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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 TV, the Focal Bathys offers excellent sound with the best performance for watching videos and a solid build. They're over-ear headphones with active noise cancelling, suitable for air travel and providing good noise isolation. However, they are less portable and have a lower comfort score for exercise. If you're looking for earbuds that are more affordable, sweatproof, with a stem design for easy handling, and decent sound quality for music and gaming, the JBL Tune Flex might suit you. They're also better for exercise and have a low latency mode, but lack the superior sound quality and noise cancellation of the Focal Bathys. Keep in mind, the Focal Bathys require battery power even when wired, and are heavier, which may affect long-term comfort. 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 Flex
- Good for exercise
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.0
7.3
The Focal Bathys is very good for music, while the JBL Tune Flex is good.
Gaming
9.3
8.5
The Focal Bathys is excellent for gaming, while the JBL Tune Flex is very good.
Phone Calls
5.2
6.3
The JBL Tune Flex is only fair for phone calls, while the Focal Bathys is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.2
9.0
The JBL Tune Flex is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Focal Bathys is only fair.
TV and Video
10.0
7.8
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the JBL Tune Flex is good.
Noise Reduction
8.3
6.5
The Focal Bathys is very good for noise reduction, while the JBL Tune Flex is only fair.
Battery
31.0 Hours
6.5 Hours
The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life. The JBL Tune Flex has 6.5 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 Tune Flex costs $60.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Focal Bathys has excellent build quality, while the JBL Tune Flex has very good build quality.
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How the Focal Bathys and the JBL Tune Flex compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Bathys | JBL Tune Flex |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$699 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | September 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.4/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 10/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 31 Hours | 6.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5.2 | |
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 | 6.5/10 | |
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 | 5.1/10 | |
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 | 9 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 Flex
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Dig into reviews and images
MajorHiFi
Gabby Bloch | May 2023
"JBL is offering a similar design and arguably better resolution than the more expensive AirPods 3rd Generation. Add to that a comfortable and versatile fit, an equalizer and pretty decent ANC, and you’ve got a quality wireless earphone. I would have loved longer battery life and more crystal calls, but for the price, you can’t complain. A solid deal overall."
Get a great deal on the Focal Bathys or the JBL Tune Flex
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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