Focal Elex
Focal Elex
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
MUSIC: Good—7.7/10
CALLS: Poor—4.3/10
GAMING: Fair—6.9/10
TV: Very Good—8.3/10
PODCASTS & AUDIOBOOKS: Good—7.1/10
EXERCISE: Poor—4.3/10
AIR TRAVEL: Poor—4.1/10
NOISE REDUCTION: Poor—2.5/10
BUILD QUALITY: Excellent—9.0/10
The Focal Elex are high-end open-back over-ear headphones known for their excellent overall sound quality. They are wired, ensuring consistent audio fidelity without latency issues, making them great for music and TV, but they lack a built-in microphone, making them unsuitable for calls and meetings. Comfort is a strong point due to their over-ear design, but they are quite large and not portable or exercise-friendly. They also don't have noise-cancelling capabilities, so they might not be the best choice for noisy environments. The Elex is built well with a detachable cable for convenience, and they are made with a dynamic driver to deliver detailed audio reproduction. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Evaluation
Pros
- Superb overall sound quality
- Excellent soundstage and imaging
- Comfortable for long listening sessions
- High build quality with a detachable cable
- Dynamic driver type for natural sound
Cons
- Poor performance during calls and meetings
- Not suitable for gaming, lacks low latency
- Inadequate for exercise, not sweatproof
- Not travel-friendly, very large and poor noise isolation
Ratings by Category
TV & Video:4.5
The Focal Elex headphones are excellent for watching TV and videos because they are wired, avoiding latency issues that can cause audio to be out of sync, and they offer very good sound quality, which enhances the overall viewing experience. Additionally, their very good soundstage and imaging provide a more immersive and spatial audio experience, while the headphones are also noted for their comfort, allowing for extended viewing sessions without discomfort.
Music:4.3
The Focal Elex headphones have an open enclosure type which contributes to a very good soundstage and imaging, creating an immersive listening experience for music. They also boast a very good overall sound quality, ensuring that the audio is represented with clarity and fidelity.
Podcasts & Audiobooks:4.0
This score evaluates the product when used solely to listen to podcasts or audiobooks. It takes into account sound quality and sound signature, to be able to keep voices clear and intelligible. It also considers battery life, when available, and comfort.
Gaming:3.9
The Focal Elex offers very good soundstage and imaging, which are beneficial for an immersive gaming experience, but the microphone quality is poor, which can be a drawback for communication in multiplayer games. Additionally, while these headphones are wired, ensuring low latency suitable for gaming, the lack of a good microphone may require purchasing an external one for better voice chat clarity.
Full Specs
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
| Price | $749 | ||
Brand | Focal | ||
Release Date | December 1, 2017 | ||
Form Factor | Headphones | ||
Connectivity | Wired | ||
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score  | 7.8/10 | ||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | ||
Gaming Score | 6.9/10 | ||
TV and Video Score | 8.4/10 | ||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | ||
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | No | ||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | ||
Virtual Surround | No | ||
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | 9/10 | ||
Comfort score | 8/10 | ||
Weight | 450 Grams | ||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | ||
Dustproof Rating | 0 | ||
Shopping
Focal Elex
See more
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."
Comparison charts
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you may be interested in
Compare Focal Elex to similarly priced alternatives
FAQs
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
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
122,900
Recommendations made
18,435
Consumer hours saved
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.
Luis Torres
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.
Featured in
