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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Focal Bathys offers superior sound quality and active noise cancelling, which makes them excellent for immersive music experiences and air travel, with good wireless capabilities and aptX Adaptive for lower latency. However, they're pricier and bulkier, so less portable. The Koss Porta Pro, on the other hand, is significantly more affordable, has a foldable design for better portability, and provides decent sound quality with an open-back design which is not ideal for noisy environments. They lack wireless functionality and active noise cancelling, and while they have a mic, battery life and other features are not applicable. If you're after high-end audio and noise cancellation, choose the Bathys, but for a budget-friendly and portable option with satisfactory audio, the Porta Pro is suitable. 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 Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
- The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) has no clear advantages over the Focal Bathys.
Key differences
Gaming
9.3
8.2
The Focal Bathys is excellent for gaming, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good.
Phone Calls
5.2
6.1
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is only fair for phone calls, while the Focal Bathys is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.2
6.8
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) and Focal Bathys are both only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is somewhat better.
TV and Video
10.0
7.6
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is good.
Noise Reduction
8.3
2.5
The Focal Bathys is very good for noise reduction, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is poor.
Battery
31.0 Hours
N/A
The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life. The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) does not have a battery.
Cost
$699
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Focal Bathys has a price of $699 and the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) costs $60.
Build Quality
9.0
6.0
The Focal Bathys has excellent build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.0
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) and Focal Bathys are both very good for music.
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How the Focal Bathys and the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Bathys | Koss Porta Pro (with mic) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$699 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | Koss | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | January 1, 1984 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.4/10 | 8.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 10/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 31 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 6/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 350 Grams | 63.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | In-Line | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
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."
Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
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Headphones.com
Sebastian Taboada | February 2022
"It’s clear to see why these have been such a popular choice amongst listeners for nearly four decades. It’s a charming pair of headphones that delivers a truly enjoyable listening experience and one that I think punches well above its weight."
Get a great deal on the Focal Bathys or the Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
About Koss
Koss is an American headphone manufacturer established in 1953. In 1958, they created the first set of stereophones, that is headphones with stereo sound, and in 1984 they released the world-famous Porta Pro, a set of on-ear headphones that has remained essentially unchanged for more than 30 years and that is still made, sold and loved by many audio enthusiasts around the world today.
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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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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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