Apple AirPods Max vs Focal Bathys Wireless

Which Headphones Are Better?

Products

Apple AirPods Max
Focal Bathys Wireless

Tested using Methodology v2.1

Updated Mar 09, 2026 05:37 PM

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Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v2.0

Updated Jan 23, 2026 02:07 PM

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B&H
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. Apple
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. USB-C

Our Verdict

Apple AirPods Max

Focal Bathys Wireless

The Apple AirPods Max and the Focal Bathys Wireless are both premium headphones. The Apple headphones prioritize users within the same ecosystem, as they have an H1 chip and iOS-exclusive app support. The Apple also have better noise isolation, although it's adaptive, whereas the Focal use ANC presets. The Apple have a darker treble response without extensive EQ. Besides supporting Bluetooth, the Apple headphones use a Lightning connection or USB-C (depending on the model variant), and you'll need to purchase an adapter to listen to analog audio. You can easily adjust the EQ and sound settings for the Focal in the companion app. They also have more connectivity options like aptX Adaptive, USB-C, and analog connections without needing separate adapters. In addition, for a more comfortable fit and a better mic, the Focal are a good choice.

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Variants

  • AirPods Max (USB-C) (Blue)
  • AirPods Max (Lightning) (Green)
  • Bathys (Black/Gray)
  • Bathys (Dune)

Check Price

Blue
AirPods Max (USB-C)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black/Gray
Bathys
SEE PRICE
B&H
Green
AirPods Max (Lightning)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Dune
Bathys
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Midnight
AirPods Max (USB-C)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Orange
AirPods Max (USB-C)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Pink
AirPods Max (Lightning)
Amazon.com
 
Purple
AirPods Max (USB-C)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Silver
AirPods Max (Lightning)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Sky Blue
AirPods Max (Lightning)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Space Gray
AirPods Max (Lightning)
Amazon.com
 
Starlight
AirPods Max (USB-C)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
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Main Differences for
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Full Comparison

Sound

Sound Profile 
 

Sound Profile  

Apple AirPods Max Sound Profile Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless Sound Profile Sample

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Normalization Frequency 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

Bass Amount 
 

Locked
Locked

Treble Amount 
 

Locked
Locked

Sound Signature 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Frequency Response Consistency 
 

N/A
N/A

Consistency L  

Apple AirPods Max Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless Consistency L Sample

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Consistency R  

Apple AirPods Max Consistency R Sample

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Focal Bathys Wireless Consistency R Sample

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Std. Deviation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
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Raw Frequency Response 
 

Raw FR L  

Apple AirPods Max Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

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Raw FR R  

Apple AirPods Max Raw FR R Sample

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Focal Bathys Wireless Raw FR R Sample

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Bass Profile: Target Compliance 
 

N/A
N/A

Bass Profile: Target Compliance  

Apple AirPods Max Bass Profile: Target Compliance Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless Bass Profile: Target Compliance Sample

SAMPLE

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RMS Deviation From Target 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

Low Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

High Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance 
 

N/A
N/A

Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance  

Apple AirPods Max Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance Sample

SAMPLE

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RMS Deviation From Target 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid-Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

High Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Treble Profile: Target Compliance 
 

N/A
N/A

Treble Profile: Target Compliance  

Apple AirPods Max Treble Profile: Target Compliance Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless Treble Profile: Target Compliance Sample

SAMPLE

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RMS Deviation From Target 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

High Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Peaks/Dips 
 

N/A
N/A

Peaks/Dips Graph 
 

Apple AirPods Max Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Peaks 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Dips 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Stereo Mismatch 
 

N/A
N/A

Frequency Response Mismatch  

Apple AirPods Max Frequency Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless Frequency Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

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Phase Response Mismatch  

Apple AirPods Max Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless Phase Response Mismatch Sample

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Weighted Amplitude Mismatch 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Weighted Frequency Response Mismatch 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Weighted Phase Mismatch 
 

Lock°
Lock°
Show Text 

Group Delay 
 

N/A
N/A

Group Delay  

Apple AirPods Max Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless Group Delay Sample

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Weighted Group Delay 
 

Lock ms
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Cumulative Spectral Decay 
 

CSD  

Apple AirPods Max CSD Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless CSD Sample

SAMPLE

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PRTF 
 

N/A
N/A

PRTF  

Apple AirPods Max PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

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PRTF Accuracy (RMS Deviation) 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

