The Focal Bathys has already earned a reputation as one of the strongest examples of how far Bluetooth headphones can go when high-end driver design and onboard DAC functionality are brought together. While its wireless performance is impressive on its own, DAC mode is where the Bathys starts to feel less like a premium consumer headphone and more like a serious closed-back audiophile option. That makes the cable you use more important than it might seem at first. The Strauss & Wagner Narva is a USB-A to USB-C cable designed for fast charging, high-speed data transfer, and long-term durability, but its potential usefulness goes beyond everyday device connectivity.
It presents itself as a practical third-party cable for Bathys users who spend most of their listening time at a computer. For this review, I wanted to see whether the Narva could help the Focal Bathys get more out of its DAC mode and whether it makes a meaningful difference in everyday wired listening.
What Is the Strauss & Wagner Narva?
The Strauss & Wagner Narva is a 2-meter USB-A to USB-C cable built for both fast charging and high-speed data transfer. It uses the USB 3.2 Gen 2 standard to support transfer speeds up to 10Gbps, making it suitable for large files, high-resolution media, backups, and external SSDs. For charging, it supports 3A fast charging, with up to 60W available depending on the connected device and power adapter. Its build includes nickel-plated connectors, tinned copper conductors, reinforced aluminum connector housings, and a layered PVC/TPE/nylon-braided jacket for durability, flexibility, and resistance to everyday wear. It is compatible with a wide range of USB devices.
Why The Focal Bathys?
The Focal Bathys is one of the best headphones on the market, regardless of Bluetooth functionality. There are a lot of headphones you can use wired through their USB Type-C ports, but the Bathys makes the effort to add its own onboard DAC to really boost sound performance with its 24bit 192kHz resolution. You can get this with the Bathys’ stock USB cable, but what about third-party options that might increase quality further? Something like the Strauss & Wagner Narva might be very useful if you own the Focal Bathys, but you’re mostly stuck sitting at your computer all day. That’s where I found myself with the Bathys, trying to find ways to play around with the sound and really see what this DAC is capable of.
Sound Impressions
If you look back at my initial review and subsequent comparison reviews for the Focal Bathys, I’ve said that the sound is closer to audiophile mid-budget than consumer Bluetooth. This is no surprise when you know Focal’s reputation, but when you listen to the Bathys, it still finds ways to wow me. It’s just a great closed-back headphone that happens to be Bluetooth, but if you really want the full experience, you need to use the DAC mode, in my opinion. This really boosts the performance of the Bathys, making it comparable to higher-end audiophile closed-backs. With the Narva attached, here are all the differences I could make out. First of all, the overall resolution is a clear step up.
In the midrange, instruments have a more physical weight to them, and they sound full and natural in timbre. This is supported by low-mid warmth that is super resonant but transparent on the Bathys. Wirelessly, these frequencies are a bit boomier, but with the Narva attached in DAC mode, the tone is clearer while maintaining energy. This goes for the bass as well, which is granted more depth with its more apparent sub-bass foundation.
The lows have a broader pool to sit in, and it results in a meatier impact. While there’s definitely texture, the profile of the mids and lows just feels more real than when the Bathys is in Bluetooth mode. The treble has slightly more snap to it, but is mostly the same. However, the soundstage increases height and separation significantly. The width is about the same, but the sense of cavernous space in the imaging is more of a factor.
Summary
The Strauss & Wagner Narva works well as a practical upgrade for Focal Bathys owners who regularly use DAC mode at a desk. While it is still a cable first and foremost, its sturdy build, two-meter length, USB 3.2 Gen 2 support, and fast-charging capability make it feel more substantial than a basic pack-in option. For general use, it already checks the right boxes for speed, durability, and convenience.
Where it becomes more interesting is in how it supports the Bathys’ strongest wired qualities. In DAC mode, the Bathys gains a cleaner sense of resolution, fuller midrange body, tighter low-end depth, and more spacious imaging compared to Bluetooth playback. The Narva does not change the core character of the headphones, but it helps create a more stable and revealing connection that lets the Bathys feel more open, physical, and refined. For listeners who already appreciate the Bathys as a high-end wireless headphone but want to explore its wired potential, the Strauss & Wagner Narva is an easy cable to recommend as part of a desktop listening setup.
The Strauss & Wagner Narva and the Focal Bathys are available at Audio46.
