In the world of high-end wireless headphones, few brands carry the same weight as Focal. Known for their uncompromising attention to detail and signature sound, the French audio company set a high bar with the original Bathys headphones back in 2022. Now, in 2025, Focal has returned with a new wireless flagship: the Bathys MG. These headphones aim to improve on every aspect of the original model, promising better sound, upgraded materials, more refined active noise cancellation, and an even more luxurious feel. Priced at $1,299, the Bathys MG is positioned as a premium addition to the lineup, not a replacement for the original Bathys, which still remains available and continues to be an excellent choice at its price point.

Design & Build Quality

At first glance, the Bathys MG exterior looks extremely similar to the original Bathys. While the overall shape and design language remain similar, the finish and materials tell a different story. The original Bathys incorporated a combination of high-grade plastic and aluminum, but the MG steps things up with a gorgeous Chestnut color scheme paired with magnesium yokes, aluminum grilles, and a genuine leather headband. The result is a headphone that not only feels more premium but also fits more comfortably over long sessions thanks to softer memory foam earpads and a better-distributed clamping force.

What “MG” Means

That "MG" in the name isn’t just a styling choice—it stands for magnesium, and it's one of the key upgrades that sets the Bathys MG apart from the original. Focal fans might recognize the use of magnesium from the acclaimed Clear MG open-back headphones. In the Bathys MG, the new 40mm dynamic drivers feature pure magnesium diaphragms crafted in Focal’s French workshop. Magnesium is lighter and more rigid than the aluminum-magnesium blend used in the original Bathys, which results in better speed, control, and overall precision. That difference may sound subtle on paper, but in practice, it opens up a world of improved dynamics, lower distortion, and more accurate transients. These drivers are capable of revealing layers of detail that most wireless headphones simply can’t touch.

Sound Quality

The frequency response has also been extended on the low end, now reaching down to 10Hz compared to the 15Hz limit of the original Bathys. Bass is not only deeper but also tighter and more dynamic. Genres like hip-hop, electronic, and cinematic soundtracks benefit greatly from the improved sub-bass presence. Yet despite this enhanced low-end energy, the overall tonal balance remains consistent with Focal’s house sound: lively and engaging, with sparkling highs and well-defined mids.

One of the most impressive aspects of the Bathys MG is that this sound quality remains consistent across all modes. Whether you're using Bluetooth, analog input, or the USB-DAC mode, the tuning doesn’t change. Even with ANC on or off, the frequency response remains stable. That’s a big deal, because many ANC headphones suffer from tonal shifts when noise cancelling is enabled. Focal has managed to avoid that by carefully compensating for any impedance or feedback changes with digital signal processing.

The soundstage has also seen noticeable improvements. For a closed-back design, the Bathys MG offers an impressive sense of space. Instruments feel more layered and easier to separate, with vocals remaining locked in place while ambient effects and background elements spread out convincingly to the sides. Compared to the original Bathys, the MG feels more immersive, placing you closer to the performance rather than observing from a distance.

Active Noise Cancellation & Call Quality

All this audio performance wouldn’t mean much without solid noise cancellation. Here, too, the Bathys MG delivers. It retains the original three ANC modes: Silent, Soft, and Transparent. Silent is designed for loud environments like airplanes or trains, Soft is meant for quieter spaces like offices or cafes, and Transparent lets you hear your surroundings clearly without taking the headphones off. What’s new is the improved microphone array and updated ANC processing. The digital microphones in the MG do a noticeably better job of cutting out midrange noise, like human voices or inconsistent background chatter. That’s something the original Bathys didn’t handle quite as well.

Call quality has also been improved. The Bathys MG uses dual beamforming microphones with noise suppression to isolate your voice from ambient sounds. Whether you're on a work call or chatting with a friend in a noisy environment, your voice comes through clearly and naturally. Voice assistant integration is smooth and flexible, supporting Google Assistant, Alexa, and Siri, depending on your device and preference.

Battery Life & Charging

Battery life holds steady at 30 hours with ANC and Bluetooth enabled, 35 hours when using the 3.5mm analog input, and up to 42 hours in USB-DAC mode. That’s more than enough for long trips or days of work without charging. And if you do need a quick top-off, a 15-minute fast charge gives you about five hours of listening time. The headphones charge via USB-C and support simultaneous playback and charging when using DAC mode, which is helpful when traveling or working.

