PRICE $1,499
AT A GLANCE
Plus
Luxurious
Stylish
Exceptional fidelity
Comfortable
Minus
Expensive
No true passive mode
THE VERDICT
The Bathys MG evolves Focal’s Bathys wireless ANC headphones with new magnesium drivers and updated electronics. The result is a traveler‑friendly, full‑size over‑ear that prioritizes fidelity and comfort without giving up everyday usability. If you valued the original Bathys for sound and build, MG doubles down on those same strengths.
Focal’s Bathys MG targets listeners who refuse to trade performance for convenience. It keeps the distinctive Bathys silhouette and premium materials, but swaps in 40mm magnesium M‑shaped drivers and refreshed electronics, aiming to elevate detail, control, and soundstage while retaining ANC and app-based control. At $1,499 it sits well above mainstream wireless competitors, so the question is simple: does it deliver sound worthy of a true luxury purchase? Based on extensive music and video listening across Apple and Android, the answer is unequivocally “yes”. Read my review of the original Bathys by clicking here.
Features
Bathys MG is a closed‑back, full‑size wireless headphone that is manufactured in France. An eight‑mic array handles ANC and voice pickup. Bluetooth 5.2 with multipoint supports SBC, AAC, aptX, and aptX Adaptive, and Focal specifies wireless range at over 15 meters. USB‑DAC mode supports up to 24‑bit/192kHz playback, and there’s also a 3.5mm analog input for legacy sources. However, the absence of true passive operation means the electronics must be awake for any wired listening. The upshot is this is how Focal achieves sonic consistency regardless of whether ANC is on or off.
The Focal & Naim app adds three ANC modes (Silent, Soft, Transparent), basic EQ, the Mimi hearing test, and control for the backlit logo illumination (on/dim/off).
Battery life is quoted at 30 hours over Bluetooth with ANC, 35 hours via the 3.5mm input, and 42 hours in USB‑DAC mode; a full charge takes about 1.5 hours, with a 15‑minute quick charge yielding roughly five hours of listening. One practical limitation to note: there’s no true passive mode, you need at least some charge for the headphoens to work.
Setup
Use was split primarily between two phones—an iPhone 15 Pro Max and a Galaxy S25 Ultra—with Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Qobuz as sources. Pairing was painless on both platforms, and multipoint worked as expected. The Mimi hearing test and resulting profile was used (I’m 54 years old and appreciate the compensation); EQ stayed off.
For desktop, the headphones ran from a Mac mini in two ways: direct USB‑C in DAC mode for hi‑rez playback and from a Motu M4 interface via the 3.5mm powered analog input. The flat-folding chassis traveled in the included rigid case without drama, and the leather headband and memory‑foam pads made long sessions easy. Noted constraints matched the spec sheet: no app access in DAC mode and no true passive fallback if the battery dies, though quick‑charge mitigates that risk.
Performance
The MG tuning reads neutral‑to‑natural with tight, extended bass, articulate mids, and crisp yet controlled treble. Compared with the original Bathys, detail retrieval and transient precision step up; the stage is wide for a closed‑back and imaging is locked‑in. ANC is effective, especially against low‑frequency rumble such as aircraft cabin noise, though it stops short of class‑leading suppression. USB‑DAC mode extracts the last measure of clarity and space; Bluetooth remains excellent for everyday use.
For readers who enjoy measurements and graphs, I have none to share. But I did go poking around and was impressed by third-party measurements comparing the original bathys to the Bathys MG. You can see the improvement in linearity. You are getting an audible and measurable upgrade with the MG version of the Bathys.
Music
Electronic and downtempo tracks showcased the new drivers’ speed and control. On GRiZ’s “Griztronics,” sub‑bass hits hard yet stays disciplined, while snares snap cleanly with no smear. Thievery Corporation’s “Lebanese Blonde” layers sitar and brushed drums without congestion; the sitar stays airy as the rhythm moves underneath. The Orb’s “Little Fluffy Clouds” spreads samples across the soundstage with clear separation, keeping pads distinct from the bass foundation.
Boards of Canada’s “Dayvan Cowboy” rises from quiet to full tilt with no veiling in the crescendo, and Bomb the Bass’s “Bug Powder Dust” delivers kick‑drum weight without bloat while preserving a clean, centered vocal.
Acoustic and ambient material highlighted low‑level detail and image stability. I appreciate how ANC provides a low noise floor to enjoy high fidelity music. Coil’s “Windowpane” reveals trippy ambient cues and delicate microdynamics in a stable holographic image; crescendos climb cleanly and the textured bass stays trim.
