When “premium wireless” still leaves you reaching for a wire, something’s off.
Focal’s new Bathys MG headphones look like a dream on paper. They come packed with premium materials, better drivers, and improved noise cancellation, all wrapped in a sleek, high-end design.
But for $1,299, you’d expect the full package. And when you dig into the details, it’s clear that some important features are missing.
What’s New in the Bathys MG
The Bathys MG arrives with several notable upgrades over Focal’s previous model.
Here’s what’s new in these premium wireless headphones set to release in April 2025:
- All-magnesium drivers for cleaner sound: The new 40mm magnesium drivers replace the old aluminum-magnesium ones. They promise clearer highs and tighter bass, built in Focal’s French workshops. This is the main audio upgrade and brings the Bathys MG closer to the level of Focal’s more premium wired models.
- Better noise cancelation: ANC gets a boost with new digital mics, fixing a major flaw in the original Bathys. The three familiar modes (Silent, Soft, and Transparent) are still here. And, you can tweak them through the app. It’s not class-leading, but it’s definitely better.
- More comfort, new look: The MG adds a warm Chestnut finish, plus improved padding in the earpads and headband. The frame mixes aluminum and magnesium, keeping it lightweight and durable. It’s designed for long sessions and looks more refined than the first version.
- Battery life stays strong: 30 hours over Bluetooth with ANC, 35 wired, and 42 in USB-DAC mode. A 15-minute charge gives you 5 more hours. No real upgrades here, but no complaints either.
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2 with multipoint capability for connecting to multiple devices simultaneously. These also include USB-DAC mode offering high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/192kHz.
What the Bathys MG Are Still Lacking
For all the upgrades Focal packed into the Bathys MG, there are still a couple of big things missing—especially if you’re the kind of listener who pays close attention to audio quality.
First up is LDAC, a Bluetooth audio codec made by Sony.
It’s a favorite among audiophiles because it can transmit music at a much higher bitrate (up to 990 kbps). That means less compression and more detail in your music.
A lot of premium headphones at much lower prices already support it, including models from Sony, Sennheiser, Audeze, and Bowers & Wilkins.
But the Bathys MG? It skips LDAC entirely. Instead, it only supports:
- AAC (great for Apple users, but still compressed)
- aptX and aptX Adaptive (better than AAC, but still not lossless)
- SBC, the most basic Bluetooth codec, which kicks in if nothing else works
That might not sound like a huge deal at first, but it adds up.
When you’re using Bluetooth, you’re not getting the full potential of these headphones. The higher frequencies start to lose their sparkle, soundstage feels a bit smaller, and the finer details in complex songs can get a little blurry.
For a $1,299 pair of wireless headphones, that’s a tough pill to swallow.
Plus, as a ‘premium wireless headphones’ targeted for audiophiles released in 2025, the Bathys MG skipped adding the new WiFi audio transmission.
This is the feature that would’ve allowed for truly lossless audio, streamed wirelessly with no compression at all. And it’s not just about sound quality. WiFi audio can actually be more power-efficient too.
To be clear, the Bathys MG can play hi-res audio if you use the USB-DAC mode. In that case, you’ll get full 24-bit/192kHz resolution.
But, that requires a wired connection. So while the wired mode sounds fantastic, it sort of defeats the purpose of buying wireless headphones in the first place.
Why It Matters
At $1,299, the Bathys MG sit in a strange spot. They’re too expensive for casual listeners, but also missing the key features that serious audiophiles now expect. That’s where the problem starts.
Plenty of headphones in the $300 to $700 range already support LDAC, like the Sony WH-1000XM5, Sennheiser Momentum 4, and Audeze Mobius.
These are well-respected models that offer high-quality Bluetooth audio at a much lower cost.
Even at the higher end, you’ve got headphones like the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 and Mark Levinson No. 5909, both of which support LDAC and are still cheaper than the Bathys MG.
And if you’re after cutting-edge tech, the Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 brings in WiFi audio, something Focal’s new release doesn’t even attempt.
This wouldn’t be such a big deal if Focal wasn’t known for chasing perfection. Audiophiles expect a lot from the brand, especially when it comes to sound. And while the Bathys MG deliver in terms of build quality and wired performance, the wireless experience falls behind.
At this price point, missing out on both LDAC and WiFi support feels like a step backwards.