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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Focal Elex headphones provide a more immersive experience with a superior sound quality and larger soundstage, making them excellent for at-home listening and critical music sessions. They're open-back and wired, restricting their use outside or during physical activities, as they don't block much noise and aren't portable. The Google Pixel Buds A Series are much more affordable, suitable for a wider range of activities including exercise, calls and meetings, and commuting. They offer good sound quality, are wireless with a decent battery life, and feature controls customized via an app, positioning them as versatile everyday earbuds, especially for on-the-go use. 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 Focal Elex
- Good for music
- Very good for TV and video
Advantages of the Google Pixel Buds A Series
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for exercise
- Good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.7
6.4
The Focal Elex is good for music, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is only fair.
Gaming
6.9
8.6
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for gaming, while the Focal Elex is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
8.5
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for phone calls, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
8.4
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Focal Elex is good.
TV and Video
8.3
7.8
The Focal Elex is very good for TV and video, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
4.6
The Google Pixel Buds A Series and Focal Elex are both poor for noise reduction, though the Google Pixel Buds A Series is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
5.0 Hours
The Focal Elex does not have a battery. The Google Pixel Buds A Series has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$749
$100
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Focal Elex has a price of $749 and the Google Pixel Buds A Series costs $100.
Build Quality
9.0
7.4
The Focal Elex has excellent build quality, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series has good build quality.
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How the Focal Elex and the Google Pixel Buds A Series compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Elex | Google Pixel Buds A Series |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2017 | June 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 6.4/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.9/10 | 8.7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.4/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 7.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 4.6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 450 Grams | 5.1 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
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."
Google Pixel Buds A Series
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | October 2022
"For the person who doesn’t want to think about their earphones while using them, Google has created the Pixel Buds A-Series. For a reasonable price, Google packs in a bevy of features like touch controls and a good fit into this Android-friendly set of earbuds to make productivity and life easier."
Get a great deal on the Focal Elex or the Google Pixel Buds A Series
About Google
Mainly known as the most popular search engine on the planet, Google is a multinational technology company that also offers a variety of audio-oriented products. Beside their smart speakers under the Nest product line, Google offers several models of true wireless earbuds under the Pixel line, some of which happen to be an affordable but very powerful option for those already in the Android ecosystem.
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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.
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.
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