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·
If you prioritize top-notch sound quality for music and a full over-ear experience, the Focal Bathys may be better despite their high cost; they also offer active noise canceling for travel comfort and are suitable for wired use. On the contrary, if portability and a more compact form factor are essential, and you need something for exercise or calls, the Sony WF1000XM4 earbuds are more fitting and feature effective noise isolation with sweatproof certification, at a lower price point. Both offer long battery life and are optimized with app controls for customization, but only the Sony has wireless charging. 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
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM4
- Excellent for music
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.0
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent for music, while the Focal Bathys is very good.
Gaming
9.3
5.6
The Focal Bathys is excellent for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.2
6.7
The Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair for phone calls, while the Focal Bathys is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.2
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Focal Bathys is only fair.
TV and Video
10.0
6.0
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair.
Battery
31.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$699
$220
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Focal Bathys has a price of $699 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Noise Reduction
8.3
8.3
The Focal Bathys and Sony WF1000XM4 are both very good for noise reduction.
Build Quality
9.0
8.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Focal Bathys to have excellent build quality, while the Sony WF1000XM4 has very good build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Focal Bathys and the Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Bathys | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$699 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.4/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 10/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 6.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 31 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 350 Grams | 6.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
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."
Sony WF1000XM4
See more
Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | March 2023
"The headphones deliver a satisfying user experience, class-leading battery life, some of the best noise-cancelling we’ve heard in this category, and absolutely stunning sound quality."
Get a great deal on the Focal Bathys or the Sony WF1000XM4
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
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
