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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're seeking premium sound quality with noise cancellation and Bluetooth connectivity, the Focal Bathys is an excellent choice, albeit at a higher price point. On the other hand, if affordability is a major concern and you're comfortable with a basic set of features suitable for everyday use, the Sony WH-CH520 can provide that, while you forgo the advanced audio engineering and build quality of the Focal Bathys. Keep in mind that the Focal Bathys may have better build quality, longer-lasting comfort, and possibly more advanced features like voice assistant integration, while the Sony model offers essential functionality without the frills. If your focus is on high-fidelity audio and you're willing to invest for long-term use, the Focal Bathys might be the way to go. 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 Sony WH-CH520
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
9.3
8.8
The Focal Bathys is excellent for gaming, while the Sony WH-CH520 is very good.
Phone Calls
5.2
6.7
The Sony WH-CH520 is only fair for phone calls, while the Focal Bathys is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.2
8.0
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Focal Bathys is only fair.
TV and Video
10.0
8.2
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the Sony WH-CH520 is very good.
Noise Reduction
8.3
4.6
The Focal Bathys is very good for noise reduction, while the Sony WH-CH520 is poor.
Battery
31.0 Hours
52.0 Hours
The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$699
$40
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Focal Bathys has a price of $699 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $40.
Build Quality
9.0
7.0
The Focal Bathys has excellent build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.0
7.6
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Focal Bathys to be very good for music, while the Sony WH-CH520 is good.
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How the Focal Bathys and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Bathys | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$699 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.4/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 10/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 31 Hours | 52 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 1.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 4.6/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 350 Grams | 147.41 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-CH520
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | September 2023
"If you’re looking for headphones that simply do what you ask them to: the Sony WH-CH520 is a decent option, even if it isn’t very exciting. Sony’s WH-CHXXX line fits this role quite well, and the WH-CH520 offers a decent raft of quality-of-life updates over its predecessor that should keep listeners happy. If the Sony WH-CH520 were a car, it’d be the boring-but-safe commuter compact."
Get a great deal on the Focal Bathys or the Sony WH-CH520
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
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.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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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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