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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're seeking top-tier sound quality with excellent noise isolation for air travel, and comfort for at-home listening, the Focal Bathys could be the better choice, though they come at a higher cost. They also perform exceptionally well for TV and video with low latency, but are not sweatproof, which makes them less ideal for exercise. On the other hand, the JBL Live Pro 2 earbuds are more suited for casual listening, calls, and are great for use during exercise due to their sweatproof design. They are more portable, offer a longer battery life, and include wireless charging, all at a lower price, but with a more modest sound quality and noise isolation compared to the Focal Bathys. 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 Pro 2
- Very good for exercise
Key differences
Music
8.0
5.9
The Focal Bathys is very good for music, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Gaming
9.3
5.3
The Focal Bathys is excellent for gaming, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
TV and Video
10.0
5.5
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
9.1
The JBL Live Pro 2 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Focal Bathys is very good.
Battery
31.0 Hours
8.3 Hours
The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Pro 2 has 8.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$699
$150
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Focal Bathys has a price of $699 and the JBL Live Pro 2 costs $150.
Build Quality
9.0
7.0
The Focal Bathys has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Pro 2 has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.2
5.2
The Focal Bathys and JBL Live Pro 2 are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.2
5.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Focal Bathys to be only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
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How the Focal Bathys and the JBL Live Pro 2 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Bathys | JBL Live Pro 2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$699 | $150 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | June 1, 2022 | |
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 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.4/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 10/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 31 Hours | 8.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 0.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 350 Grams | 4.8 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."
JBL Live Pro 2
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | February 2023
"The JBL Live Pro 2 TWS occupy an interesting space in the wireless earbuds market. They’re a step up from cheap wireless earbuds and allow you to access better sound quality without having to make the jump to more premium options from the likes of Bose, Sony and Sennheiser. They’re an entertaining listen, easy to use and manage to pack in a lot of useful features. We think they’re well worth a listen."
Get a great deal on the Focal Bathys or the JBL Live Pro 2
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.
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.
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