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 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.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Music
8.0
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) and Focal Bathys are both very good for music.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
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
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."
Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Focal Bathys vs. HifiMan Arya Stealth
VS
Compare Focal Bathys vs. Focal Elex
VS
Compare Focal Bathys vs. Master & Dynamic MW75-Neuro
VS
Compare Koss Porta Pro (with mic) vs. JBL Tune Flex
VS
Compare Koss Porta Pro (with mic) vs. JBL Live Free NC+
VS
Compare Koss Porta Pro (with mic) vs. Google Pixel Buds A Series
VS
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
94,400
Recommendations made
14,160
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