Hip‑hop sounded alive with drive: Talking Heads’ “Crosseyed and Painless” keeps polyrhythms discrete with a taut bass line and fixed guitar positions. Nas’s “N.Y. State of Mind” puts the vocal forward and textured with an unwavering center image. Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” opens with audible micro detail before hitting hard without pumping, and Prince Paul’s “Steady Slobbin’” maintains crisp dialogue and hats over the groove. Across genres the pattern repeats: clarity prevails, fast and controlled bass, precise imaging, and a convincing sense of space for a sealed design come together nicely.
Comfort and isolation contribute to the musical result. The leather headband and memory‑foam pads distribute weight evenly, and the stable seal contributes to bass extension while boosting isolation by passively keeping external noise at bay. Listeners sensitive to treble should note that MG’s top end is crisp but well‑managed; the absence of splash or grit mean long sessions are without fatigue. Crucially, the neutral balance holds steady across ANC modes.
Movies/Video
Movies reinforced the MG’s prowess at delivering both dynamics and intelligibility. I recently got an iPad pro 13″ with the OLED screen and have become a fan “personal” home theater. The combination of the iPad and Bathys MG is sublime. Final Destination: Bloodlines presents sharp jump‑scare transients that crack cleanly, while low‑frequency swells remain tight and deep. The Wild Robot highlights delicate foley and an airy score where even whispers stay intelligible. Gladiator II delivers weighty percussion and deep layering of effect, all rendered with firm control. Dialogue in Saturday Night sits centered and clear, even at low volume. In effects‑heavy fare like Venom: The Last Dance, bass hits hard without bloat, and effects stay clearly separated from speech.
Compared with a multi‑thousand‑dollar AVR and Atmos stack with multiple subs, Bathys MG can’t produce the same room‑shaking immersion. It is, however, markedly better than a typical soundbar at clarity, full‑range extension, bass control, and stable imaging. ANC proves valuable for late‑night viewing, tamping down HVAC and street noise so near‑silence passages and reverb fades remain audible. Transparency mode is available for quick check‑ins, though the tuning continuity across ANC modes is the headline here.
ANC & Modes
The ANC system is strongest against steady low‑frequency noise such as aircraft rumble, less aggressive than the top models from Sony and Bose on chatter and higher‑frequency transients. However, and crucially, tonal balance holds steady as you move among Silent, Soft, and Transparent. That consistency, combined with the tight low end and clean mids, maintains the headphone’s core character in various real‑world uses.
Conclusion
Bathys MG is for the discerning listener who wants wireless convenience but refuses to surrender hi‑fi priorities. The new magnesium drivers deliver a clear, disciplined, and spacious presentation that stands out among travel‑friendly headphones, and the ergonomics invite hours‑long sessions. ANC is effective enough for planes and transit without skewing the voicing, and USB‑DAC mode serves real high‑resolution gains when you can use it. The price is unapologetically high, and the lack of a true passive mode or app control while in DAC are meaningful caveats. Still, if sound quality and materials matter more than squeezing every feature box or chasing maximum ANC, Bathys MG earns its keep—and the Top Pick badge—for buyers seeking a luxury wireless experience that genuinely sounds like hi‑fi.
Specs
- Type: Closed‑back, wireless over‑ear with active noise canceling
- Drivers: 40mm magnesium M‑shaped, made in France
- Microphones: Eight total for ANC and voice pickup
- Bluetooth: 5.2, multipoint; codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive
- Wireless range: specified >15 meters
- USB‑DAC mode: up to 24‑bit/192kHz; app inaccessible in DAC; no iOS calling in DAC; no 176.4kHz support
- Analog input: 3.5mm powered (no true passive mode)
- App: Focal & Naim; EQ, Mimi hearing test, ANC modes (Silent/Soft/Transparent), logo dim/off
- Battery/cell: 1060mAh; 30h BT+ANC, 35h via 3.5mm, 42h in USB‑DAC; ~1.5h full charge; ~5h from 15‑minute quick charge
- Build: Magnesium/aluminum yoke, leather headband, memory‑foam earpads; flat‑folding
- Weight: 350g
- Accessories: Rigid case; 1.2m USB‑C cable; 1.2m 3.5mm cable
- Rated response: 10Hz–22kHz (±3dB); THD <0.2% @ 1kHz
