Focal Bathys MG Headphones Review: Wireless Without Sacrifice
Read Time: Approx. 15 min.
Redefining the Sonic Performance of a Wireless Headphone
Confession: I love wireless headphones. There I said it. Guilty as charged. Wireless headphones in the audiophile community are a bit of a hot topic–and rightfully so. They offer the maximum amount of convenience and ease of use, but their sound quality isn't always up to par with wired headphones. Companies like Sony and Sennheiser put up a valiant effort to offer wireless headphones worthy of an audiophile's attention, but Focal has proved itself to be one of the master of audiophile-grade headphones.
Focal has played a large role in reimagining what an audiophile-grade wireless headphone can be, first with the Bathys Wireless Headphones, and now with the Bathys MG Wireless Headphones. The Bathys MG is the company's latest wireless headphone, offering the same functionality as the first gen. Bathys, but with upgraded magnesium drivers–the same drivers used in the Focal Clear MG Headphones.
PROS
- Beautiful design, comfortable fit
- Deep, impactful low-end extension
- Sonically superior to first gen. Bathys
CONS
- Removeable ear pads but no included replacement?
Design
Coming from someone who's French, I'll be the first to say we love luxury and beautiful things. We can thank Louis XIV for starting the love affair and companies like Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Focal for keeping it alive. Focal has mastered the art of luxury in the hi-fi headphone space, handcrafting each pair of cans with high-quality materials and exquisite finishes. They've embodied the motto "If it ain't broke don't fix it," never venturing too far from their iconic ear cup design and use of rich, bold finishes. Personally, I love it. I think that consistency is what makes them so timeless. You can spot a Focal headphone from a hundred miles away and the Bathys MG is no different.
While the Bathys MG and first-generation Bathys look practically identical–aside from the finishes–the Bathys MG reigns supreme in comfort. From the moment I slipped on the Bathys MG, I noticed a huge difference in the plushness of the ear pads and weight distribution. Although both models weigh the same at just shy of 1 lb (0.77 lb), the Bathys MG didn't feel as heavy sitting on my head. Could it be because the Bathys are 3 years old, well-loved, and worn in? Maybe, but that's my initial impression.
Inspired by the Clear MG, the Bathys MG features a warm chestnut finish from the ear cups to the headband and ear pads. It's a beautifully rich, warm color that closely resembles a mocha brown color. Compared to the stark silver and black color scheme of the Bathys, the Bathys MG is breathtaking and exudes elegance.
The functionality of the Bathys MG is no different than the Bathys, but I'll walk you through it if you're not familiar. On the bottom of the right ear cup is the power on/off switch with three options for on, off, and USB DAC mode. You'll also find the USB-C charging port, 3.5mm jack, volume control, Bluetooth button, and voice assistant button. On the bottom of the left ear cup is the active noise cancellation (ANC) button. Simply press the button once to enable ANC and hold it down for two seconds to cycle through three ANC modes, silent, soft, and transparency.
To pair the headphones with a new device, users must download the Focal & Naim app. In Bluetooth pairing mode, the Focal icon on both ear cups will illuminate and flash white. Once connected, the icon will stay illuminated and can be turned off or dimmed within the app. The icons will illuminate every time the headphones are turned on. The Bathys MG can save up to eight devices and when you turn them on, they'll automatically attempt to connect to one of the saved devices. Included with the Bathys MG is a hardshell carrying case, USB-C cable, and 3.5mm detachable headphone cable for wired listening.
Just like the OG Bathys, the Bathys MG sports an impressive battery life. 30 hours of battery life in Bluetooth mode, 35 hours via the 3.5mm jack, and 42 hours in USB-DAC mode. Fast charging functionality adds 5 hours of listening time in just 15 minutes.
Sound
When I first started at Moon Audio I was OBSESSED with the Focal Bathys. I'd wear them for hours on end every day, and I can already tell the Bathys MG will fall victim to the same fate (insert devilish little laugh). If you enjoy the sound of the Bathys, you'll be blown away by the Bathys MG. If the Bathys is a sparkler, the Bathys MG is a firecracker.
