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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize noise isolation and wireless convenience for travel and calls, the Bose 700 with active noise cancelling is a more suitable and affordable choice. On the other hand, if you prefer open-back headphones for a wider soundstage and you're mainly using them at home or in quiet environments, the Focal Elex offers superior sound quality but at a higher price, with no active noise cancelling or wireless capabilities. Both headphones have a high comfort score, but the Bose 700 has added features like app customization and longer battery life for use on the go. 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 Bose 700
- Very good for phone calls
- Best in class for air travel
Advantages of the Focal Elex
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Gaming
5.3
6.9
The Focal Elex is only fair for gaming, while the Bose 700 is poor.
Phone Calls
8.3
4.3
The Bose 700 is very good for phone calls, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
7.1
The Bose 700 and Focal Elex are both good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Bose 700 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
5.6
8.3
The Focal Elex is very good for TV and video, while the Bose 700 is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
2.5
The Bose 700 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Battery
20.0 Hours
N/A
The Bose 700 has 20 hours of battery life. The Focal Elex does not have a battery.
Cost
$299
$749
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bose 700 has a price of $299 and the Focal Elex costs $749.
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Key similarities
Music
7.5
7.7
The Focal Elex and Bose 700 are both good for music.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Bose 700 and Focal Elex both have excellent build quality.
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How the Bose 700 and the Focal Elex compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose 700 | Focal Elex |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$299 | $749 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | Focal | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2019 | December 1, 2017 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.3/10 | 4.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 6.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.5/10 | 4.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 20 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | 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 | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 8/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 263 Grams | 450 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Bose 700
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Adam Molina | June 2023
"Bose took active noise canceling and made it mainstream but eventually, the market caught up. Well, it seems like Bose was listening, because the Noise Canceling Headphones 700 is a complete redesign of its iconic product. The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 have a new design, improved sound quality, a touch-sensitive gesture pad for playback controls, and even USB-C charging."
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 Bose
Bose is an American audio equipment manufacturer based out of Framingham, Massachusetts. Founded in 1964 by Amar Bose with the goal of creating a speaker system that could accurately recreate the sound of a concert hall, Bose has become one of the most prominent players in the modern consumer audio market due to the premium feel of their products and their wide brand recognition.
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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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