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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you favor convenience for use on the go, workouts, and frequent travel, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds with active noise canceling and a wireless design are a more practical choice. They are also rated higher for music listening and have a better score for portability and use during exercise. On the other hand, the Focal Elex headphones offer a superior open-back design that is favored for at-home listening and a wider soundstage, which may be preferable for critical listening. However, these headphones are more cumbersome and not suited for travel or exercise, lacking features such as active noise cancellation and wireless connectivity. 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 Ultra Earbuds
- Very good for music
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Focal Elex
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.6
7.7
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for music, while the Focal Elex is good.
Gaming
8.8
6.9
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for gaming, while the Focal Elex is only fair.
Phone Calls
5.1
4.3
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Focal Elex are both poor for phone calls, though the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
7.1
The Focal Elex is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is only fair.
Noise Reduction
8.9
2.5
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for noise reduction, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Battery
6.5 Hours
N/A
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Focal Elex does not have a battery.
Cost
$249
$749
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has a price of $249 and the Focal Elex costs $749.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
8.1
8.3
The Focal Elex and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are both very good for TV and video.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Focal Elex both have excellent build quality.
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How the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the Focal Elex compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds | Focal Elex |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$249 | $749 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | Focal | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2023 | December 1, 2017 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.7/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 4.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.8/10 | 6.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.2/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 4.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.5 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 | 21 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.9/10 | 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 | 6.2/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 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 Ultra Earbuds
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Soundguys
Christian Thomas | October 2023
"Bose put the time in to fix the major issues with the previous earbuds, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are very befitting of its price point. While you might be tempted to save a few bucks and go with the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II on sale, fight the urge. There are enough upgrades here to justify the newer model."
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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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.
By the numbers
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Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
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Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
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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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