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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're after affordability and portability, the Beats EP headphones can be a suitable choice as they're less expensive and designed for easy day-to-day use. However, if audio fidelity is a priority and you're willing to invest more, the Focal Elex provides superior sound quality, ideal for a high-end audiophile experience. The Focal Elex is likely to offer a more detailed and spacious soundstage with nuanced audio reproduction, while the Beats EP is more convenient for casual listening on the go. Consider whether top-tier sound or budget-friendliness and convenience aligns more with your needs. 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 Beats EP
- Very good for music
Advantages of the Focal Elex
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
6.3
6.9
The Focal Elex and Beats EP are both only fair for gaming, though the Focal Elex is somewhat better.
TV and Video
7.6
8.3
The Focal Elex is very good for TV and video, while the Beats EP is good.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The Beats EP and Focal Elex are both poor for noise reduction, though the Beats EP is somewhat better.
Cost
$100
$749
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Beats EP has a price of $100 and the Focal Elex costs $749.
Build Quality
8.0
9.0
The Focal Elex has excellent build quality, while the Beats EP has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.1
7.7
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Beats EP to be very good for music, while the Focal Elex is good.
Phone Calls
4.2
4.3
The Focal Elex and Beats EP are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
7.1
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Focal Elex to be good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Beats EP is only fair.
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How the Beats EP and the Focal Elex compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats EP | Focal Elex |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $749 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Focal | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2018 | December 1, 2017 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.3/10 | 4.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 6.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.6/10 | 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 | 8/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 226.7 Grams | 450 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Dustproof Rating | |||
Dustproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Beats EP
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonecheck
Ulf Kaiser | 2015
"With the EP model, Beats delivers a stylish headphone with cable connection and hands-free functionality that should please consumers seeking a balanced sound for playback on mobile devices."
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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About Beats
Beats is an American, consumer-focused, audio products manufacturer. Founded originally by American rapper and producer Dr Dre, the company is now a subsidiary of Apple. Beats sells a wide range of audio products, including several models of headphones, earbuds and speakers as well as full car audio systems.
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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
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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