Has it really been 3 years? It’s actually been 28 months since Focal unleashed its Death Star Death Ray on the wireless headphone category with the launch of the Bathys wireless headphones and many of us still consider them to be one of the benchmarks in the category. You can read Will Jenning’s review here and learn even more about what makes these French wireless headphones so unique in our in-depth video review here. The Bathys Deep Black Edition do not feature any internal changes but those of us who lean towards the dark side might find them to be sleeker looking and less likely to garner weird questions while standing in line at Buc-ee’s.
That’s no moon. That’s a pair of wireless headphones
The industrial design of the Bathys has proven to be “hit or miss” with some consumers and we can certainly understand why that might be the case. The branding on the ear cups is not subtle and they look very expensive. If you commute on the Metro, NY Subway, TTC, London Tube, NJ Transit, or Brightline in Florida — they are going to attract some attention from those around you.
That’s not always a good thing.
Those who have invested $699 USD in the Bathys understood that going in — but the primary motivation was their sonic performance. The French wireless ANC headphones offer some of the best sound quality you are going to experience from any headphone in the category and that includes some of the more expensive options available from Bowers & Wilkins, T+A, and DALI.
Focal introduced the Bathys Dune colorway in 2023 and that option took off like House Harkonnen after Paul Atreides gutted Feyd-Rautha in Dune II.
It’s a gorgeous looking pair of headphones that blends a lot better with your surroundings while sitting in the beach in South Florida or Cape Town.
The Bathys Deep Black looks like something Frank Castle would unwind with after a long day and we’re perfectly good with that.
It doesn’t get much blacker than this
Just like Bathys Dune, Bathys Deep Black delivers detailed, precise, and dynamic hi-fi sound, thanks to Focal’s exclusive aluminum/magnesium speaker drivers, crafted in France. Its elegant and timeless finish is paired with distinctive design elements that have made the Bathys range a success: magnesium yoke, genuine leather headband, rounded ear cup motifs, and an illuminated Focal logo (if desired).
The combination creates a striking and refined contrast. The ergonomic ear pads, which are easily replaceable, provide excellent isolation and comfort for long listening sessions.
For full freedom of use and customization, Bathys offers 30 hours of wireless listening, 35 hours with a wired connection, and 42 hours in USB-DAC mode (cables included). An additional 5 hours can be obtained in just 15 minutes, thanks to its fast-charging function.
Additional features include access to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice assistants, as well as custom settings via the Focal & Naim app (adjustable equalizer, individual hearing tests).
With three noise-cancelling modes—Silent, Soft, and Transparent—listeners can immerse themselves in their music without distractions, no matter their surroundings. The built-in microphone system further reduces unwanted background noise, ensuring total audio immersion.
The Bottom Line
Focal has not indicated that an updated version of the Bathys is on the horizon — but that could always change. For those who have not yet considered the award-winning wireless ANC headphones that smashed through the performance ceiling, the new Bathys Deep Black iteration is definitely worth checking out.
Price & Availability
The Focal Bathys Deep Black Edition will be available for $699 at Amazon — the same price as the existing colors.
For more information: focal.com
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