Main trade-off
Focal Bathys
The driver and ANC microphone system differ from MG. We cannot quantify the resulting listening difference for your room or ears.
Head-to-head
Focal Bathys vs Bathys MG: MG changes the acoustics, not the travel and call limits
The short answer
Start with original Bathys if its fit and sound already suit you and its current offer is better. Consider MG after an audition if you prefer its sound or revised noise isolation. Both weigh 350 g, use the same-sized case and require power even with the analog cable. MG does not fix jack-mode calls or USB calls on iOS, and we have no measured noise-cancellation advantage.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
A shared-office problem needs the right kind of microphone improvement
If conversation at the next desk breaks your concentration, MG’s revised noise-cancellation microphones give you a reason to compare it in person. Focal describes improved isolation from surrounding voices. That concerns what reaches your ears. It does not establish that your colleagues will hear less background noise through your call microphone. Someone replacing Bathys because remote callers complain could spend the premium and still have no verified solution to that problem. Compare both listening isolation and an actual call before making this your reason to upgrade.
What this is based on
Manufacturer description of revised ANC crossed with two different shared-office problems. No measured attenuation, caller-quality result or guaranteed speech blocking is available.
Main trade-off
Focal Bathys MG
The upgrade keeps the same weight, case dimensions and 30-hour Bluetooth ANC claim. Its revised ANC does not establish better outgoing call clarity.
Focal Bathys
- Choose it for
- Its fit and sound suit you, and the current total offer is lower than MG.
- You mainly want the shared Bluetooth, USB music and physical-control features.
- Main trade-off
- The driver and ANC microphone system differ from MG. We cannot quantify the resulting listening difference for your room or ears.
Focal Bathys MG
- Choose it for
- An audition confirms that you prefer the MG sound or isolation enough to justify the price difference shown by the retailer.
- You specifically want the magnesium-driver version and accept the unchanged travel and call restrictions.
- Main trade-off
- The upgrade keeps the same weight, case dimensions and 30-hour Bluetooth ANC claim. Its revised ANC does not establish better outgoing call clarity.
About this comparison
Focal Bathys vs Bathys MG for shared-home listening, travel and work calls. Find what the premium changes and which everyday restrictions remain the same.
A current original Bathys offer and the MG are a real upgrade decision. The useful question is whether the changed acoustics address the reason you are unhappy, since several daily limits are identical.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
You need a smaller case than original Bathys
Both list the same supplied case dimensions.
- Focal Bathys
- Not suitable
- Focal Bathys MG
- Not suitable
You need a headphone microphone through an analog cable
The microphone is inactive in jack mode on both.
- Focal Bathys
- Not suitable
- Focal Bathys MG
- Not suitable
You want to compare isolation from nearby conversation
MG has revised ANC, but the useful difference needs an audition in relevant noise.
- Focal Bathys
- Depends
- Focal Bathys MG
- Depends
You want analog music after the headphone battery is empty
Both require power for every playback mode.
- Focal Bathys
- Not suitable
- Focal Bathys MG
- Not suitable
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
A shared-office problem needs the right kind of microphone improvement
If conversation at the next desk breaks your concentration, MG’s revised noise-cancellation microphones give you a reason to compare it in person. Focal describes improved isolation from surrounding voices. That concerns what reaches your ears. It does not establish that your colleagues will hear less background noise through your call microphone. Someone replacing Bathys because remote callers complain could spend the premium and still have no verified solution to that problem. Compare both listening isolation and an actual call before making this your reason to upgrade.
How we reached this conclusion
Manufacturer description of revised ANC crossed with two different shared-office problems. No measured attenuation, caller-quality result or guaranteed speech blocking is available.
A cable-based work routine keeps the same switch at meeting time
Both support two connected Bluetooth devices, so laptop music and phone calls can share a wireless routine. Plugging in the analog lead changes that arrangement. The manuals say it disconnects Bluetooth, and the headphone microphone is inactive in jack mode. USB calls are supported on compatible standard USB devices, but both FAQs exclude iOS calls. MG therefore does not remove the need to choose your call route before a meeting. If the current inconvenience is changing connections when a call arrives, the upgrade does not document a fix.
How we reached this conclusion
Exact connection-mode restrictions crossed with alternating music, laptop meetings and mobile calls. Multipoint is not simultaneous mixing, and compatible USB support is not universal console or phone support.
