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 10/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 31 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 1.3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5.1 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 18 | |
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 | No | |
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 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 350 Grams | 7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Focal Bathys
See more
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 Live Free NC+
See more
Dig into reviews and images
HeadphoneCheck
Maike Paeßens | 2020
"JBL has added great-sounding, rock-solid all-rounders with a pleasant, warm sound character to their range. They are equipped with a high level of functionality that can be customised via the app. Some compromises have to be made with the active noise cancellation, which has a discreet effect, while the ambient mode and the Talkthru function proved to be powerful despite a perceptible background noise."
Get a great deal on the Focal Bathys or the JBL Live Free NC+
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
122,600
Recommendations made
18,390
Consumer hours saved
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.
Jason Lew
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.
Featured in
