Focal Bathys
Over-ear · 2022
HiFiMan Susvara · Rose Gold
Planar magnetic
HiFiMan Susvara · Rose Gold takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Focal Bathys lands at 92 and HiFiMan Susvara · Rose Gold at 96. That puts HiFiMan Susvara · Rose Gold ahead by 4 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 HiFiMan Susvara · Rose Gold if…
- ✓Reference-level detail
- ✓Well-regarded in audiophile community
- ✓Long-term ownership appeal
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testSound quality
HiFiMan Susvara · Rose GoldTuning, detail, and staging
HiFiMan Susvara · Rose Gold leads on sound (96 vs 92).
Noise cancelling
Focal BathysANC strength for commute and travel
Focal Bathys leads on anc (90 vs 0).
Comfort
Focal BathysLong-session wearability
Focal Bathys leads on comfort (91 vs 88).
Value for money
Focal BathysSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Focal Bathys more score per dollar ($799 vs $5,999).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Focal Bathys | HiFiMan Susvara · Rose Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-ear | Planar magnetic |
| Release year | 2022 | — |
Focal Bathys
- +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- +Premium build
- +Active noise cancellation (most models)
- −Battery varies by codec
- −Some are Bluetooth-only
- −Price creep vs previous gen
HiFiMan Susvara · Rose Gold
- +Reference-level detail
- +Well-regarded in audiophile community
- +Long-term ownership appeal
- −Requires amplifier (most)
- −No active noise cancellation
- −Impractical for commuting
FAQ: Focal Bathys vs HiFiMan Susvara · Rose Gold
Which is better, Focal Bathys or HiFiMan Susvara · Rose Gold? +
HiFiMan Susvara · Rose Gold scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 4. 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 HiFiMan Susvara · Rose Gold worth the price? +
At $5,999, HiFiMan Susvara · Rose Gold delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in battery.
Does Focal Bathys or HiFiMan Susvara · Rose Gold 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 or HiFiMan Susvara · Rose Gold? +
HiFiMan Susvara · Rose Gold — leads on sound (96 vs 92). Tuning, detail, and staging.
Which is better for noise cancelling, Focal Bathys or HiFiMan Susvara · Rose Gold? +
Focal Bathys — leads on anc (90 vs 0). ANC strength for commute and travel.