Focal Clear Mg vs Focal Bathys Mg
Focal Clear Mg (#3, best premium) vs Focal Bathys Mg (#4): in our Over-Ear Headphones (Audiophile Music Picks) scoring the Focal Clear Mg totals 8.8/10 and the Focal Bathys Mg 8.5/10, the Focal Clear Mg leading on Sound Quality and Soundstage and the Focal Bathys Mg on Comfort and Value.
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TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| Focal Clear Mg | Focal Bathys Mg | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1499 | $1129 |
| Driver Size | 40mm magnesium dome | 40mm magnesium dome |
| Impedance | 55Ω | — |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz-28kHz | 15Hz-22kHz wireless |
| Weight | 450g | 350g |
| Design | Open-back | — |
| Connectivity | — | Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Battery | — | 30 hours |
How they differ in real use
Built from our over ear music scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the Focal Clear Mg and the Focal Bathys Mg made our Top 5 Over-Ear Headphones (Audiophile Music Picks), at #3 (best premium) and #4. Exceptional dynamic expression capturing music's emotional impact. What Hi-Fi? describes the presentation as 'elusive to most rivals.' Proof that wireless can satisfy audiophiles. What Hi-Fi? rated it their highest-scoring wireless headphones ever, and a recent price drop to around $1,129 makes the case even stronger.
We score over-ear headphones (audiophile music picks) on Sound Quality (40%), Soundstage (20%), Comfort (15%), Build Quality (15%) and Value (10%). On that basis the Focal Clear Mg totals 8.8 out of 10 and the Focal Bathys Mg 8.5. The widest gap is Sound Quality, where the Focal Clear Mg scores 9.5 against 9 for the Focal Bathys Mg — audiophile-grade clarity and detail. Soundstage also separates them: 8.5 for the Focal Clear Mg versus 8 for the Focal Bathys Mg. The Focal Bathys Mg claws back ground on Comfort and Value.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Frequency Response — 5Hz-28kHz on the Focal Clear Mg versus 15Hz-22kHz wireless on the Focal Bathys Mg; Weight — 450g on the Focal Clear Mg versus 350g on the Focal Bathys Mg. They match on Driver Size.
Pricing as of July 29, 2026: $1,499 for the Focal Clear Mg and $1,129 for the Focal Bathys Mg, a $370 difference in the Focal Bathys Mg's favor. Owners praise the Focal Clear Mg for exceptional dynamic expression and 40mm M-shaped magnesium dome drivers; the most common complaint is heavy at 450g. Owners praise the Focal Bathys Mg for audiophile-grade wireless sound and pure magnesium drivers from Clear Mg lineage; the most common complaint is nearly 3x Sony XM6 price.
Focal Clear Mg
- Exceptional dynamic expression
- 40mm M-shaped magnesium dome drivers
- Full-bodied, engaging presentation
- French craftsmanship
- Heavy at 450g
- Very expensive
- Open-back design limits portability
Focal Bathys Mg
- Audiophile-grade wireless sound
- Pure magnesium drivers from Clear Mg lineage
- Bluetooth 5.2 with LDAC
- Effective ANC
- Nearly 3x Sony XM6 price
- 30hr battery (less with ANC)
- Heavy at 350g
Which should you buy?
The Focal Clear Mg is the better fit for rock and pop listeners and vocal enthusiasts — it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Sound Quality and Soundstage. The Focal Bathys Mg is the better fit for audiophiles needing wireless and those wanting no compromise portable sound, and the stronger choice if Comfort and Value matter more to you than the overall score. If the $370 saving matters more than Sound Quality, the Focal Bathys Mg is the better value. The Focal Clear Mg is a poor fit for travel use; the Focal Bathys Mg is a poor fit for budget shoppers.
Choose the Focal Clear Mg if
- Rock and pop listeners
- Vocal enthusiasts
- Those valuing emotional connection over neutrality
Skip it if
- Travel use
- Budget shoppers
Choose the Focal Bathys Mg if
- Audiophiles needing wireless
- Those wanting no compromise portable sound
- Hi-res music listeners
Skip it if
- Budget shoppers
- Those prioritizing ANC over sound
Common questions
Is the Focal Clear Mg better than the Focal Bathys Mg?
In our Over-Ear Headphones (Audiophile Music Picks) ranking the Focal Clear Mg scores higher overall, 8.8 to 8.5, with the biggest advantage in Sound Quality. The Focal Bathys Mg is stronger on Comfort and Value, so it is the better pick if those matter most to you.
How much more does the Focal Clear Mg cost than the Focal Bathys Mg?
$370 more as of July 29, 2026: $1,499 for the Focal Clear Mg against $1,129 for the Focal Bathys Mg. Prices move, so the merchant page shows the current figure. What the extra buys is mostly Sound Quality — 9.5 versus 9 in our scoring.
What is the main difference between the Focal Clear Mg and the Focal Bathys Mg?
The headline spec difference is Frequency Response: 5Hz-28kHz on the Focal Clear Mg versus 15Hz-22kHz wireless on the Focal Bathys Mg. In use, the gap that matters most is Sound Quality (9.5 vs 9 in our scoring): audiophile-grade clarity and detail.