Focal Bathys MG

The next level of refinement for noise-canceling headphones

When Focal debuted the original Bathys a few years back, there were few headphones like them — and they're still among the best-sounding wireless noise-canceling headphones ever created. With the Bathys MG, Focal has surpassed that lofty benchmark with even better sound quality, comfort, and noise cancellation. They use magnesium-based drivers — inspired by their top-rated Clear MG wired audiophile headphones — to catapult the beloved Bathys series into the sonic stratosphere.

I've spent a month with these striking Bluetooth headphones, auditioning them through work shifts and on road trips. I find myself as enamored now with their look, feel, and sound as I was when they arrived on day one. And they make quite the statement right out of the (fully recyclable) box.

A striking first impression and relaxed, sturdy fit

Focal started with their familiar design motif and "chestnut" color pattern of the Clear MG, then added some extra flair and flourishes. Most noticeably, the backlit logo that illuminates when you pair to your phone. (You can dim or turn off the LED within the Focal & Naim app, a free download for Apple® and Android™.)

These headphones are similar in size to the original Bathys — not as robust as Focal's wired audiophile offerings, but larger than the average set of over-ears. However, their weight is nicely distributed, and their real leather ear pads hug the head, so I could wear them for hours without fatigue. The well-padded earcups are held together by an aluminum frame and smooth-sliding headphone yokes that helps keep the fit secure yet relaxed.

Magnesium-based drivers for powerful, nuanced sound with deep bass

In each earcup, you'll find Focal's fast-attack drivers, complete with their acclaimed "M"-shaped diaphragm domes that allow for fluid movement. Here, they're made completely from magnesium — just like the Clear MG. Magnesium is rigid and lightweight with strong damping characteristics, so there's less harmonics and sound coloration, particularly in the mids.

While the earcups are still larger than most travel over-ear headphones, they're much smaller than the open-air chamber where these drivers are housed in the Clear MG. To compensate, the team shrewdly placed vents around the glowing Focal logo to release excess energy and avoid distortion.

Stronger noise cancellation that preserves sound quality

Along with higher-grade drivers, the Bathy MG also features an upgraded microphone system with better noise-canceling circuitry. That's notable because Focal was very deliberate and selective when creating the original Bathys — product manager Mégane Montabonel told me they went through 22 different models of mics before choosing. This time around, the goal was to maintain sound quality while doing an even better job of canceling external noise.

I tested the noise-canceling chops of the Bathys MG when I took the Amtrak up to New York for CanJam NYC 2025. Even with no music playing, these headphones created a nice blanket of quiet, free of excess hiss. It wasn't the absolute strongest noise cancellation available, but it established a low noise floor for my relaxing acoustic travel playlist.

Battery life and high-res wired listening options

When fully charged, you can listen to these headphones wirelessly for up to 30 hours with noise cancellation. And if you need a quick fuel-up, a 15-minute charge will give you up to five hours of wireless listening. Focal also included cables for optional wired listening, including a 3.5mm miniplug cable.

Just note there's no "passive" listening mode — the headphones need to be charged up even when you listen wired. (And since you're using the circuitry built into the headphones, there's no benefit to connecting to a separate headphone amp.) But you can plug the included USB-C cable into a compatible phone or computer and bypass that device's audio circuitry. The Bathys MG headphones have an internal DAC that's capable of playing high-resolution audio files.