Compare Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 Headphones vs Focal Bathys MG Wireless Headphones

ANC is repeatedly described as a meaningful improvement for B&W and effective for commuting and travel, but many reviews still place it behind Sony and Bose at the top end. Wind and higher-frequency voices can be weak spots in some scenarios. ANC mode control is straightforward (on, off, pass-through) and can be mapped to a quick-action button in some setups. Reviewers note fewer adjustment options than Sony-style multi-mode systems.

ANC is good to very good and clearly improved over the original, but the consensus is that Sony and Bose still cancel more noise overall, especially in the mids. The three-mode ANC system gives useful control with Silent, Soft, and Transparency options, even though there is no true ANC-off mode.

Android compatibility is strong, especially thanks to codec breadth and aptX options. Several reviews contrast this with iOS being limited to AAC.

Android support is straightforward, with repeated references to Android compatibility in specs, pairing, and app support.

The companion app is generally considered clean and functional, offering key controls and some ecosystem integration. Multiple reviewers still call it simpler than Sony-style apps and note missing power-user features.

The Focal & Naim app is useful for basics like ANC, EQ, personalization, lighting, and battery view, but several reviewers find it limited or occasionally glitchy.

aptX support is repeatedly highlighted, including higher-end variants such as Adaptive and Lossless, making it particularly attractive for compatible Android and Snapdragon Sound devices.

aptX support is a clear plus and is repeatedly listed as part of the headphone's strong everyday wireless feature set.

Reviewers generally report good sync for video use, with latency described as not an issue for typical phone or laptop watching.

Bass is consistently described as impactful and controlled rather than boomy, with strong definition. Some listeners find it bass-forward at higher volumes, while others want a bit more sub-bass weight.

Bass is generally praised for depth, slam, texture, and control, though several reviewers note the default tuning can run a little warm, boomy, or heavy before EQ.

Battery life is consistently cited around 30 hours with ANC on, which is solid but not a class leader versus marathon models. Real-world tests generally align with the rating. Multiple reviews note the battery is not user-replaceable, which limits long-term serviceability compared to fully repair-friendly designs.

Battery life is solid rather than class-leading, with the commonly cited 30-hour Bluetooth figure generally holding up well in real use. Battery replacement appears possible through Focal service rather than as a user-swappable design, offering some serviceability without true end-user replaceability.

Bluetooth performance is described as stable and reliable in most reviews, including in congested environments. A small number of users report occasional skipping or hiccups, suggesting rare environment or device-specific issues.

Bluetooth performance is usually stable with fast pairing and dependable everyday use, but a few reports mention quirks rather than flawless behavior.

Build quality is consistently described as top-tier for the price, with premium materials, refined finish, and sturdy mechanisms.

Build quality is one of the strongest consensus positives, with premium materials, excellent finishing, and solid construction throughout.

The built-in DAC and hi-res USB playback are among the headphone's clearest differentiators, and many reviewers treat DAC mode as a headline feature.

Physical buttons are a plus for many, with tactile, clicky controls that work with gloves. A few reviews call the buttons small or the control layout limited compared to feature-heavy rivals.

Physical controls are a strength, with tactile buttons and switches that are generally easier to trust than touch panels.

Included cables (USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to 3.5mm) are generally seen as premium and practical. A couple of reviewers suggest buying longer cables for desk or airplane use.

The included cables are generally described as acceptable to durable, even if they are not luxurious extras.

The hard case is repeatedly called excellent, with premium materials, good protection, and a useful magnetic compartment for cables.

The carry case is repeatedly praised as protective, slim, and premium, even if a few users still find it bulky in a bag.

Fast charging is a standout, with many references to short top-ups delivering multiple hours of playback.

Fast charging is a practical plus, with the widely repeated 15-minute top-up for roughly five hours of playback.

Clamp is commonly described as moderate-to-firm, helping stability when walking. For some heads it can create pressure points, while others find it secure and comfortable after break-in.

Clamp is generally better judged than on the original Bathys, feeling secure without being overly oppressive for most listeners.

Codec support is a major strength, with broad compatibility (including aptX variants) plus wired USB-C audio options. Several reviews also mention upcoming firmware features like LE Audio, Auracast, and spatial audio depending on region and timing.

Codec support is serviceable rather than cutting-edge: aptX and aptX Adaptive are welcome, but multiple reviews call out the lack of broader premium codec coverage.

Comfort is a consistent highlight, with many reviewers wearing them for hours without fatigue. However, some report firm clamp, earcup heat, or fit variability, especially for glasses wearers or outdoor use.

