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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If comfort and noise isolation during travel are your top priorities, the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones, with their superb active noise cancelling and excellent comfort, would be a great fit. They are well-suited for TV and video with low latency and are wireless, enhancing their convenience. However, if you prioritize the most authentic and immersive listening experience, especially for music in quieter environments, then the Focal Elex, with its open-back design, might serve you better. Keep in mind that the Focal Elex lacks wireless connectivity, noise cancelling, and a microphone, making them less versatile for calls or use in noisier settings. 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 Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones
- Very good for music
- Excellent for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
- Best in class for air travel
Advantages of the Focal Elex
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.3
7.7
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is very good for music, while the Focal Elex is good.
Gaming
9.3
6.9
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is excellent for gaming, while the Focal Elex is only fair.
Phone Calls
5.3
4.3
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones and Focal Elex are both poor for phone calls, though the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
7.1
The Focal Elex is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is only fair.
TV and Video
9.0
8.3
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is excellent for TV and video, while the Focal Elex is very good.
Noise Reduction
9.1
2.5
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is excellent for noise reduction, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Battery
29.0 Hours
N/A
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones has 29 hours of battery life. The Focal Elex does not have a battery.
Cost
$429
$749
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones has a price of $429 and the Focal Elex costs $749.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones and Focal Elex both have excellent build quality.
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How the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones and the Focal Elex compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones | Focal Elex |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$429 | $749 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | Focal | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2023 | December 1, 2017 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 4.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.3/10 | 6.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.1/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.4/10 | 4.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 29 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 | |
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 | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7.4/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 10/10 | 8/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 255 Grams | 450 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones
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Dig into reviews and images
SoundGuys
Christian Thomas | January 2024
"The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are a credible step up from previous Bose ANC headphones, and they're built to hang tough with the competition for years into the future. No waterproofing is a bit of a letdown, but these headphones have the technical chops to make most quite happy."
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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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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