Summary of Reddit Comments on Focal Bathys

Overall Impression

• Congrats and enjoy the contentment! It's a great feeling in this hobby to find the right headphones.
• They look awesome, and some users found wireless endgame with another model due to the high price.
• Some users prefer IEMs for on-the-go use rather than over-ear headphones.

Pros of Focal Bathys:

Design and Features

• Portable ANC Focal headphones with detailed design elements like genuine leather, light metals, and an asymmetric pattern on the covers.
• Multiple ANC modes: "Silent", "Soft", and an ambient sound (transparent) mode.
• DAC mode for best sound quality: Built-in 24-bit/192kHz DAC for high-resolution audio output from a computer via USB.
• Battery life: Lasts up to 42 hours in DAC mode, fast charging via USB-C (5 hours after 15 minutes), and 30-35 hours with Bluetooth ANC.

Sound Quality and Performance

• Users appreciate the sound quality, praising the "delicious bass, beautifully resolved mid-range, and precise treble."
• ANC and noise reduction: Eight microphones for handling ambient noise precisely.

Comfort and Convenience

• Comfortable wear compared to some other brands, and nice range of inputs including Bluetooth and USB.
• Attractive design with an appealing look and finish.

Cons of Focal Bathys:

Sound Quality and Performance

• Some users mention compression issues leading to ear fatigue, treble peaks, and unforgiving track playback.
• Loud noise floor in quiet environments affecting the music experience negatively.
• Treble quality: Some users find the treble to be too strong leading to ear fatigue.
• EQ challenges: Users find it difficult to EQ songs properly due to the headphone's characteristics.

Build Quality and Comfort

• Build quality concerns such as the buttons being toy-like plastic, ear cup material feeling cheap, and poor comfort levels.
• Noise issues with low volume especially noticeable in an office or library setting, affecting the music experience.

Other Features

• Battery considerations: Some users mention non-replaceable batteries as a downside.
• Awkward button layout and volume control issues in DAC mode.
• Adverse reactions to the design, with some experiencing trypophobia triggers.

In conclusion, the Focal Bathys is praised for its sound quality, unique design, and features like DAC mode and multiple ANC modes. However, it faces criticism for its compression issues, noise floor, build quality, and comfort concerns. Ultimately, user preferences and specific use cases will determine whether the Focal Bathys is a suitable choice for each individual.