The first-generation Bathys sports a 40mm aluminum-magnesium driver with an M-shaped dome. It delivers a dynamic, detailed, and slightly warm sound. Focal ditched the aluminum-magnesium drivers in the OG Bathys for 40mm magnesium drivers with an M-shaped dome in the Bathys MG–the same drivers used in the Clear MG. The Clear MG is regarded as a highly detailed, transparent, and accurate-sounding headphone. The inclusion of the Clear MG's magnesium driver delivers an incredible sonic upgrade to the Bathys MG. Focal has managed to maintain the fun-loving, dynamic sound of the OG Bathys while adding the detailed, accurate qualities of the Clear MG. What you get is a rich, natural, and precise-sounding headphone with a deep low-end extension and clear, smooth treble.
A small but noticeable change in the Bathys MG's performance pertains to its volume. Focal has adjusted the volume increments on the Bathys MG to be 3dB compared to 5dB in the first-generation model. Why does this matter? Well, for starters you're less likely to blow your eardrums. Instead of increasing by 5dB every time you click up the volume, it's only 3dB. You'll have a more pleasurable listening experience where you can enjoy your music at truly low levels and find that sweet spot–where it's not too quiet or too loud.
One of my favorite qualities the first-generation Bathys possesses is its impactful yet punchy bass response. It has one of the most impressive bass responses I've heard from a high-end wireless headphone–that is until I listened to the Bathys MG. The Bathys MG's frequency response dips 5Hz lower than the OG Bathys, dropping down to 10Hz, and boy does it show! Before you techy audiophiles get all crazy on me, let's touch briefly on frequency response. The hearing range for the average human ear is between 20Hz and 20kHz. While technically speaking, anything below 20Hz and above 20kHz isn't audible, you can experience vibrations, swooshing air, and other visceral elements. So while I technically can't "hear" the 10Hz in the low-end on the Bathys MG, I could feel a rumble and impact of that deeper extension.
Aside from the prominent bass response, I immediately noticed a more dynamic midrange. While the first-generation Bathys has a ton of musicality, the midrange often felt muddied with not much clarity. Vocals were prominent but they lacked some of the fine details and nuance that make for a truly dynamic, musical presentation. The Bathys MG delivers us a midrange full of depth, musicality, and most importantly, clarity and nuance. Vocals that felt lost in the shuffle of a bustling song on the Bathys were clear and prominent on the Bathys MG.
And speaking of clarity, the top end of the Bathys MG is just that–and smoother. Dean Martin's Ain't That A Kick In The Head features a ton of brass, woodwind, and string instruments. From trumpets to trombones and violins there are plenty of opportunities for unwanted sibilance and harsh tones to screech and scratch their way through my ears. The Bathys MG handled the likes of Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra with ease. The OG Bathys fared fine, but not as well. While the OG Bathys doesn't boast any noticeable sibilance, it's not as smooth as the Bathys MG.
Both the Bathys MG and OG Bathys have a soundstage that's more immersive and "in your head" than it is wide and tall. While the Bathys MG's soundstage doesn't rival that of an open-back headphone, it does have more depth, lending to a nice three-dimensional sound. Overall, the sonic differences between the two Bathys models are not stark.
LV Bag
By Don Toliver and Speedy (feat. j-hope from BTS & Pharrell Williams)
Dear God
By Tate McRae
(So Close to What)
Ain't That a Kick In the Head
By Dean Martin
(The Capital Years)
By Your Side
By Sade
(The Essential Collection)
Features
- Bluetooth® 5.2 portable headphones with active noise cancelling
- Magnesium speaker drivers with 'M'-shaped domes, made in France in the Focal workshops
- Rich, natural, ultra-precise sound reproduction with powerful bass and crystal-clear treble
- USB-DAC mode: high-resolution sound up to 24bits/192kHz
- Over 30-hour battery life in Bluetooth® mode. Fast-charge function offering 5 hours of listening in 15 minutes
- Refined design and premium materials: genuine leather, aluminium, magnesium
- Focal & Naim application: precise EQ adjustment and personalised headphone control
- Lightweight, ergonomic design for travel convenience
USB DAC Mode
The Bathys MG features a USB DAC mode granting you a higher level of of resolution than Bluetooth. In USB DAC mode with a USB Cable, you'll enjoy high-resolution music files from your phone or computer at 24-bits/192kHz, without Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. You're bypassing the DAC in your device in favor of the DAC in the Bathys MG.