One important note: even in analog (3.5mm) mode, the headphones still require power. There is no fully passive listening mode on the Bathys MG—they must be powered on for any audio to play.

Controls & Usability

Controls on the Bathys MG are entirely physical, with no touch-sensitive surfaces. That may sound old-school in a world of swipe gestures, but it actually makes for a much more reliable and tactile user experience. On the right earcup, you'll find a multi-function button for playback control and call handling, volume up and down buttons, and a three-position switch to toggle between Bluetooth, DAC, and analog modes. There's also a dedicated button on the left earcup to activate your chosen voice assistant. Everything is easy to locate by feel and provides a satisfying click.

One small but meaningful improvement over the original Bathys is in the volume adjustment. Focal has fine-tuned the steps between volume levels on the MG, giving users more granular control. On the original, volume jumps felt a bit too large, which made it tricky to find the perfect listening level. With the MG, volume adjusts in smaller increments, which may seem minor but actually adds up to a smoother and more precise listening experience.

Focal & Naim App Features

The Bathys MG also pairs with the Focal & Naim app, which unlocks additional functionality. From the app, you can switch between ANC modes, view exact battery percentage, adjust the logo backlight brightness, and customize the sound with a five-band EQ. There are also a couple of sound profile presets, including a "Dynamic" mode that offers a more neutral tuning closer to a reference target. The app even includes a built-in hearing test powered by Mimi, allowing you to tailor the sound to your own hearing profile.

One thing worth noting is codec support. The Bathys MG supports SBC, AAC, aptX, and aptX Adaptive—but not LDAC. That may be a consideration if you prioritize high-res Bluetooth streaming. However, for most people using aptX Adaptive with a modern Android device, the performance will still be excellent.

Comfort & Fit

Despite their size and weight (350g), the Bathys MG headphones feel surprisingly comfortable over long periods. The memory foam pads conform to your head and ears without creating pressure points, and the genuine leather headband adds a touch of luxury while helping to distribute weight evenly. Glasses-wearers will also appreciate the softer, more forgiving pads that maintain a good seal without extra pressure on the temples.

Comparing to the Original Bathys

Compared to the original Bathys, the MG version represents a significant leap forward in several key areas. The new magnesium drivers provide more clarity, more impactful bass, and a wider soundstage. The updated ANC system cancels out more noise, particularly in the midrange. The upgraded build quality gives the MG a more refined, premium feel, and small usability improvements like better volume step control and refined app integration make day-to-day use more pleasant.

That said, the Bathys MG is not without its caveats. At $1,299, it costs nearly twice as much as the original Bathys, which still holds up as one of the best-sounding wireless headphones in its price range. If you're more budget-conscious or you just want something that sounds great, feels good to wear, and still cancels out noise well enough for most situations, the original Bathys remains a fantastic option. It’s the kind of headphone that we still recommend all the time here at Audio Advice because it hits that sweet spot of performance, design, and value. For many people, it’s everything they need in a high-end wireless headphone, but for those who want to squeeze out every last drop of performance, enjoy more luxurious materials, and push closer to true audiophile sound in a wireless format, the MG version delivers on that next-level experience.

Final Thoughts

If you want to learn more about the original, we have a full written and video review of the Focal Bathys you can check out as well. It’s a great way to see how the two compare and decide which model is right for your needs.

At Audio Advice, we test everything we recommend, and our goal is always to help you find the perfect gear for the way you listen. What makes our approach different is that we aren’t just spec-sheet readers—we spend time with these products, in real-world environments, with real music. The Bathys MG isn’t just good on paper. It actually delivers when you put it on and press play. And that’s exactly what we look for.

Focal has taken what was already a strong product and elevated it to something truly special. The Bathys MG is a wireless headphone that doesn’t compromise. It offers audiophile-grade sound, a premium build, effective noise cancelling, intuitive controls, and thoughtful extras that make it a pleasure to use. For anyone who values sound quality above all else but still wants the freedom of wireless, the Bathys MG is hard to beat.

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