If you’re searching for high quality wireless headphones that still deliver true audiophile performance, the Focal Bathys MG deserve your attention.
At Peter Tyson we’ve been putting the listening hours in trying out these headphones to see what’s changed from the original Bathys and is it worth choosing the MG over the standard version?
Premium Design, Built for Long Listening
The Bathys MG remain unmistakably Focal.
You get:
• Aluminium and magnesium construction
• A genuine leather headband
• Memory foam ear pads
• The signature backlit Focal logo
They feel substantial, refined, and properly premium. Comfort is excellent, even during long listening sessions and even if you wear glasses. These are luxury Bluetooth headphones that feel every bit the price.
Wireless Convenience Meets Hi-Res Audio
Feature-wise, the Bathys MG tick every box you’d expect from premium noise cancelling headphones:
• Bluetooth 5.2
• aptX Adaptive for higher quality wireless streaming
• Multipoint pairing
• Active noise cancelling with selectable modes
• Around 30 hours of battery life with ANC on
• Fast charging for quick top-ups
Crucially for audiophile users, they also include USB-DAC mode. Connect them via USB-C to your laptop or compatible phone and you can enjoy high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/192kHz.
That makes them far more than just travel headphones. They’re equally at home on a desk as a serious high fidelity listening solution.
The Key Upgrade: A New Magnesium Driver
The biggest internal change is the driver.
The original Bathys used a 40mm aluminium-magnesium driver. The Bathys MG move to a 40mm full magnesium M-shaped dome driver.
Magnesium is lighter and more responsive. In real-world terms, that means:
• Greater clarity
• Better instrument separation
• Tighter, more controlled bass
• A more refined overall presentation
They still sound unmistakably Focal. Detailed. Dynamic. Engaging.
But the MG version adds a layer of control and precision that serious listeners will appreciate. If you’re buying fresh and want the best version available, the MG is the one to go for.
The Underrated Feature: Mimi Hearing Test
One of the most impressive features isn’t the driver or the DAC mode. It’s the Mimi hearing test.
Built into the Focal & Naim app, Mimi measures how you actually hear. You sit in a quiet room while the headphones play tones at different frequencies and volumes. You tap when you hear them.
Within minutes, the system builds a hearing profile for both ears.
The Bathys MG then apply a subtle correction based on your results. Not heavy EQ. Not artificial boosting. Just a gentle adjustment so your music sounds balanced to you.
Most people don’t have perfectly symmetrical hearing. Age, noise exposure, and natural variation all play a part. Mimi compensates for that in a way that sounds natural and effortless.
You can adjust the intensity or switch it off. Once you try it, most people leave it on.
For new listeners, it adds clarity without complexity. For experienced audiophiles, it offers a personalised correction curve based on real data, not guesswork.
Final Thoughts
The Focal Bathys MG take an already excellent pair of audiophile wireless headphones and make them better.
• A more resolving magnesium driver
• Proper high-resolution USB-DAC capability
• Strong noise cancelling performance
• Personalised sound via Mimi
If you want premium Bluetooth headphones that combine convenience with true high fidelity sound, the Bathys MG are among the best options available right now.
Try them out at Peter Tyson by requesting a demo at any of our stores or if you’re ready to take the plunge then you can simply add them to your basket here.