The high-end wireless headphone category needed a bit of a shake-up in 2025 and it’s not a surprise that Focal has ended Q1 with the launch of the flagship Bathys MG. The French manufacturer of high-end loudspeakers for the home, marine, automotive, and CI categories delivered a rather powerful roundhouse kick back in 2022 with the introduction of the Bathys ANC wireless headphones. The Bathys earned dozens of “Best Wireless Headphone” awards that year from almost every major tech publication and its recognition was well deserved.
The advancement in performance put everyone on notice; Bowers & Wilkins, Mark Levinson, T+A, Noble, and DALI were forced to introduce high-end models into the market and all of them did offer something different than their French counterpart. Competition is always a good thing when it forces others to innovate and often something better for less. Or more in the case of the T+A Solitaire T and DALI IO-12.
Sonos and Dyson also jumped into the deep end of the pool but the market reception was rather lukewarm.
The Bathys earned another award from us in 2024 for the simple reason that nothing new really challenged its position in the category. Focal held firm and introduced the Dune and Deep Black colorways and did update the headphones with firmware updates, but the hardware has remained the same.
The Focal Bathys MG enter the ring at $1,299 USD ($1,699 CDN), which represents a rather substantial increase over the standard Bathys, which currently retail for $699 USD. An additional $600 is a lot of money for consumers who are looking at high-end wireless headphones, and the new iteration will have to be category-leading to make the expenditure a smart upgrade.
The Bathys MG
To take things up a notch, Focal has now added a new model in 2025, the Bathys MG. The MG moniker is shared with Focal’s Clear MG wired headphones. The Bathys MG also incorporates the same M-shaped magnesium dome diaphragm originally introduced in the Clear MG as well as the same chestnut/dark copper colorway. The M-shaped dome of the MG version brought significant sound improvements to the original Clear, so we expect a similar leap in performance with the new Bathys MG.
On the inside, the Bathys MG incorporates Bluetooth 5.2 and improved ANC while on the outside construction is aluminum, magnesium, and leather for a more luxurious look while still providing durability. The headband has been re-engineered (and features real leather) for a lighter feel, and new memory foam cushions provide greater comfort despite the fact that the weight remains roughly the same as the original.
The Bathys MG also sports a new backlit flame logo, magnesium yoke, and aluminum bracket.
There are also new digital microphones to optimize ANC ensuring effective control over ambient noise and improved soundproofing of voices.
The Bathys MG provides up to 30 hours of listening time in wireless mode, 35 hours in jack mode, and 42 hours in USB-DAC mode. It does support quick charging as well so a 15 minute charge nets 5 hours of additional listening.
The USB-DAC mode provides 24-bit/192kHz decoding and supports most common file formats and streaming services.In addition to the EQ which offers both presets and customizable options, the app also provides a hearing test and can customize the listening experience for the user.
The Bathys MG also has a chestnut finish, following the design of Clear MG.
The Bathys MG is shipped in bamboo pulp packaging. Made from plant fibers such as bamboo and sugar cane bagasse, this 100% natural, FSC-certified material complies with the most stringent environmental standards.
Comparison
| Bathys MG (2025) | Bathys (2022) | |
| Price | $1,299 | $699 |
| Product Type | Closed-back wireless headphones with active noise-cancelling | Closed-back wireless headphones with active noise-cancelling |
| Bluetooth Technology | Version 5.2 with Multipoint | Version 5.1 with Multipoint |
| Bluetooth Range | >15m | >15m |
| Bluetooth Frequency Band | 2402mHz – 2480mHz | 2402mHz – 2480mHz |
| Audio Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX |
| USB-DAC Mode | Up to 24-bit/192kHz | Up to 24-bit/192kHz |
| Battery Life | 30h Bluetooth® Noise Cancelling 35h Jack mode 42h USB-DAC mode | 30h Bluetooth® Noise Cancelling 35h Jack mode 42h USB-DAC mode |
| Fast Charging | 15 minutes = 5 hours of listening time | 15 minutes = 5 hours of listening time |
| Google Fast Pair | Yes | Yes |
| Speaker Drivers | 1-5/8″ (40mm) Magnesium speaker drivers with ‘M’-shaped domes, made in France | 1-5/8″ (40mm) Aluminium-Magnesium ‘M’-shaped dome, made in France |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz to 22kHz | 15Hz to 22kHz |
| Harmonic Distortion Rate (THD) | <0.2% @1kHz | <0.2% @1kHz |
| Microphones | 8 | 8 |
| Weight | 0.77 lbs (350g) | 0.77 lbs (350g) |
| Carrying case (supplied) | 9-½ x 8-1/4 x 2 ¾-inches (24 x 21 x 7cm) | 9-7/16 x 8-1/4 x 2-¾-inches (24 x 21 x 7cm) |
| Control Application | Focal & Naim App, iOS and Android compatible | Focal & Naim App, iOS and Android compatible |
| Voice Assistant | Not indicated | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Connections | Bluetooth / 3.5mm Jack / USB-C connector | Bluetooth / 3.5mm Jack / USB-C connector |
| Included Accessories | Rigid carrying case 2 cables: 1.2m (3.9ft) Jack cabled., 1.2m (3.9ft) USB-C cable Quick start guide | Rigid carrying case 3 cables: 1 x 4ft (1.2m) Jack 1/8″ (3.5mm) cable; 1 x 4ft (1.2m) USB-C® cable |
The Bottom Line
The Bathys MG doesn’t replace the original Bathys (the Deep Black color option for those headphones was just introduced a short time ago), but instead slots into the line-up above it both in performance and price. The Bathys will continue to occupy the territory in the middle tier where it competes against the models mentioned earlier while the new Bathys MG expands into higher-end territory.
Retailing for $1299, the Bathys MG will need to prove itself, but with Focal’s history and capability, we suspect that it will live up to the challenge. Stay tuned for our forthcoming review.
Price & Availability
The Focal Bathys MG Wireless Headphones are available now for pre-order at $1,299 at Crutchfield ($1,699 CAD) and will start shipping May 2025.
The current Bathys is available for $699 at Amazon.
For more information: focal.com
Note: This article was written in collaboration with W. Jennings.
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