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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize convenience and modern features like Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and wireless connectivity, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are a great fit, especially for air travel and exercise due to their good noise isolation, comfort, and sweatproof design. However, for the most authentic audio quality, particularly with music and TV, the Focal Elex headphones excel with a better overall sound quality and soundstage, although their open-back design and lack of a microphone limit their use in noisy environments and for calls. Keep in mind the earbuds are more portable while the headphones are bulkier and need a wired connection. 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 QuietComfort Earbuds II
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Focal Elex
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
5.5
6.9
The Focal Elex is only fair for gaming, while the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is poor.
Phone Calls
5.1
4.3
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and Focal Elex are both poor for phone calls, though the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
7.1
The Focal Elex is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is only fair.
TV and Video
6.2
8.3
The Focal Elex is very good for TV and video, while the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is only fair.
Noise Reduction
9.1
2.5
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is excellent for noise reduction, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Battery
7.0 Hours
N/A
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II has 7 hours of battery life. The Focal Elex does not have a battery.
Cost
$199
$749
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II has a price of $199 and the Focal Elex costs $749.
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Key similarities
Music
7.4
7.7
The Focal Elex and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are both good for music.
Build Quality
9.2
9.0
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and Focal Elex both have excellent build quality.
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How the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and the Focal Elex compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II | Focal Elex |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$199 | $749 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | Focal | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2022 | December 1, 2017 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 4.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 6.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.5/10 | 4.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 7 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 20 | 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 | 6.5/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9.2/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.6/10 | 8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7.7 Grams | 450 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | September 2023
"Bose’s flagship wireless earbuds were never going to be cheap, but the question was whether they’d be competitive in an area of the market where rivals have never been more capable. The fact that the company has not only managed to implement a successful redesign, but also push the envelope for noise-cancelling and sound quality in such a highly competitive category simultaneously is truly impressive."
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 Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II or the Focal Elex
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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Why trust us
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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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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