PRTF Size (Avg.) 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

PRTF Distance 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Harmonic Distortion 
 

N/A
N/A

Harmonics Levels  

Apple AirPods Max Harmonics Levels Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless Harmonics Levels Sample

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THD Ratio  

Apple AirPods Max THD Ratio Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless THD Ratio Sample

SAMPLE

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WHD @ 94 dB SPL 
 

Lock%
Lock%

WHD @ 104 dB SPL 
 

Lock%
Lock%
Show Text 

Electrical Aspects 
 

Impedance  

Apple AirPods Max Impedance Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless Impedance Sample

SAMPLE

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Sensitivity @1kHz-1V 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth Max SPL 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Virtual Soundstage 
 

N/A
N/A

Virtual Soundstage  

Apple AirPods Max Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

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Head Modeling 
 

Locked
Locked

Speaker Modeling 
 

Locked
Locked

Room Ambience 
 

Locked
Locked

Head Tracking 
 

Locked
Locked

Virtual Surround 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Test Settings 
 

Firmware 
 

Locked
Locked

Power 
 

Locked
Locked

Connection 
 

Locked
Locked

Codec 
 

Locked
Locked

Test Instrument  

Locked
Locked

EQ 
 

Locked
Locked

ANC 
 

Locked
Locked

Tip/Pad 
 

Locked
Locked

Microphone 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Design

Style  

Design Picture 2  

Apple AirPods Max Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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Type  

Locked
Locked

Enclosure  

Locked
Locked

Wireless  

Locked
Locked

Transducer  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Comfort 
 

N/A
N/A

Comfort Picture  

Apple AirPods Max Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Weight  

Lock lbs
Lock lbs

Clamping Force 
 

Lock lbs
Lock lbs
Show Text 

Controls 
 

N/A
N/A

Controls Picture  

Apple AirPods Max Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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OS Compatibility 
 

Locked
Locked

Ease Of Use  

Locked
Locked

Feedback  

Locked
Locked

Call/Music Control  

Locked
Locked

Volume Control  

Locked
Locked

Microphone Control  

Locked
Locked

Channel Mixing 
 

Locked
Locked

Noise Cancelling Control  

Locked
Locked

Talk-Through 
 

Locked
Locked

Additional Controls  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Portability 
 

N/A
N/A

Portability Picture  

Apple AirPods Max Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

 

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

 

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume  

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)
Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Transmitter Required  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Case 
 

N/A
N/A

Case Picture  

Apple AirPods Max Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Type  

Locked
Locked

 

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

 

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

 

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume  

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)
Lock in³ (Lock cm³)
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Build Quality Picture  

Apple AirPods Max Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Stability 
 

N/A
N/A

Stability Picture  

Apple AirPods Max Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless Stability Picture Sample

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Headshots 1  

Angled Picture  

Apple AirPods Max Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Side Picture  

Apple AirPods Max Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Headshots 2  

Front Picture  

Apple AirPods Max Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Rear Picture  

Apple AirPods Max Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Top  

Top Picture  

Apple AirPods Max Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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In The Box  

In The Box Picture  

Apple AirPods Max In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 
Isolation

Noise Isolation - Full Range 
 

N/A
N/A

Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph  

Apple AirPods Max Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph Sample

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Noise Cancelling  

Locked
Locked

Overall Attenuation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios 
 

N/A
N/A

Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph  

Apple AirPods Max Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph Sample

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Airplane Noise Attenuation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Airplane Noise Isolation Audio 
 

Office Noise Attenuation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Office Noise Isolation Audio 
 

Street Noise Attenuation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Street Noise Isolation Audio 
 

Show Text 

Noise Isolation - Voice Handling 
 

Female Voice 1 
 

Male Voice 1 
 

Female Voice 2 
 

Male Voice 2 
 

ANC Wind Handling 
 

ANC Wind Handling Graph  

Apple AirPods Max ANC Wind Handling Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless ANC Wind Handling Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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ANC Wind Noise 
 

Show Text 

Leakage 
 

N/A
N/A

Leakage  

Apple AirPods Max Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

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Leakage Audio 
 

Overall Leakage @ 1ft 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 
Microphone

Microphone Style 
 

Integrated 
 

Locked
Locked

In-Line 
 

Locked
Locked

Boom 
 

Locked
Locked

Detachable Boom 
 

Locked
Locked

Mic  

Locked
Locked

Recording Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Microphone Frequency Response  

