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Focal Bathys vs Noble Audio FoKus Apollo

The Bathys is the more complete travel headphone: USB-DAC mode up to 24-bit/192kHz, aptX Adaptive, a rigid case and a 3.5mm cable in the box, and Focal's 40mm aluminium-magnesium drivers give a detailed, dynamic sound that reviewers consistently praise. The FoKus Apollo is the better pick for long-haul battery life and for anyone who wants a planar hybrid driver and a removable boom mic for calls. Build is premium on both, but the Bathys has a longer track record and far more owner feedback; the Apollo's rating rests on a small number of reviews.

  • Choose the Focal Bathys if you want wired high-resolution listening through USB-C, a full accessory kit and a proven, well-reviewed sound.
  • Choose the Noble Audio FoKus Apollo if battery life and a boom mic for calls matter more than a USB-DAC mode.

Prices

  • Focal Bathys: $509.99 at eBay (last seen Nov 8)
  • Noble Audio FoKus Apollo: $649.00 at Audio46 Headphone Store (last seen Nov 9)
  • Difference: the Focal Bathys is $139.01 cheaper than the Noble Audio FoKus Apollo at the latest prices (Nov 8 and Nov 9)
Focal
Focal Bathys

Focal Bathys

4.6(666 ratings)
$509.99at eBayChecked Nov 8
See all prices and details
Visit eBay

Store links may earn us a commission.

Pros
  • USB-DAC mode for high-resolution wired listening
  • Detailed, dynamic Focal sound with strong reviews
  • Fast charging and a full accessory kit
  • Multipoint and Google Fast Pair
Cons
  • Battery life is well behind the Apollo
  • No LDAC or aptX HD
  • No boom mic for calls
Noble Audio
Noble Audio FoKus Apollo

Noble Audio FoKus Apollo

4.8(17 ratings)
$649.00at Audio46 Headphone StoreChecked 17 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Audio46 Headphone Store
Pros
  • Very long battery life, with or without ANC
  • Hybrid planar driver adds clarity in mids and highs
  • LDAC and aptX HD support
  • Removable boom mic and replaceable earpads
Cons
  • No USB-DAC mode
  • Slow to charge compared with the Bathys
  • Few owner reviews so far
  • No water-resistance rating

What separates them

Focal BathysNoble Audio FoKus Apollo
Driver designSingle 40mm aluminium-magnesium dome driverHybrid 40mm dynamic plus 14.5mm planar magnetic
Battery life with ANCUp to 30 hoursUp to 60 hours
Wired high-res modeUSB-DAC up to 24-bit/192kHzNo USB-DAC mode; wired via USB-C or cable
Bluetooth and codecsBluetooth 5.1, aptX Adaptive, AAC, SBCBluetooth 5.3, LDAC, aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC
Microphone for callsBuilt-in mics onlyBuilt-in mics plus removable boom mic
Charging speed1.5 hours to full, 5 hours playback in 15 minutesAbout 3 hours to full
In the boxRigid case, 3.5mm cable, USB-C cableRemovable boom mic
Owner feedback4.6 from 666 ratings4.8 from 17 ratings

Price history

$799.00$398.16
Nov 1Nov 10
  • Focal Bathys: lowest $599.00 on Nov 2 at Walmart; $599.00 on Nov 10.
  • Noble Audio FoKus Apollo: lowest $398.16 on Nov 9 at eBay.

Prices at every store

Focal Bathys

  • Headphones.comNew

    In stock

    $639.00Free shippingChecked 3 h ago
    Visit Headphones.com
  • Music DirectNew

    In stock

    $639.00Free shippingChecked 3 h ago
    Visit Music Direct
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknownSold by famousoutdoors (99.8% positive, 136,100 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $509.99Free shippingChecked Nov 8
    Visit eBay
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $599.00Free shippingChecked 3 h ago
    Visit Amazon

Also available at

  • eBayCheck price at eBay

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 32 stores and price history →

Noble Audio FoKus Apollo

  • Noble AudioNew

    In stock

    $649.00Free shippingChecked 17 h ago
    Visit Noble Audio
  • Bloom AudioNew

    In stock

    $649.00Free shippingChecked 17 h ago
    Visit Bloom Audio
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknownSold by riversideworks_japanMade for another market

