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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you value excellent overall sound quality with the option to use both wireless and wired connections, active noise cancelling, and higher build quality, the Focal Bathys may be worth the investment despite their higher price. They excel in soundstage and are great for TV and video, air travel, and listening to music, but require charging due to their internal amplifier, even when wired. On the other hand, if you are budget-conscious and want a simple, plug-and-play solution without worrying about charging, with decent noise isolation and very good comfort, the Sony MDREX15AP earbuds could be a better choice, especially for portability and ease of use. 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 Sony MDREX15AP
- The Sony MDREX15AP has no clear advantages over the Focal Bathys.
Key differences
Gaming
9.3
6.7
The Focal Bathys is excellent for gaming, while the Sony MDREX15AP is only fair.
Phone Calls
5.2
3.5
The Focal Bathys and Sony MDREX15AP are both poor for phone calls, though the Focal Bathys is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.2
5.4
The Focal Bathys is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
TV and Video
10.0
9.3
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the Sony MDREX15AP is excellent.
Noise Reduction
8.3
7.0
The Focal Bathys is very good for noise reduction, while the Sony MDREX15AP is good.
Battery
31.0 Hours
N/A
The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life. The Sony MDREX15AP does not have a battery.
Cost
$699
$20
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Focal Bathys has a price of $699 and the Sony MDREX15AP costs $20.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Focal Bathys has excellent build quality, while the Sony MDREX15AP has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.0
8.3
The Sony MDREX15AP and Focal Bathys are both very good for music.
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How the Focal Bathys and the Sony MDREX15AP compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Bathys | Sony MDREX15AP |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$699 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | March 1, 2014 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
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 | 3.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.4/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 10/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 4.6/10 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
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 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 350 Grams | 3.1 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
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."
Sony MDREX15AP
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Make It Sound Great
Pete Anthony | June 2022
"At the ultra budget $10 price-point (and we’ve seen the no-mic version go for as cheap as $7), I’d say these are a decent option if you’re looking for a passable pair of earbuds for basic use that’s as cheap as possible. I wouldn’t say they feel or sound as good as some of the ultra-budget alternatives out there – of which there are a few at this point – but some might disagree. I will say though that the cable is a little bit nicer than those of that same competition."
Get a great deal on the Focal Bathys or the Sony MDREX15AP
About Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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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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