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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for excellent noise isolation for commuting or to better focus on your music, the Etymotic ER2SE will serve you well and will be more wallet-friendly. However, if you prefer a wide soundstage for a more immersive music experience and don't mind spending more, the Focal Elex headphones are a superior choice. Keep in mind, the Elex are open-backed and bulky, less suitable for use in noisy environments or on the go, while the ER2SE earbuds offer greater portability alongside their noise isolation benefits. Neither option is optimal for exercise; both are wired and do not have built-in microphones, which makes them less suitable for calls or virtual meetings. 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 Etymotic ER2SE
- Very good for music
Advantages of the Focal Elex
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
8.8
7.7
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the Focal Elex is good.
Gaming
6.2
6.9
The Focal Elex and Etymotic ER2SE are both only fair for gaming, though the Focal Elex is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
4.9
4.3
The Etymotic ER2SE and Focal Elex are both poor for phone calls, though the Etymotic ER2SE is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
9.1
2.5
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Cost
$100
$749
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $100 and the Focal Elex costs $749.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
7.1
The Etymotic ER2SE and Focal Elex are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
7.8
8.3
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Focal Elex to be very good for TV and video, while the Etymotic ER2SE is good.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Etymotic ER2SE and Focal Elex both have excellent build quality.
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How the Etymotic ER2SE and the Focal Elex compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | Focal Elex |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $749 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Focal | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | December 1, 2017 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 4.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 6.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 4.3/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 450 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Etymotic ER2SE
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | April 2022
"Etymotic isn’t playing around: it takes audio seriously and has mastered the art of the noise-isolation earphone. Sure, the fit of the earbuds looks silly but it’s a signature Etymotic thing and could be considered charming by some. If you’re looking for best-in-class audio for a realistic price, the ER2SE is it."
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 Etymotic ER2SE or the Focal Elex
About Etymotic
Etymotic Research is an American based research, development and manufacturing company founded in 1983. They invented the first insert earphones that were used for the diagnosis and research of hearing loss and other auditory disorders. They went on to pioneer the market of high fidelity, isolating, in-ear earphones.
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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
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.
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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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