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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica M50x offers a closed-back design which provides better noise isolation, making it well-suited for environments where you don't want to be disturbed by outside noise or do not wish to disturb others. It's known for a good build quality and overall sound, and its detachable cable makes it portable. On the other hand, the Focal Elex comes with an open-back design that typically results in a wider soundstage for a more immersive listening experience but with less noise isolation. It's more expensive, and due to its open design and larger size, it's less portable. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Audio Technica M50x
- Very good for music
- Good for air travel
Advantages of the Focal Elex
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
8.5
7.7
The Audio Technica M50x is very good for music, while the Focal Elex is good.
Gaming
6.3
6.9
The Focal Elex and Audio Technica M50x are both only fair for gaming, though the Focal Elex is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The Audio Technica M50x and Focal Elex are both poor for noise reduction, though the Audio Technica M50x is somewhat better.
Cost
$149
$749
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audio Technica M50x has a price of $149 and the Focal Elex costs $749.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The Focal Elex has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica M50x has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.4
4.3
The Audio Technica M50x and Focal Elex are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0
7.1
The Focal Elex and Audio Technica M50x are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
7.8
8.3
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Focal Elex to be very good for TV and video, while the Audio Technica M50x is good.
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How the Audio Technica M50x and the Focal Elex compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica M50x | Focal Elex |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $749 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Focal | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2007 | December 1, 2017 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 4.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 6.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.3/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.3/10 | 8/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 294.8 Grams | 450 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Dustproof Rating | |||
Dustproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audio Technica M50x
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | October 2022
"Good sound is timeless. It doesn’t matter that a number of years have passed since the ATH-M50x came out because it still works well. Since this wired headset doesn’t rely on batteries or Bluetooth technology, it’s bound to outlast its wireless counterparts. The no-nonsense performance, fit, and comfort of the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x make it worth picking up."
Focal Elex
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Golden Sound
Golden Sound | October 2021
"The Focal Elex are an excellent pair of headphones for the money and a great all-rounder that will suit many tastes. They’re an easy recommendation for anyone looking for something comfortable, well built, that looks good, and will work with just about any genre."
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About Audio Technica
Audio Technica is a 60-year-old, Japan-based, professional audio equipment manufacturer. They started off making phonograph cartridges and have expanded their scope of products ever since to include extremely popular models of microphones and headphones. They have been the official audio equipment supplier of several editions of the Summer and Winter Olympics and every edition of the Grammy Awards since 1998.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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