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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for a portable and convenient option with active noise cancelling and wireless features, the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 earbuds might suit you, although they have less soundstage due to their closed design. The Focal Elex headphones, on the other hand, offer an open design which typically provides a more expansive soundstage and a better overall sound quality, but they lack the noise-cancellation and wireless functionality of the PI7. The Elex also might be a better choice for critical listening due to their detailed sound reproduction, but they are less suitable for use in noisy environments or 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 Bowers and Wilkins PI7
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Focal Elex
- Good for music
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.8
7.7
The Focal Elex is good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair.
Gaming
8.1
6.9
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good for gaming, while the Focal Elex is only fair.
Phone Calls
5.1
4.3
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and Focal Elex are both poor for phone calls, though the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.8
7.1
The Focal Elex is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is poor.
TV and Video
6.8
8.3
The Focal Elex is very good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
8.3
2.5
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good for noise reduction, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Battery
3.0 Hours
N/A
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has 3 hours of battery life. The Focal Elex does not have a battery.
Cost
$399
$749
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has a price of $399 and the Focal Elex costs $749.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.9
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Focal Elex to have excellent build quality, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has very good build quality.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and the Focal Elex compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins PI7 | Focal Elex |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$399 | $749 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | Focal | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2021 | December 1, 2017 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 4.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.2/10 | 6.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6.9/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.8/10 | 4.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 3 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.7 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 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 | 8.4/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.5/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 450 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Bowers and Wilkins PI7
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Chase Bernath | April 2022
"The primary selling point of the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 is the charging case that can transmit audio from any analog source to the earbuds. If you have a very specific and clear need for that feature, then the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 is for you."
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 Bowers and Wilkins
Bowers and Wilkins is a British audio equipment manufacturer with a focus on innovation and product development. It was founded by a couple of real-life James Bonds, the co-founders John Bowers and Roy Wilkins, who met while working for MI6 during World War II. The company keeps being favored by enthusiasts due to their sound quality, craftsmanship and signature aesthetics.
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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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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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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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