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Focal Bathys — Over-ear · 2022
Focal

Focal Bathys

Over-ear · 2022

92
/ 100
From $799
VS
Bose QuietComfort Ultra wins by 1
Bose QuietComfort Ultra — CustomTune ANC · Immersive Audio · aptX Adaptive
Bose

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

CustomTune ANC · Immersive Audio · aptX Adaptive

93
/ 100
From $429
Specdex verdict

Bose QuietComfort Ultra takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Focal Bathys lands at 92 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra at 93. That puts Bose QuietComfort Ultra ahead by 1 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Focal Bathys if…

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

Pick Bose QuietComfort Ultra if…

  • ✓Best comfort in class
  • ✓Excellent ANC
  • ✓Immersive Audio spatial feature
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Winner by scenario

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

Sound quality

Tie

Tuning, detail, and staging

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Noise cancelling

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

ANC strength for commute and travel

Bose QuietComfort Ultra leads on anc (96 vs 90).

Comfort

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

Long-session wearability

Bose QuietComfort Ultra leads on comfort (98 vs 91).

Value for money

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Bose QuietComfort Ultra more score per dollar ($429 vs $799).

Focal Bathys 92
vs
93 Bose QuietComfort Ultra

Score breakdown

Focal Bathys
92
anc 90
sound 92
comfort 91
battery 82
features 88
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
93
anc 96
sound 92
comfort 98
battery 86
features 90

Specs side-by-side

Focal Bathys versus Bose QuietComfort Ultra — full spec comparison
Spec Focal Bathys Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Type
Over-ear
—
Release year
2022
—
Driver
—
35 mm dynamic
Battery
—
24 h (Immersive Audio off) / 18 h (on)
Weight
—
253 g
Codecs
—
SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive

Focal Bathys

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

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

Pros
  • +Best comfort in class
  • +Excellent ANC
  • +Immersive Audio spatial feature
Cons
  • −Bose app fiddly
  • −No USB-C audio (3.5 mm + Bluetooth only)
  • −No LDAC support

FAQ: Focal Bathys vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra

Which is better, Focal Bathys or Bose QuietComfort Ultra? +

Bose QuietComfort Ultra scores 93 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 1. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Focal Bathys worth the price? +

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

Is Bose QuietComfort Ultra worth the price? +

At $429, Bose QuietComfort Ultra delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in comfort.

Does Focal Bathys or Bose QuietComfort Ultra 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 noise cancelling, Focal Bathys or Bose QuietComfort Ultra? +

Bose QuietComfort Ultra — leads on anc (96 vs 90). ANC strength for commute and travel.

Which is better for comfort, Focal Bathys or Bose QuietComfort Ultra? +

Bose QuietComfort Ultra — leads on comfort (98 vs 91). Long-session wearability.