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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If sound quality is a top priority and you're willing to invest more, the Focal Bathys is the superior choice; it offers exceptional sound performance but requires charging for use even in wired mode. On the other hand, the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is significantly less expensive while providing decent sound quality and active noise cancellation, making it a cost-effective option for everyday use. The Hesh ANC is lighter, which may be more comfortable for long listening sessions, but it doesn't match the Bathys' advanced audio codecs and overall sound refinement. Both have integrated microphones, supporting calls and voice commands, and similar battery life. Choose the Bathys for high-end audio with a compatible device or the Hesh ANC for a balance of affordability and features. 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 Skullcandy Hesh ANC
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.0
6.7
The Focal Bathys is very good for music, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair.
Gaming
9.3
5.6
The Focal Bathys is excellent for gaming, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is poor.
TV and Video
10.0
5.8
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is poor.
Battery
31.0 Hours
23.0 Hours
The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life. The Skullcandy Hesh ANC has 23 hours of battery life.
Cost
$699
$135
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Focal Bathys has a price of $699 and the Skullcandy Hesh ANC costs $135.
Build Quality
9.0
7.0
The Focal Bathys has excellent build quality, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.2
5.3
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Focal Bathys are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.2
6.0
The Focal Bathys and Skullcandy Hesh ANC are both only fair for podcasts and audiobooks.
Noise Reduction
8.3
8.7
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Focal Bathys are both very good for noise reduction.
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How the Focal Bathys and the Skullcandy Hesh ANC compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Bathys | Skullcandy Hesh ANC |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$699 | $135 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | Skullcandy | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | December 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.4/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 10/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 31 Hours | 23 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 1.6 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 7.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 350 Grams | 226.7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
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."
Skullcandy Hesh ANC
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Headphonecheck
Maike Paeßens | 2021
"Skullcandy’s Hesh ANC are compact, wireless over-ears for everyday use that are tuned for bass and designed to suppress or amplify ambient noise as required. In addition to Bluetooth 5.0, optional tracking via the Tile app is supported so that these headphones can be found if they get lost."
Get a great deal on the Focal Bathys or the Skullcandy Hesh ANC
About Skullcandy
Skullcandy is an American, consumer-oriented, earbuds and headphones manufacturer with 20 years of market experience. They sell a wide variety of, budget-friendly and unique, wired and wireless products that are sure to please the vast majority of users. Among their most popular offerings, the Crusher headphones, includes a pair of actual subwoofers inside the cups which makes the bass extra prominent for a unique and extra fun sound.
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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
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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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