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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize top-notch sound quality for music and movies, the Focal Bathys will offer you superior audio and noise isolation, making them ideal for immersive experiences and air travel, though they are less portable and need charging due to their internal amplifier. On the other hand, if you are looking for something more affordable and sweatproof for exercises with satisfactory sound, the JBL Tune Buds are a more cost-effective option, plus they are optimized for portable use and come with wireless charging, although they do not excel in music or call quality. 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 Tune Buds
- Good for exercise
Key differences
Music
8.0
6.2
The Focal Bathys is very good for music, while the JBL Tune Buds is only fair.
Gaming
9.3
5.4
The Focal Bathys is excellent for gaming, while the JBL Tune Buds is poor.
TV and Video
10.0
6.1
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the JBL Tune Buds is only fair.
Noise Reduction
8.3
6.7
The Focal Bathys is very good for noise reduction, while the JBL Tune Buds is only fair.
Battery
31.0 Hours
10.4 Hours
The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life. The JBL Tune Buds has 10.4 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 Tune Buds costs $60.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Focal Bathys has excellent build quality, while the JBL Tune Buds has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.2
4.9
The Focal Bathys and JBL Tune Buds 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 Tune Buds is poor.
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How the Focal Bathys and the JBL Tune Buds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Bathys | JBL Tune Buds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$699 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | May 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.4/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 10/10 | 6.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 31 Hours | 10.4 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
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 | 6.8/10 | |
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 | 6/10 | |
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 | 10.8 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 Tune Buds
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Tim Gideon | September 2023
"JBL’s Tune Buds stick with the company’s signature bass-heavy sound by default, but a quality in-app EQ lets you sculpt the audio to taste. These noise-cancelling true wireless earphones also mitigate environmental distractions fairly well for the price and offer good battery life. If you're specifically seeking bold, bass-tuned audio out of the box, the Tune Buds are worth a listen."
Get a great deal on the Focal Bathys or the JBL Tune Buds
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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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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