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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for superior sound quality, the Focal Bathys will provide a premium audio experience with excellent soundstage, making them ideal for immersive music and high-fidelity audio. They are also well-suited for air travel with active noise cancelling. However, they come at a high-end price and are heavier, which might not be ideal for extended wear or exercise. Conversely, the Soundcore Life Q20 headphones offer decent sound quality and excellent noise isolation at a much lower price point, they are lighter and have a longer battery life, but may not match the audio quality and build of the Focal Bathys. The Soundcores fold for portability, which is handy if you're on the move, but they may not feel as luxurious or be as durable as the Focals. 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 Soundcore Life Q20
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.0
7.0
The Focal Bathys is very good for music, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is good.
Gaming
9.3
5.2
The Focal Bathys is excellent for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.2
4.7
The Focal Bathys is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
TV and Video
10.0
5.3
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Cost
$699
$50
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Focal Bathys has a price of $699 and the Soundcore Life Q20 costs $50.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Focal Bathys has excellent build quality, while the Soundcore Life Q20 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.2
4.9
The Focal Bathys and Soundcore Life Q20 are both poor for phone calls.
Noise Reduction
8.3
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q20 and Focal Bathys are both very good for noise reduction.
Battery
31.0 Hours
32.3 Hours
The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q20 has 32.3 hours of battery life.
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How the Focal Bathys and the Soundcore Life Q20 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Bathys | Soundcore Life Q20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$699 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | November 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.4/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 10/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 31 Hours | 32.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 1.8 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 | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 350 Grams | 258.5 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."
Soundcore Life Q20
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Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | January 2022
"As far as headphones that cost under $100 go, the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is a really solid option. Like any good tool, it does the job well without much guff, and it’s affordable to boot. Sure: it’s not going toe to toe with any of the higher-end models of ANC headphones out there—but the headphones do well enough for commuters that it’s a good stand-in if you were never planning on spending a bunch of money anyway."
Get a great deal on the Focal Bathys or the Soundcore Life Q20
About Soundcore
Soundcore is a sub-brand belonging to Anker Innovations. Starting in 2014, initially marketing wireless, Bluetooth, speakers, Anker now offers an array of, budget-friendly, wireless earbuds and headphones that directly compete, especially in the Active Noise Canceling field, with other brands several times as expensive.
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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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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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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