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

Focal Bathys · Midnight Black

Over-ear · 2022

92
/ 100
From $799
VS
Sennheiser HD 800S wins by 3
Sennheiser HD 800S — Over-ear · 2016
Sennheiser

Sennheiser HD 800S

Over-ear · 2016

95
/ 100
From $1,699
Specdex verdict

Sennheiser HD 800S takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Focal Bathys · Midnight Black lands at 92 and Sennheiser HD 800S at 95. That puts Sennheiser HD 800S ahead by 3 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 Sennheiser HD 800S if…

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

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

Sound quality

Sennheiser HD 800S

Tuning, detail, and staging

Sennheiser HD 800S leads on sound (95 vs 92).

Noise cancelling

Sennheiser HD 800S

ANC strength for commute and travel

Sennheiser HD 800S leads on anc (93 vs 90).

Comfort

Sennheiser HD 800S

Long-session wearability

Sennheiser HD 800S leads on comfort (94 vs 91).

Value for money

Focal Bathys · Midnight Black

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Focal Bathys · Midnight Black more score per dollar ($799 vs $1,699).

Focal Bathys · Midnight Black 92
vs
95 Sennheiser HD 800S

Score breakdown

Focal Bathys · Midnight Black
92
anc 90
sound 92
comfort 91
battery 82
features 88
Sennheiser HD 800S
95
anc 93
sound 95
comfort 94
battery 82
features 91

Specs side-by-side

Focal Bathys · Midnight Black versus Sennheiser HD 800S — full spec comparison
Spec Focal Bathys · Midnight Black Sennheiser HD 800S
Type
Over-ear
Over-ear
Release year
2022
2016

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

Sennheiser HD 800S

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

FAQ: Focal Bathys · Midnight Black vs Sennheiser HD 800S

Which is better, Focal Bathys · Midnight Black or Sennheiser HD 800S? +

Sennheiser HD 800S scores 95 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. 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 Sennheiser HD 800S worth the price? +

At $1,699, Sennheiser HD 800S delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in sound.

Does Focal Bathys · Midnight Black or Sennheiser HD 800S 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 Sennheiser HD 800S? +

Sennheiser HD 800S — leads on sound (95 vs 92). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Focal Bathys · Midnight Black or Sennheiser HD 800S? +

Sennheiser HD 800S — leads on anc (93 vs 90). ANC strength for commute and travel.