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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, the Focal Bathys would be a superior choice, excelling particularly in music, gaming, and TV/video experiences. Conversely, if value for money and additional features are important to you, the Sony WH-1000XM5 offers excellent active noise cancelling, better mic quality for calls, and longer battery life. The Sony's are more travel-friendly due to lighter weight and better portability, as well as offering app features such as equalizer and controls customization. Though the Focals have higher sound quality, they come at a higher price and lack some of the convenient features found in the Sony WH-1000XM5. 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 WH-1000XM5
- The Sony WH-1000XM5 has no clear advantages over the Focal Bathys.
Key differences
Gaming
9.3
5.6
The Focal Bathys is excellent for gaming, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
TV and Video
10.0
5.8
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
9.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Focal Bathys is very good.
Battery
31.0 Hours
40.3 Hours
The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$699
$280
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Focal Bathys has a price of $699 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $280.
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Key similarities
Music
8.0
8.2
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Focal Bathys are both very good for music.
Phone Calls
5.2
5.5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Focal Bathys are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.2
6.0
The Focal Bathys and Sony WH-1000XM5 are both only fair for podcasts and audiobooks.
Build Quality
9.0
8.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Focal Bathys to have excellent build quality, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 has very good build quality.
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How the Focal Bathys and the Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Bathys | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$699 | $280 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | May 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 5.6/10 | |
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 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 31 Hours | 40.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 350 Grams | 249.4 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."
Sony WH-1000XM5
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Headphonesty
Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir | February 2023
"The Sony WH-1000XM5 are the best Sony Bluetooth headphones so far and one of the most well-rounded Bluetooth headphones around. Look no further if you need class-leading ANC with a mostly inoffensive sound signature. Just be ready to pony up the price premium."
Get a great deal on the Focal Bathys or the Sony WH-1000XM5
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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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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