Hello-fi Bluetooth listening has been the discuss of the city for the reason that launch of the Sennheiser HDB 630. What different headphones compete with the extent of element, depth, and options? Naturally, Focal has come up in these conversations, having held the crown for fairly a while. This brings up the plain query: how do the Sennheiser HDB 630 and Focal Bathys evaluate? After we put these two headphones aspect by aspect, we’re in a position to lay out all of the finer particulars that make these headphones related and completely different. When you’re seeking to improve however wish to make an knowledgeable alternative, this comparability assessment is only for you. Each the Sennheiser HDB 630 and the Focal Bathys supply beautiful high quality for his or her value.
WHAT COMES IN THE BOX
SENNHEISER HDB 630
- HDB 630 closed-back headphones
- BTD 700 Bluetooth® USB C dongle
- 1.20 m USB-C audio and charging cable
- 1.20 m audio cable with 3.5 mm plug
- In-flight adapter
- Carrying case
FOCAL BATHYS
- Focal Bathys
- Inflexible carrying case equipped
- 2 cables equipped: one 4ft (1.2m) Jack cable; one 4ft (1.2m) USB-C® cable
- Fast begin information
DESIGN & BUILD QUALITY
Beginning with the construct high quality, Sennheiser and Focal take two completely different approaches. The Sennheiser HDB 630 is harking back to the MOMENTUM 4, however with barely smaller earcups. The HDB 630 and the Bathys have builds which can be bulkier than different Bluetooth headsets, however they differ drastically in weight. The Sennheiser HDB 630 is far lighter than the Focal Bathys. The Bathys have a bit extra weight because of the completely different supplies and completely different know-how inside, however this might show to be fatiguing over lengthy intervals. The Sennheiser HDB 630 presents a a lot lighter different.
Each the HDB 630 and Bathys are available in a impartial black shade with silver particulars to focus on their firm logos. In the mean time, the Sennheiser HDB 630 solely is available in black; the Focal Bathys have silver and dune shade variations. Every headphone comes with a case and all the required cables for charging and wired listening, however the HDB 630 steps it up with the addition of the BTD 700 dongle adapter.
USER FUNCTIONALITY
On the subject of options and performance, Sennheiser and Focal have two very completely different outlooks. To begin with fundamental capabilities, the HDB 630 continues the smart-touch controls seen in its predecessor. The fitting ear cup serves because the central hub for all controls. You’ll be able to swipe, faucet, and use zoom motions to entry all of your fundamental controls like play, pause, quantity, observe playback, and ANC adjustment. There may be one button on the underside of the HDB 630 earcup to show the headphones on and off and set them into pairing mode. The HDB 630 additionally helps wired listening, with a USB-C port for charging and a 2.5mm port for wired listening.
In the meantime, the Bathys take a extra analog method. As an alternative of making an attempt to navigate contact controls, you could have tactile buttons and switches to activate completely different controls. You may have a change to show it on, then three buttons that allow you to management quantity, observe quantity, and play/pause. On the ability change, you may toggle between USB-C DAC mode or simply common energy for Bluetooth or 3.5mm wired connection. There may be one other button for toggling between ANC and transparency modes, however no technique to alter it in increments like you may on the HDB 630.
ANC & ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Lively noise cancelling is changing into an ordinary in any wi-fi headset, and these two headphones are not any exception. The HDB 630 and Bathys include energetic noise-cancelling know-how, although yow will discover some variations between them. Whereas the Bathys solely have set on and off modes for its ANC, the HDB 630 permits you extra personalised management with a sliding scale of ANC and transparency. With ANC on the max setting on each headphones, I discovered the Sennheiser to have barely stronger noise cancelling versus the Focal. Nonetheless, each present ample isolation and do not let the ambient atmosphere distract you out of your music.
The Sennheiser HDB 630 and Focal Bathys are each ready to connect with their firm’s companion app to entry further options. Between the 2, the Sennheiser HDB 630 provides customers the final word customizable expertise. You may have preset EQ filters and the choice for creating your personal personalised filters. As an alternative of simply sliding predetermined ranges up or down, you could have entry to parametric EQ (PEQ) for extra actual and concentrated frequency adjustment. Add the flexibility to straight evaluate a customized filter with the one you simply made, and you’ve got the best setup for adjusting your audio. Together with PEQ, the HDB 630 additionally comes with a crossfeed function that makes your headphones sound extra like a stereo speaker setup. For extra fashionable recordings, this function is not something too particular. Nonetheless, when listening to older recordings that have been simply studying about panning and upgrading to stereo, the crossfeed function means that you can get higher imaging in your observe.