Long-session comfort is one of the Bathys MG's most consistent wins, with many reviewers praising fatigue-free wear over flights, workdays, or extended listening.

Design is frequently praised as sleek, understated, and premium, with a slimmer profile than prior generations and strong pride-of-ownership appeal.

Design is a major selling point, with the chestnut finish, leather, metal accents, and illuminated logo giving the Bathys MG a clearly luxurious identity.

Detachable cables and USB-C audio add flexibility for laptops and in-flight systems, even without a native 3.5mm jack on the earcup. Most reviews note the headphones typically need to be powered on for wired listening.

The included 3.5mm and USB-C wired options add real convenience for travel, desk use, and higher-quality listening beyond Bluetooth.

Earpads are usually described as plush and premium with good sealing. A few reviews suggest padding feels slightly less supportive than prior models and can get warm over time.

Softer, more supple pads are a meaningful upgrade, improving comfort, seal, and overall premium feel.

Swivel and rotation range are frequently noted as generous, helping the cups seal and sit flatter against the head for comfort and stability.

The cups offer enough articulation to sit comfortably and fold flat, but the headphone is not especially compact and does not fold into a tighter travel shape.

The 5-band EQ is widely welcomed as a major improvement over earlier B&W EQ options and is enough to correct stock tuning. Several reviews still consider it limited versus more granular 10-band systems.

EQ is helpful and usable, but the five-band structure is repeatedly described as limited compared with fuller parametric options.

Tonal balance is described as neutral-with-warmth by several outlets, while others report noticeable swings and a more consumer-friendly curve. Overall, it is closer to balanced than purely V-shaped, but not a strict reference-flat tuning.

Reviewers consistently describe the tonal balance as natural, balanced, or close to reference in the better presets, with cleaner frequency relationships than the original Bathys.

Headband adjustment is smooth and easy to dial in, and padding is generally praised. Some users note mild top-of-head pressure depending on head shape and fit.

The headband and slider system is easy to adjust and feels premium, helping users dial in fit without fuss.

Arms and hinge mechanisms are described as sturdy, with premium-feeling movement and good resistance. Long-term durability is generally expected to be strong based on materials.

The yokes and hinge-related hardware are widely described as sturdy, well finished, and built to last.

Included accessories are viewed as generous for the segment, typically including a premium case and multiple cables for charging and wired playback.

The included bundle is straightforward but useful, typically covering the hard case plus 3.5mm and USB-C cables.

Instrument separation and layering are a standout, with reviewers repeatedly noting strong clarity in busy mixes and easy-to-track placement of vocals and instruments.

Instrument separation is frequently singled out as excellent, with strong channel separation, precise placement, and the ability to keep dense mixes organized.

The built-in mic setup is a practical part of the package, handling calls, assistants, and ANC duties without standing out as a weak point.

Multiple reviews point out LDAC is not supported, so LDAC-first Android users may need to choose a different model or use wired playback.

LDAC is a notable omission and one of the most commonly cited feature complaints at this price.

Even at higher volumes, the presentation stays largely clean and controlled, with low distortion noted in multiple reviews. The main caveat is that bass and treble emphasis can become more prominent if you listen loud.

At louder playback levels the Bathys MG generally stays composed and detailed, but some reviewers still hear treble edge on bright material, so max-volume behavior is good rather than perfect.

Noise reduction on calls is effective at suppressing background noise, especially wind and street ambience in some demos. The tradeoff is occasional aggressive gating that can alter vocal tone.

The microphone array does a respectable job suppressing background noise and keeping speech intelligible, though wind and harsher noise are not fully erased.

Call quality is generally solid, with clear voice pickup and good intelligibility. In very noisy or windy conditions, some tests report the voice can sound a bit muffled or less natural than top performers like Sony or AirPods Max.

Call quality is generally solid, with voices coming through clearly and naturally even if the very best Sony-style call performance is still a step ahead.

Midrange is generally clean and detailed, but multiple reviewers describe it as slightly recessed in the stock tuning; EQ can bring vocals forward. Others highlight the mids as a core strength for clarity and realism.

Midrange performance is a major strength, delivering clear, rich, weighty instruments and improved vocal/instrument resolution over the original, even if a few reviewers wanted vocals pushed further forward.

The Bathys MG works broadly across phones, computers, tablets, and wired sources, making it easy to use across mixed-device setups.

Multipoint is frequently praised as quick and seamless, with fast take-over when switching between phone and computer playback.

