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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize immersive sound quality and a wide soundstage for music, the Focal Elex may be a better choice with its open-back design providing a more expansive audio experience. However, these headphones are typically more costly than the Etymotic ER4XR. The Etymotic earbuds offer excellent noise isolation and portability, making them suitable for commuting or office use, and they come with a more accessible price point. Keep in mind that the Focal Elex's open-back design means they leak more sound and provide less isolation from ambient noise, which might not be ideal in noisy environments. 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 ER4XR
- Very good for music
Advantages of the Focal Elex
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Gaming
6.2
6.9
The Focal Elex and Etymotic ER4XR are both only fair for gaming, though the Focal Elex is somewhat better.
TV and Video
7.4
8.3
The Focal Elex is very good for TV and video, while the Etymotic ER4XR is good.
Noise Reduction
9.1
2.5
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Cost
$234
$749
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the Focal Elex costs $749.
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Key similarities
Music
8.0
7.7
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Etymotic ER4XR to be very good for music, while the Focal Elex is good.
Phone Calls
4.7
4.3
The Etymotic ER4XR and Focal Elex are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
7.1
The Etymotic ER4XR and Focal Elex are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Etymotic ER4XR and Focal Elex both have excellent build quality.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the Focal Elex compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | Focal Elex |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $749 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Focal | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | December 1, 2017 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 4.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 6.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 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 ER4XR
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | May 2015
"The Etymotic ER4XRs' top qualities are the detail and definition of the midrange, rewarding the closest listening. While the soundstage is large rather than gigantic, the excellent separation and spatial precision mean you can dive deep into music just as much as when wearing a pair of full-size open-backed headphones."
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 ER4XR 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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