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Focal Bathys — Over-ear · 2022
Focal

Focal Bathys

Over-ear · 2022

92
/ 100
From $799
VS
Focal Bathys wins by 2
Sony WH-1000XM4 · Midnight Black — Over-ear · 2020
Sony

Sony WH-1000XM4 · Midnight Black

Over-ear · 2020

90
/ 100
From $349
Specdex verdict

Focal Bathys takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Focal Bathys lands at 92 and Sony WH-1000XM4 · Midnight Black at 90. That puts Focal Bathys ahead by 2 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 Sony WH-1000XM4 · Midnight Black 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

Focal Bathys

Tuning, detail, and staging

Focal Bathys leads on sound (92 vs 90).

Noise cancelling

Focal Bathys

ANC strength for commute and travel

Focal Bathys leads on anc (90 vs 88).

Comfort

Focal Bathys

Long-session wearability

Focal Bathys leads on comfort (91 vs 89).

Value for money

Sony WH-1000XM4 · Midnight Black

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Sony WH-1000XM4 · Midnight Black more score per dollar ($349 vs $799).

Focal Bathys 92
vs
90 Sony WH-1000XM4 · Midnight Black

Score breakdown

Focal Bathys
92
anc 90
sound 92
comfort 91
battery 82
features 88
Sony WH-1000XM4 · Midnight Black
90
anc 88
sound 90
comfort 89
battery 82
features 86

Specs side-by-side

Focal Bathys versus Sony WH-1000XM4 · Midnight Black — full spec comparison
Spec Focal Bathys Sony WH-1000XM4 · Midnight Black
Type
Over-ear
Over-ear
Release year
2022
2020

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

Sony WH-1000XM4 · 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

FAQ: Focal Bathys vs Sony WH-1000XM4 · Midnight Black

Which is better, Focal Bathys or Sony WH-1000XM4 · Midnight Black? +

Focal Bathys scores 92 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. 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 Sony WH-1000XM4 · Midnight Black worth the price? +

At $349, Sony WH-1000XM4 · Midnight Black delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in sound.

Does Focal Bathys or Sony WH-1000XM4 · Midnight Black 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 Sony WH-1000XM4 · Midnight Black? +

Focal Bathys — leads on sound (92 vs 90). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Focal Bathys or Sony WH-1000XM4 · Midnight Black? +

Focal Bathys — leads on anc (90 vs 88). ANC strength for commute and travel.