Multipoint is supported and often works well, though several reviewers mention occasional switching quirks that keep it from feeling completely polished.

Passive isolation benefits from an easy-to-achieve seal and helps overall noise reduction. A few notes suggest fit, glasses, or positioning can change results noticeably.

Passive isolation benefits from the over-ear seal and softer pads, though seal sensitivity with glasses is noted by at least one reviewer and total isolation still leans on ANC.

Portability is mixed: the headphones lie flat and the case is slimmer than before, but they do not fully fold and can take more bag space than foldable rivals.

Portability is decent for a premium over-ear: the headphone folds flat and the revised case is slimmer, but it still is not a truly compact travel design.

True Sound and other presets are appreciated for a quick, consistent baseline, but reviewers note the preset lineup is not extensive and serious tuning relies on the manual EQ.

Preset profiles, especially Dynamic, are viewed positively and can materially improve tonal balance depending on listener taste.

Replaceable earpads are a notable plus for longevity, though some reviewers note replacement may require service or specific procedures.

Replaceable earpads are explicitly mentioned and add welcome long-term serviceability.

Wear-detect and related sensors are commonly mentioned, with adjustability in the app and improved reliability versus older generations in some reports.

Convenience sensors are sparse, with at least one reviewer specifically calling out the lack of wear detection.

Sidetone adjustment is present in the app, but it is not explored deeply enough in reviews to suggest anything beyond basic usefulness.

Setup is generally easy, with quick pairing and a straightforward app experience. Firmware updates and feature rollouts are occasionally cited as timing-dependent.

Setup is usually straightforward, but the app and feature set are not always as polished or flexible as the best consumer-audio ecosystems.

Across reviews, the PX7 S3 is praised as one of the best-sounding wireless ANC over-ears in its price range, with an engaging, high-end presentation. A minority note the tuning can feel unconventional until you EQ it. Wired listening via USB-C is supported and often described as clearer or more detailed than Bluetooth, though some reviewers hear only modest gains. A few notes mention wired operation may require power and can be finicky depending on source and cable.

Across the file, the Bathys MG is repeatedly described as one of the best-sounding wireless headphones available, with standout refinement, detail, dynamics, and realism. Wired listening is a real strength, especially in USB-DAC mode, with reviewers repeatedly hearing cleaner, higher-resolution playback than over standard Bluetooth.

Soundstage is described as spacious and well-layered for a closed-back ANC headphone, though not the widest in class. Several reviews frame it as more focused or intimate than some rivals, with strong depth and imaging.

For a closed-back wireless design, the Bathys MG earns unusually strong soundstage marks, with convincing width, layering, and better spatial openness than most ANC rivals.

Spatial audio is mentioned as a planned or coming-soon feature in several reviews, but availability at launch is inconsistent. In current form, it is not a primary reason to buy.

Spatial audio is absent, and several reviewers explicitly note that Focal prioritized core sound over that feature.

Fit stability is mostly good for seated use and commuting, but a few comments suggest movement-related thumping or shifting during more active use.

Materials and serviceable parts (like pads and headband components) are positioned as more sustainable than fully disposable designs. Some reviews also emphasize vegan or leatherette options and longer-term repairability.

The packaging and material story show some environmental consideration, including recycled or FSC-style materials in the box and presentation.

There are no touch controls here, so anyone wanting swipe gestures or tap controls will not find them.

Transparency mode is often called natural and usable for announcements and quick conversations. Several comparisons say it is not the most open or bright in class, with some upper-frequency muffling.

Transparency mode is considered effective and natural enough for conversations and situational awareness without removing the headphones.

Treble is widely called airy and detailed with good sparkle. At louder listening levels, a few reviews mention sibilance or sharpness, so treble-sensitive listeners may prefer a mild EQ cut.

Treble is mostly clear, smooth, and detailed, but a few reviewers hear some edge or heat up top, especially on bright recordings or at louder levels.

USB-C implementation is strong, covering charging and audio, and enabling high-resolution wired playback with compatible sources.

USB-C is central to the product experience, handling charging and the high-value DAC mode for higher-resolution wired playback.

Voice assistant access is built in and works as expected through the dedicated button and supported platforms.

Volume output is strong, with several comparisons calling it louder than key competitors at the same device volume settings.

At roughly 300g, weight is acceptable for the materials and feels lighter than some heavy flagships, but heavier than the lightest Sony/Bose options. A few reviewers notice shifting while moving.

At about 350g the Bathys MG is not especially light, but most reviewers still find the weight well managed and comfortable in practice.