    $398.16Checked 17 h ago
    Visit eBay
  • Audio46 Headphone StoreNew

    Availability unknown

    $649.00Checked 17 h ago
    Visit Audio46 Headphone Store

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 10 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecFocal BathysNoble Audio FoKus Apollo
Wireless TypeBluetoothBluetooth
Max Battery Life30 hoursUp to 80 hours (without ANC)
Headphone Cup TypeOver-earOver-ear
Body Part UseHead, EarsHead
Noise Cancellation TypeActiveActive
Driver TechnologyDynamicDynamic
Recharge Time1.5 hUp to 3 hours (to fully charge)
Rechargeable BatteryYesYes
Earpad MaterialLeatherMemory foam
Driver Size40 mm40mm (dynamic driver)
Frequency Response15 Hz - 22 kHz (+/- 3dB)20KHz-20mHz
Sound OutputStereoThree-dimensional soundstaging
Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
SpecFocal BathysNoble Audio FoKus Apollo
Audio HighlightsUSB-DAC modeHybrid driver
Water ProtectionNoNo water-resistance rating
WaterproofNoNo
Water ResistantNoNo
Bluetooth Version5.1BlueTooth 5.3
Noise CancelingYes—
Surround SoundYes—
With MicrophoneYes—
ColorBlack—
Style

What reviewers say

Focal Bathys

  • 4.6 / 5666 ratings

Rated 4.6 out of 5 across 666 ratings, the Bathys is widely liked for its sound quality and build. Buyers treat it as a luxury headphone that competes on audio rather than on the absolute best noise canceling.

What people mention
  • Sound qualityPraisedOwners describe a detailed, dynamic sound that stands out among wireless headphones.
  • BuildPraisedBuyers call it sturdy and premium-feeling, with leather earpads.
  • WeightCriticisedSome find it heavy and bulky for long wear or travel.
  • Noise cancelingMixedANC works but is seen as weaker than the best from Bose and Sony.

Noble Audio FoKus Apollo

  • 4.8 / 517 ratings
Reviews
  • Best wireless headphones for 2026 - Engadget - Best wireless headphones for 2026

Questions and answers

Which is better for long flights?
The FoKus Apollo, on battery life alone: up to 60 hours with ANC on against about 30 on the Bathys. The Bathys charges faster, so a short top-up goes further.
Which sounds better?
They aim at different things. The Bathys is tuned as a refined, dynamic audiophile headphone and has far more owner feedback behind it. The Apollo's planar hybrid adds air and detail in the mids and highs. Listen to both if you can.
Do I need the Bathys' USB-DAC mode?
Only if you want to plug into a laptop or phone by cable and play files above standard Bluetooth quality. The Apollo has no equivalent mode, so Bluetooth codecs like LDAC are its high-res route.
Which is better for calls?
The Apollo, because it ships with a removable boom mic. The Bathys relies on its built-in microphones, which are fine for occasional calls but less focused on voice.
Which lasts longer?
The Apollo has the much larger battery and a longer rated life per charge. The Bathys uses faster charging and a 1.5-hour full charge to offset its shorter runtime.
Is the Apollo worth stepping up to?
If battery life, LDAC and a boom mic are your priorities, yes. If you want a proven sound, a USB-DAC mode and a full travel kit, the Bathys is the safer choice.

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On-ear
—
Over-EarYes—
Assistant SupportGoogle Assistant, Amazon Alexa—
WirelessY—
BrandFocal—
Assembled product weight1 oz—
Battery consumption typeIntegrated Rechargeable Battery—
Power typeBattery—
Virtual assistantAlexa, Google Assistant—
Headphone typeHeadphones—
Has written warrantyNo—
Model nameFBATHYS—
Standby TimeAuto-standby feature that kicks in after about …—
Headphone Impedance80 Ohms—
Sensitivity80 Ohm—
Total Harmonic Distortion<0.2% @1kHz—
Microphone HighlightsWith Microphone—
Noise Cancelling MicrophoneYes—
Integrated MicrophoneYes—