Sony WH-1000XX Collexion vs Focal Bathys Comparison Review

SOUNDSTAGE & IMAGING

Sonically, what differences do you expect to find in the Sony 1000XX and the Focal Bathys? Initial impressions tell me that the main difference lies in their profiles. Both explore detail in the signatures very well, but the Sony 1000XX definitely has a darker, bassier reproduction. The Focal Bathys take on a more neutral, balanced profile that is good for analytical listening just as much as entertainment. The soundstages in both headphones are fairly wide, though the Bathys have a bit more horizontal space and width than the Sony 1000XX. The 1000XX has a more frontal image that is still very immersive. The sound profiles both produce realistic-sounding instruments that encourage active listening. 

The soundstage on each of these headphones is incredibly wide, though they do present the sound in their own unique way. Where the Bathys are not as dynamic-heavy and lean on horizontal space, the Sony 1000XX has a taller, more forward wall of sound. This is the sound presented in the 'Standard' listening mode, as opposed to the filters with 360 Upmix. The Bathys stay level and expand more in depth with their standard sound signature. The sound in the Bathys is more even and stays relatively flat in comparison to the sound signature from the Sony 1000XX. Imaging is slightly more accurate on the Bathys than the 1000XX, and the separation is more stark and apparent on the Bathys as well. If you're looking for a headphone that is expansive and rich in detail, the Bathys are an excellent option. Their wide soundstage is nothing short of impressive, and it makes listening three-dimensional in all listening modes. If you are someone who likes a bit more dynamic color to the signature and has a love for strong bass, the Sony 1000XX may be a better choice. The sound is more forward and is perfect for engaging music listening.

No matter which headphone you choose, you are sure to be placed right in the middle of your tracks and set up for an enjoyable listening session. Mixing and mastering engineers who need travel-friendly reference cans may find a better match in the Bathys, while the everyday listener and bass-lover might like the 1000XX a bit more. 

BASS FREQUENCIES

The low end can make or break a headphone, and both the Bathys and the 1000XX do a great job in producing an accurate and deep bass response. The Sony headphones offer a stronger bass presence that really punches in every track. Sony has always been known for having a powerful bass in their headphones, and the 1000XX is no exception. Stepping from the XM5 and the XM6, which both have very strong bass responses, the 1000XX extends its response to the sub-bass more naturally during playback. This creates a deeper, more entertaining signature that puts you deeper into the tracks. That extra bit of rumble makes the foundation of the 1000XX a little stronger and thicker, so you get a powerful listening session that you can feel just as much as listen to. 

The Bathys, to their credit, are also pretty bassy. With the addition of active noise cancelling and effective passive isolation, the low end is much more pronounced. Still, the Bathys have more controlled reproduction and a brighter color to the low frequencies to highlight detail over boominess. Everything sounds startlingly accurate, whereas in the Sony there is a slight synthetic edge with how prominent the bass becomes. The natural timbres and textures of instruments are a highlight in the Bathys' bass section, making it geared for those who may not want a super overwhelming bass. 

MIDRANGE FREQUENCIES

The midrange in these headphones highlights the main melodies throughout your listening. Out of the two, the midrange stands out more on the Bathys because of how evenly it sits amongst the bass and treble. The midrange is a highlight on the Bathys because it comes forward to focus all attention on the detail and precision of the reproduction. The expansive soundstage is used to its maximum, and you can hear how the elements in the midrange extend horizontally as well as backwards. It is a highly detailed listening experience in the Bathys, and the midrange proves that time and time again. While the Bathys do take on a colder, more analytical reproduction of instruments, you are still guaranteed an entertaining listening experience by the way details are precisely laid out in the soundstage. 

All that being said, the Sony WH-1000XX does produce an excellent midrange. The instruments work in harmony together to create a cohesive picture at the front of the sound profile. You have a lot of character and detailed color in the 1000XX in comparison to the analytical sound of the Bathys, but you can still appreciate each minute element with ease in the headphones. I wouldn't necessarily use them as reference headphones, but you can certainly do some tuning with the personalized EQ function to highlight the midrange and texture more. The midrange remained fun and exciting in all genres, especially when it came to producing vocal-heavy tracks. Singers came right to the front to be the star of the show, and everything else filtered around it. It was a nice addition to intimate, acoustic tracks where the vocalists are a heavier feature. 

TREBLE FREQUENCIES

Both headphones are exceptionally bright, though they stay balanced enough to let the entire signature come through evenly. The Bathys have a brighter treble response than the Sony 1000XX, but it stays controlled so as not to make frequencies piercing or overly sharp. Because the bass isn't as powerful, the treble in the Bathys comes through with more attack and carries that attack through to the high mids and the bass timbres. The treble also made the Bathys sound a lot lighter as a whole, where the soundstage opened up significantly because of the airiness. The space at the top end made the tail of other frequencies ring out realistically, so nothing cut off too sharply or awkwardly to sound synthetic. This aids the reference profile the Bathys have, making instruments in every range sound natural and honest.

The Sony 1000XX also had a very bright treble, one that was more colorful and provided light airiness to all the textures across the profile. The treble was more recessed in this range in comparison, but it still shone through quite well in the face of a powerful low-end response. The treble in the 1000XX is soft and lightweight, not as attacking as the treble in the Bathys. Still, you get a lot of space that extends up to the ultra-highs, and frequencies have the space to ring out and dissipate naturally. If you're a fan of strong treble detail, you might find the 1000XX a bit underwhelming, but the detail does come through just enough to bring a brightness to the 1000XX's profile.