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Focal Bathys · Midnight Black — Over-ear · 2022
Focal

Focal Bathys · Midnight Black

Over-ear · 2022

92
/ 100
From $799
VS
Focal Bathys · Midnight Black wins by 4
Focal Celestee — Closed-back
Focal

Focal Celestee

Closed-back

88
/ 100
From $999
Specdex verdict

Focal Bathys · Midnight Black takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Focal Bathys · Midnight Black lands at 92 and Focal Celestee at 88. That puts Focal Bathys · Midnight Black ahead by 4 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Focal Bathys · Midnight Black if…

  • ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • ✓Premium build
  • ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)

Pick Focal Celestee if…

  • ✓Reference-level detail
  • ✓Well-regarded in audiophile community
  • ✓Long-term ownership appeal
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Sound quality

Focal Bathys · Midnight Black

Tuning, detail, and staging

Focal Bathys · Midnight Black leads on sound (92 vs 88).

Noise cancelling

Focal Bathys · Midnight Black

ANC strength for commute and travel

Focal Bathys · Midnight Black leads on anc (90 vs 0).

Comfort

Focal Bathys · Midnight Black

Long-session wearability

Focal Bathys · Midnight Black leads on comfort (91 vs 88).

Value for money

Focal Bathys · Midnight Black

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Focal Bathys · Midnight Black more score per dollar ($799 vs $999).

Focal Bathys · Midnight Black 92
vs
88 Focal Celestee

Score breakdown

Focal Bathys · Midnight Black
92
anc 90
sound 92
comfort 91
battery 82
features 88
Focal Celestee
88
anc 0
sound 88
comfort 88
battery 100
features 50

Specs side-by-side

Focal Bathys · Midnight Black versus Focal Celestee — full spec comparison
Spec Focal Bathys · Midnight Black Focal Celestee
Type
Over-ear
Closed-back
Release year
2022
—

Focal Bathys · Midnight Black

Pros
  • +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • +Premium build
  • +Active noise cancellation (most models)
Cons
  • −Battery varies by codec
  • −Some are Bluetooth-only
  • −Price creep vs previous gen

Focal Celestee

Pros
  • +Reference-level detail
  • +Well-regarded in audiophile community
  • +Long-term ownership appeal
Cons
  • −Requires amplifier (most)
  • −No active noise cancellation
  • −Impractical for commuting

FAQ: Focal Bathys · Midnight Black vs Focal Celestee

Which is better, Focal Bathys · Midnight Black or Focal Celestee? +

Focal Bathys · Midnight Black scores 92 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 4. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Focal Bathys · Midnight Black worth the price? +

At $799, Focal Bathys · Midnight Black delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in sound.

Is Focal Celestee worth the price? +

At $999, Focal Celestee delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in battery.

Does Focal Bathys · Midnight Black or Focal Celestee last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for sound quality, Focal Bathys · Midnight Black or Focal Celestee? +

Focal Bathys · Midnight Black — leads on sound (92 vs 88). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Focal Bathys · Midnight Black or Focal Celestee? +

Focal Bathys · Midnight Black — leads on anc (90 vs 0). ANC strength for commute and travel.