Then again, Focal retains issues quite simple. You get some in-app options, comparable to ANC adjustment and EQ, however they are not as exact as these discovered within the HDB 630. When you simply desire a headphone that sounds good out of the field and do not want all the flowery customized options, the Bathys are an ideal match. The Sennheiser HDB 630 caters to the choosy listeners who want full management over each facet of their music listening.
PHOTO GALLERY
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
SENNHEISER HDB 630
- Ear coupling: Over-ear
- Ear pad materials: Leatherette (artificial)
- Decision: As much as 24 bit / 96 kHz with USB-C, analog enter, or BTD 700 Bluetooth® USB C Dongle
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2
- Codec help: aptX™ Adaptive™, aptX™ HD, aptX™, AAC, SBC
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Frequency response:
- USB: 6 Hz – 40 kHz (solely when utilizing Line-In, USB (96 kHz) or Bluetooth with aptX adaptive (96kHz))
- 6 Hz – 22 kHz (in any other case)
- Nominal impedance: Lively 480 Ω
- Sound stress degree (SPL): 105 dB (1 kHz / 0 dBFS)
- THD, whole harmonic distortion: <0.2 % (1 kHz / 100 dB SPL)
- Acoustic design: Closed-back
- Transducer: Electrodynamic (shifting coil)
- Weight: 311 g (with out cable)
FOCAL BATHYS
- Kind: Closed-back wi-fi headphones with energetic noise cancelling
- Bluetooth Expertise: 5.1 Multipoint
- Bluetooth Vary: >15m
- Bluetooth Frequency Vary: 2042MHz – 2480MHz
- Audio Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX™ Adaptive, aptX™
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Battery Life:
- 30 hours Bluetooth Noise Canceling
- 35 hours 3.5mm jack
- 42 hours USB-C DAC
- Voice Assistants: Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa
- Different Options: Google Quick Pair
- Speaker Drivers: 1 5/8” (40mm) Aluminium-Magnesium ‘M’-shaped dome, made in France
- Frequency Response: 15Hz to 22kHz
- Harmonic Distortion Fee: <0.2% @ 1kHz
- Microphones: 8
- Weight: 0.77lbs (350g)
LISTENING REVIEW
SOUNDSTAGE & IMAGING
Now onto the primary a part of our comparability: the listening portion. Listening to those two headphones aspect by aspect revealed loads of similarities and particulars that made them worthy of one another’s competitors. We begin with the soundstage, which is impressively extensive on each. What stood out on each of those headphones is the unimaginable depth that they had of their soundstage, the place the frequencies took steps again to create a wider, extra immersive listening expertise with ease. The HDB 630 had a barely narrower soundstage than the Bathys. The Bathys have been in a position to develop out wider for higher instrument placement within the stereo discipline. The Focal Bathys excelled essentially the most in instrument placement over the HDB 630, though the HDB 630 had a bit extra depth and peak as compared. While you take a look at these headphones compared to different Bluetooth headphones, they showcase rather more depth and separation than their rivals.
Their sound signatures have been additionally fairly related, as they each excelled in pure sound copy that was flatter for extra analytical listening. The HDB 630 sounded thinner due to an emphasis on treble copy, whereas the Bathys have been a bit fuller and took up more room within the sound discipline. Each sound signatures have been well-balanced between the three important frequency ranges. They each offered a really pure sound copy, one which grew to become slightly extra dynamic within the Bathys however stayed flat within the HDB 630.
BASS FREQUENCIES
The decrease vary frequencies within the Sennheiser HDB 630 are very managed. You get an in depth bass response that additionally stays fairly full, so the low finish would not really feel skinny or missing any depth. Sennheiser infamously doesn’t have a powerful bass response compared to different headphones, however the HDB 630 is a step above what we have heard from Sennheiser previously. I discover this bass response to be fairly detailed and matches the vitality in each style you place via it. All through the whole lot of the bass signature, the Sennheiser HDB 630 stays clear and recent to keep away from muddiness in these devices. Bass drums and low guitars have additional kick and texture, they usually keep managed to not overpower the entire signature.
In the meantime, the Focal Bathys have a constantly thick and full bass response. While you take a look at it as compared with the Sennheiser headphone, you positively can hear a distinction within the emphasis on bass. The Bathys have a thicker bass sound, one which takes up the low finish and builds a strong basis for every little thing else. Not as soon as does it get washed out or does element get compromised alongside the way in which. I loved the Bathys for his or her barely recessed low finish, so the midrange and treble can shine a bit extra. The bass is simply thick sufficient to be current and grounding, however would not deliver down the whole lot of the signature to make it heavy. If something, it provides the Bathys an added heat that the HDB 630 doesn’t have, making all of them the extra pleasant.
