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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize staying within a budget and need wireless earbuds suitable for exercise with good comfort, the Baseus Bowie MA10 could be suitable; however, they are not optimal for music enthusiasts. On the other hand, if you value excellent build and sound quality and don't mind spending more, the Focal Elex headphones could be a better choice, especially for listening to music and TV, though they lack a microphone for calls and aren't wireless or suited for exercise. The Elex offers open-back headphones which typically provide a more immersive soundstage but do little for noise isolation, making them less ideal for noisy environments or air travel compared to the closed enclosure and active noise canceling features of the Baseus Bowie MA10. 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 Baseus Bowie MA10
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Focal Elex
- Good for music
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
5.8
7.7
The Focal Elex is good for music, while the Baseus Bowie MA10 is poor.
Gaming
5.3
6.9
The Focal Elex is only fair for gaming, while the Baseus Bowie MA10 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.3
4.3
The Baseus Bowie MA10 and Focal Elex are both poor for phone calls, though the Baseus Bowie MA10 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.7
7.1
The Focal Elex is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Baseus Bowie MA10 is poor.
TV and Video
5.8
8.3
The Focal Elex is very good for TV and video, while the Baseus Bowie MA10 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.7
2.5
The Baseus Bowie MA10 is only fair for noise reduction, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Battery
8.0 Hours
N/A
The Baseus Bowie MA10 has 8 hours of battery life. The Focal Elex does not have a battery.
Cost
$23
$749
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Baseus Bowie MA10 has a price of $23 and the Focal Elex costs $749.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The Focal Elex has excellent build quality, while the Baseus Bowie MA10 has very good build quality.
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How the Baseus Bowie MA10 and the Focal Elex compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Baseus Bowie MA10 | Focal Elex |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$23 | $749 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Baseus | Focal | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2023 | December 1, 2017 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 4.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 6.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.9/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.7/10 | 4.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 8 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 3 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 132 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6.8/10 | 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 | 8/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 10 Grams | 450 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Baseus Bowie MA10
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Dig into reviews and images
Digital Trends
Simon Cohen | August 2023
"Even if the Bowie MA10 only had some of the features and performance they offer at double the price, they’d be a helluva good value. But given that they far exceed any other earbuds at this price, if you’re looking for an ultra-affordable set of wireless earbuds and you don’t mind their big charging case, you just can’t go wrong."
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."
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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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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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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