Apple AirPods Max Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Recorded Speech 
 

LFE 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

FR Std. Dev. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

HFE 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

Weighted THD 
 

Lock
Lock

Gain 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Noise Handling 
 

N/A
N/A

SpNR  

Apple AirPods Max SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless SpNR Sample

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SpNR 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Noise Gate 
 

Locked
Locked

Speech + Pink Noise Handling 
 

0.0
0.0

Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample  

Speech + Subway Noise Handling 
 

0.0
0.0

Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample  

Show Text 
Active Features

Battery 
 

N/A
N/A

Battery Type 
 

Locked
Locked

Continuous Battery Life 
 

Lock hrs
Lock hrs

Additional Charges 
 

Lock
Lock

Total Battery Life 
 

Lock hrs
Lock hrs

Charge Time 
 

Lock hrs
Lock hrs

Power-Saving Feature 
 

Locked
Locked

Audio While Charging 
 

Locked
Locked

Passive Playback 
 

Locked
Locked

Charging Port  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

App Support 
 

N/A
N/A

App Picture  

Apple AirPods Max App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless App Picture Sample

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App Name  

Locked
Locked

iOS  

Locked
Locked

Android  

Locked
Locked

macOS  

Locked
Locked

Windows  

Locked
Locked

Equalizer 
 

Locked
Locked

ANC Control 
 

Locked
Locked

Mic Control  

Locked
Locked

Room Effects 
 

Locked
Locked

Playback Control 
 

Locked
Locked

Button Mapping  

Locked
Locked

Surround Support 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Connectivity

Wired Connection 
 

N/A
N/A

Cable Picture  

Apple AirPods Max Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Bathys Wireless Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Analog Audio 
 

Locked
Locked

USB Audio 
 

Locked
Locked

Detachable 
 

Locked
Locked

Length 
 

N/A
Lock ft (Lock m)

Connector 
 

Locked
Locked

Latency - Analog 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Latency - USB 
 

N/A
Lock ms

Recorded Latency 
 

Recorded Latency Connection  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Bluetooth Connection 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth Version 
 

Locked
Locked

Multi-Device Pairing 
 

Locked
Locked

Quick Pair (Android) 
 

Locked
Locked

Quick Pair (iOS) 
 

Locked
Locked

Line Of Sight Range 
 

Lock ft (Lock m)
Lock ft (Lock m)

Latency - SBC 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Latency - aptX 
 

N/A
Lock ms

Latency - aptX Adaptive (High Quality) 
 

N/A
Lock ms

Latency - aptX Adaptive (Low Latency) 
 

N/A
Lock ms

Latency - LDAC 
 

N/A
N/A

Recorded Latency 
 

Recorded Latency Codec  

Locked
Locked

AAC Support 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Wireless Connection (Dongle) 
 

N/A
N/A

Line Of Sight Range 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - Dongle 
 

N/A
N/A

Recorded Latency 
 

PC Compatibility 
 

Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

PlayStation Compatibility 
 

PS4 Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

PS4 Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

PS4 Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

PS5 Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

PS5 Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

PS5 Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Xbox Compatibility 
 

Xbox One Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox One Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox One Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox Series X|S Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox Series X|S Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Base/Dock 
 

N/A
N/A

Type 
 

Locked
Locked

USB Input 
 

Locked
Locked

Line In 
 

Locked
Locked

Line Out 
 

Locked
Locked

Optical Input 
 

Locked
Locked

RCA Input 
 

Locked
Locked

Dock Charging 
 

Locked
Locked

Power Supply 
 

Locked
Locked

Check Price

Blue
AirPods Max (USB-C)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black/Gray
Bathys
SEE PRICE
B&H
Green
AirPods Max (Lightning)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Dune
Bathys
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Midnight
AirPods Max (USB-C)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Orange
AirPods Max (USB-C)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Pink
AirPods Max (Lightning)
Amazon.com
 
Purple
AirPods Max (USB-C)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Silver
AirPods Max (Lightning)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Sky Blue
AirPods Max (Lightning)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Space Gray
AirPods Max (Lightning)
Amazon.com
 
Starlight
AirPods Max (USB-C)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 

Apple AirPods Max

Focal Bathys Wireless

Comments

  1. Comparison

Apple AirPods Max vs Focal Bathys Wireless: Main Discussion

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