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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Focal Bathys offers superior overall sound quality, promising a more immersive music experience, and excels in noise isolation, thanks to active noise cancelling, making them a solid option for air travel or noisy environments. They are suitable if you prioritize audio fidelity and are okay with a larger size and higher price. On the other hand, the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is more portable, features a case that extends battery life, and has a better microphone for calls. These earbuds are a good fit if you seek a lightweight option for general use that won't break the bank and still delivers adequate sound performance. 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
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.0
6.1
The Focal Bathys is very good for music, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is only fair.
Gaming
9.3
8.1
The Focal Bathys is excellent for gaming, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good.
Phone Calls
5.2
8.6
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good for phone calls, while the Focal Bathys is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.2
8.4
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Focal Bathys is only fair.
TV and Video
10.0
7.5
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is good.
Noise Reduction
8.3
2.5
The Focal Bathys is very good for noise reduction, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is poor.
Battery
31.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life. The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$699
$99
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Focal Bathys has a price of $699 and the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick costs $99.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Focal Bathys and "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick both have excellent build quality.
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How the Focal Bathys and the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Bathys | "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$699 | $99 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | "Nothing" Brand | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | November 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 8.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.4/10 | 8.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 10/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 31 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 1.2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 22 | |
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 | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7/10 | |
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 Stick
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | December 2022
"If the Ear (stick) fits your ears, its light weight means you can easily wear it until the unimpressive battery life totally drains. The IP54 rating of the buds lends some confidence that it’ll survive some light abuse too. Finally, for the person who only wears earbuds at their desk, the Nothing Ear (stick) with its decent microphone could offer a reasonable Zoom meeting solution."
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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.
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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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