MIDRANGE FREQUENCIES
Midrange element is one thing each these headphones do exceptionally effectively. Sennheiser has lengthy been identified to provide some nice reference headphones, and this carries over to the HDB 630 as effectively. The midrange stands out as the primary function of those headphones, highlighting element throughout melodic devices to maintain you entertained for all 60 hours of battery life. This vary accentuates the depth of the soundstage via the layering of all of the devices. The feel and element the HDB 630 provides are spectacular, and if it is not fairly sufficient, you may at all times use the parametric EQ to intensify the spots that carry essentially the most texture (one thing you may’t do on the Bathys).
The Focal Bathys have an analogous midrange response. Element and texture come via above all, whereas additionally being introduced ahead to create a really slight V-shape within the signature. The Bathys are excellent for engineers who’re on the go and need one thing to research their sound with Bluetooth comfort. The midrange retains devices’ pure timbres within the combine, and the separation means that you can actually hone in on the sound of every particular person aspect. When trying on the Bathys midrange versus the HDB 630, you get slightly higher separation between the weather within the Bathys versus the HDB 630. The depth remains to be extremely efficient and has loads of good element within the HDB 630, however the Bathys pull forward for a stronger analytical aspect.
TREBLE FREQUENCIES
Rounding out the sound signature is the treble finish. The Sennheiser HDB 630 presents the treble exceptionally effectively, with refined element and readability that matches what you get within the different ranges. The treble is vibrant and sharp in locations the place it must be, however stays relaxed sufficient to not be overly piercing. I did recognize the area that this finish supplied; it was a pleasant stability to the low finish being very current. The HDB 630 follows within the footsteps of different Sennheiser headphones that make the highest finish a spotlight and memorable a part of the sound signature. The element on this part carries via the sound signature to ensure each half has the identical readability because the treble.
The Bathys take a calmer and fewer attacking method to the excessive finish. It sits behind the midrange, very similar to the bass response, and serves to offer additional element throughout the signature. The treble is evident and has an ethereal high quality, so it is much less intense in your tracks. You continue to get spectacular element and readability, nevertheless it stays refined to make the signature extra open and lighter. The ANC would not weigh every little thing down, however as a substitute will get lifted as much as be much less fatiguing and brighter. With the heat of the low finish, the treble within the Bathys is a pleasant stability to ensure issues do not sound too heavy. It will not be as sharp because the HDB 630, however the Bathys be sure that top-end devices are clear and exact in any observe.
FINAL THOUGHTS: HDB 630 OR BATHYS?
The Sennheiser HDB 630 and the Focal Bathys are each sturdy contenders for high-end Bluetooth headphones. Extra business fashions like Sony or Bose are nice for options and day-to-day performance, however sound high quality positively will get a step up with these two fashions. Sennheiser and Focal set you up for achievement with equipment and options for simple listening that shall be a noticeable improve out of your present setup. How do which one is the fitting alternative for you? Let’s break it right down to its easiest factors:
When you’re somebody who would not care about options, the Focal Bathys are an excellent alternative. You get very fundamental performance with the addition of an inside DAC for an additional enhance in high quality in wired listening. The Bathys function a wonderful alternative for audiophiles seeking to department out from business manufacturers and need one thing with extra finesse and nice element.
Select the Sennheiser HDB 630 in order for you full management over your sound. There is not an adjustment you may’t make, and with easy-to-use contact controls, you might be all set to pay attention precisely how you want and if you like. On the finish of the day, listening to each aspect by aspect will let you know precisely which you favor.
You will get the Sennheiser HDB 630 and the Focal Bathys at Audio46.
HDB 630 VS BATHYS QUICK SUMMARY
Sennheiser HDB 630: $499.95 // Focal Bathys: $549
Each headphones supply ANC and wi-fi listening, with the choice for lossless by way of USB-C/3.5mm.
Sennheiser HDB 630 carries numerous customizable options like crossfeed, PEQ, and ANC adjustment, one thing that the Focal Bathys shouldn’t have.
Depth of the soundstage is a spotlight on each; Focal Bathys have extra width, however the Sennheiser HDB 630 excels in depth.
Midrange readability and treble element make the HDB 630 memorable; the Focal Bathys have a hotter bass response.
Each headphones include a 2-year guarantee and equipment to make listening simple wherever you might be.