The more expensive pair does not reclaim space in a full bag
A commuter carrying a laptop, lunch and headphones gets the same documented 24 × 21 × 7 cm case envelope with either model. Each headphone weighs 350 g, and each needs battery power even for analog playback. If you are replacing original Bathys because the case is awkward or you keep forgetting to charge, MG preserves both constraints. It can still be worth choosing for a listening preference you have actually heard. Those practical frustrations need a different solution, not an assumption that the newer model is more portable.
How we reached this conclusion
Identical stated case dimensions, mass, power requirements and Bluetooth ANC maximum. Case dimensions describe an outer envelope, not usable bag volume. No comfort or durability equivalence is claimed.
Check your own setup
Which headphones work with the way you listen?
Start with the way you listen. USB charging is not the same as USB audio, and some headphones need power even with a cable. These choices are examples until you apply yours.
Focal Bathys
Meets these checksBluetooth listening.
Focal Bathys MG
Meets these checksBluetooth listening.
Battery figures are manufacturer claims for the stated mode, not measured travel time. Volume, codec, calls and battery age change runtime. Closed earcups can still leak sound. Weight alone does not predict comfort. USB audio needs a compatible source and cable. This check does not assess sound quality, microphone quality or amplifier power.
Choice A
Focal, FOAHALNOMB0B800 Deep Black
Bathys
Its fit and sound suit you, and the current total offer is lower than MG.
- Best matched use
- Its fit and sound suit you, and the current total offer is lower than MG.
Checked facts
- Physical travel load: 350 g, case 24 × 21 × 7 cm
- Calls by cable: Jack mic off, compatible USB calls except iOS
- Playback without charging: Power required, up to 30 h Bluetooth ANC
- Driver revision: Aluminum and magnesium driver
Choice B
Focal, Bathys MG Graphen Grey
Bathys MG
An audition confirms that you prefer the MG sound or isolation enough to justify the price difference shown by the retailer.
- Best matched use
- An audition confirms that you prefer the MG sound or isolation enough to justify the price difference shown by the retailer.
Checked facts
- Physical travel load: 350 g, case 24 × 21 × 7 cm
- Calls by cable: Jack mic off, compatible USB calls except iOS
- Playback without charging: Power required, up to 30 h Bluetooth ANC
- Driver revision: Magnesium driver
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Focal Bathys | Focal Bathys MG | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical travel load | 350 g, case 24 × 21 × 7 cm | 350 g, case 24 × 21 × 7 cm | Paying more does not reduce the documented weight or case envelope. |
| Calls by cable | Jack mic off, compatible USB calls except iOS | Jack mic off, compatible USB calls except iOS | The same connection choice can interrupt a work-call routine. |
| Playback without charging | Power required, up to 30 h Bluetooth ANC | Power required, up to 30 h Bluetooth ANC | Neither analog cable rescues an empty headphone battery. |
| Driver revision | Aluminum and magnesium driver | Magnesium driver | Audition the sound. The driver material does not establish which presentation you will prefer. |
| Nearby conversation | Original noise-cancellation system | Revised ANC microphones, claimed improvement in surrounding-voice isolation | This targets sound reaching your ears. It does not establish clearer outgoing calls or a measured isolation advantage. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Focal Bathys
- Battery replacement needs professional service. Keep charge available for analog listening.
If you choose Focal Bathys MG
- Battery replacement also needs professional service. Use correct-model pads rather than assuming original Bathys spares fit.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
You prefer MG after a relevant listening comparison
Choose Focal Bathys MG. That can justify its current premium, while the practical limits remain.
You are satisfied with original Bathys and its offer is lower
Choose Focal Bathys. The shared connection and travel features may already meet the job.
What matters in practice
Before you choose
You want a better headphone, but the reason you replace it may be a work or travel inconvenience the upgrade keeps.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- No measured sound, ANC, microphone, comfort or reliability winner is established. Focal’s FAQ and sheets disagree on DAC endurance, so that figure is not used to rank them.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current headphones comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
See the checked facts and calculation notes
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Bathys |
|
| |
| Focal Bathys MG |
|
|
Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Focal Bathys
Its fit and sound suit you, and the current total offer is lower than MG.
You mainly want the shared Bluetooth, USB music and physical-control features.
See price & reviews on AmazonFocal Bathys MG
An audition confirms that you prefer the MG sound or isolation enough to justify the price difference shown by the retailer.
You specifically want the magnesium-driver version and accept the unchanged travel and call restrictions.
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.