Focal & Naim App
You'll find the app under Focal & Naim in the Google Play Store and Naim in the Apple App Store. You can set the LED backlight to on, dim, or off; choose your NC settings and access EQ. You can also view the battery level and see the audio track of the track being played.
Active Noise Canceling
The Bathys MG features three noise-canceling modes. Silent mode is designed for planes, trains, and other environments when maximum sound blockage is desired. Does this mean you won't hear any ambient sound at all? Not necessarily, but the noise will be drastically reduced. And with noise cancellation, the louder the outside sound, the more the headphones will be working to block it. The other mode is soft mode, which is recommended when you need to focus at home or in the office but need to maintain some outside awareness. In this case, outside sounds will be muted, but not canceled. You also have the option of transparency mode, allowing you to hear sounds around you when needed.
Dragon Cables
[Silver Dragon Portable Headphone Cable]
For the audiophile who wants the best of both worlds, our Silver Dragon Portable Headphone Cable is the perfect wired companion. The Silver Dragon will add detail, clarity, and top-end resolution to the Bathys MG's sound quality.
Our HiFi Audio Dragon Cables bring out more of what you love in your music and audio gear. If you love your headphones but wish they had a bit more top-end sparkle - a Silver Dragon Headphone Cable would be a great option. If your USB cables keep dying - as many stock cables do - then check out our quality USB Audio Cables. We say time and time again that materials matter, and our audio cables and custom geometries actually help to bring out those desired properties in your gear and music. We make tons of custom options for our customers so that you can get the right HiFi Audio cable for your exact needs. If you have any questions feel free to Contact Us and we'll be more than happy to help.
Verdict
For audiophiles who refuse to compromise on sound quality but desire the freedom of a wireless experience, the Focal Bathys MG Wireless Headphones offer the perfect balance of convenience and acoustic excellence. Focal has once again proven that wireless headphones can indeed satisfy even the most discerning audiophile's ears.
With their upgraded magnesium drivers borrowed from the acclaimed Clear MG, they deliver a dynamic, rich, and detailed sound quality while maintaining the convenience of wireless technology. Focal has even appeased audiophiles who prefer a wired listening experience with a 3.5mm headphone jack and our Silver Dragon Portable Headphone Cable will enhance the clarity, detail, and resolution you get from the Bathys MG. The rich chestnut finish exudes elegance, while improved comfort makes extended listening sessions a pleasure. Between the impressive 30+ hour battery life, refined sound with a deeper bass extension, more dynamic midrange, and smoother treble response than the first-generation Bathys, the Bathys MG is a welcome upgrade and a pair of wireless ANC headphones worth owning.
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What's in the Box
- Focal Bathys MG Wireless Headphones
- Rigid Carrying Case
- 1.2m (3.9 ft.) Jack Cable
- 1.2m (3.9 ft.) USB-C Cable
- Quick Start Guide
Specifications
Type: Closed-back wireless headphones with active noise canceling
Bluetooth Technology: 5.2 Multipoint
Bluetooth Range: >15m
Bluetooth Frequency Band: 2402mHz - 2480mHz
Audio Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX
Battery Life:
30h Bluetooth Noise Canceling
35h Jack Mode
42h USB-DAC Mode
Other Functions: Google Fast Pair
Speaker Drivers: 1 5/8" (40mm) Magnesium speaker drivers with 'M'-shaped domes, made in France
Frequency Response: 10Hz to 22kHz
Harmonic Distortion Rate: <0.2% @ 1kHz
Microphones: 8
Weight: 0.77 lbs (350g)
Carrying Case (Supplied): 9 1/2" x 8 1/4" x 2 3/4" (24 x 21 x 7cm)
Control Application: Focal & Naim, iOS and Android compatible
Connections: Bluetooth | 3.5mm Jack | USB-C Connector
