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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize exceptional sound quality and immersive listening, particularly for music and TV/video where latency isn’t a concern, the Focal Bathys are an excellent choice, but they come at a high-end price. They also feature active noise cancelling, making them suited for air travel. On the other hand, the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) offers good sound quality at a more affordable midrange price, with added low latency mode for gaming, and a more compact design for portability and exercise. They also support wireless charging, which the Focal Bathys do not. 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 "Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
- Good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.0
7.0
The Focal Bathys is very good for music, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is good.
Gaming
9.3
8.5
The Focal Bathys is excellent for gaming, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is very good.
Phone Calls
5.2
7.9
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is good for phone calls, while the Focal Bathys is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.2
9.1
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Focal Bathys is only fair.
TV and Video
10.0
8.0
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is very good.
Battery
31.0 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life. The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$699
$149
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Focal Bathys has a price of $699 and the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) costs $149.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
8.3
8.0
The Focal Bathys and "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) are both very good for noise reduction.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Focal Bathys and "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) both have excellent build quality.
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How the Focal Bathys and the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Bathys | "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$699 | $149 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | "Nothing" Brand | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | March 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.4/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 10/10 | 8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 7.9/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 31 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 1 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 | 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 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 350 Grams | 4.4 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."
"Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
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Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | March 2023
"For the price the Nothing Ear (2) is pretty good. It fits well, and the IP54 rating (and IP55 with case) is durable enough for daily life. Most of its unique features are found in the Nothing X app, such as personalized frequency responses, and personalized, adjustable ANC."
Get a great deal on the Focal Bathys or the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
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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
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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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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