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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If portability and wireless convenience are important to you, the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX earbuds would be the better choice, as they are small, offer noise isolation, and have a longer battery life with additional charging from their case. They support AptX Adaptive for better sound quality over Bluetooth and are optimized for both Android and Apple devices. Conversely, if you prioritize the very best sound quality and are mainly listening in quiet environments, the Focal Elex headphones provide an open-back design known for a more natural soundstage but lack noise isolation and are not suitable for exercise or travel due to their size, weight, and being wired. The Focal Elex also doesn't have a built-in mic, making it less suitable for calls or meetings, whereas the Beoplay EX has a good integrated microphone. 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 Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Focal Elex
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
9.3
6.9
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is excellent for gaming, while the Focal Elex is only fair.
Phone Calls
5.3
4.3
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX and Focal Elex are both poor for phone calls, though the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.1
7.1
The Focal Elex is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is only fair.
TV and Video
8.9
8.3
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX and Focal Elex are both very good for TV and video, though the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
8.3
2.5
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is very good for noise reduction, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Battery
6.5 Hours
N/A
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Focal Elex does not have a battery.
Cost
$399
$749
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has a price of $399 and the Focal Elex costs $749.
Build Quality
10.0
9.0
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has best in class build quality, while the Focal Elex has excellent build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.9
7.7
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX and Focal Elex are both good for music.
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How the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX and the Focal Elex compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX | Focal Elex |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$399 | $749 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bang and Olufsen | Focal | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | December 1, 2017 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.4/10 | 4.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.3/10 | 6.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 9/10 | 4.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 22 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 10/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 450 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
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Dig into reviews and images
Leaf and Core
Danielle | January 2023
"If you’ve wanted truly wireless headphones, but couldn’t pick them up because they sound terrible, these will be the headphones that win you over. If you’re the kind of person who would consider spending $400 on headphones, these are the right truly wireless headphones for you."
Focal Elex
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Dig into reviews and images
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."
Get a great deal on the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX or the Focal Elex
About Bang and Olufsen
Bang and Olufsen is an almost century-old electronic goods manufacturer based in Denmark with a very special focus on design. Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen created the first AC radio in 1925 and went on to develop televisions, telephones and, of course, headphones and loudspeakers. Today, they are partnered with several companies, like Audi, BMW and Aston Martin, to provide very high-quality audio solutions.
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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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