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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality and don't mind a wired connection, the Focal Elex would provide a superior listening experience and a wider soundstage, which is great for music and immersive TV and video. However, the higher price reflects these benefits. The Grado GT220 offers wireless convenience with good sound quality and is suitable for calls and meetings, and its more compact design and wireless charging case make it a better option for use during exercise, portability, and air travel. These earbuds are less expensive, so if budget and versatility are important, the GT220 might be the better choice. Keep in mind that the Focal Elex does not have a built-in microphone or controls for calls, whereas the GT220 includes these features. 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 Grado GT220
- Good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.7
6.3
The Focal Elex is good for music, while the Grado GT220 is only fair.
Gaming
6.9
5.1
The Focal Elex is only fair for gaming, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
6.9
The Grado GT220 is only fair for phone calls, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
8.8
The Grado GT220 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Focal Elex is good.
TV and Video
8.3
5.5
The Focal Elex is very good for TV and video, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
5.3
The Grado GT220 and Focal Elex are both poor for noise reduction, though the Grado GT220 is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
5.5 Hours
The Focal Elex does not have a battery. The Grado GT220 has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$749
$259
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Focal Elex has a price of $749 and the Grado GT220 costs $259.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
9.0
8.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Focal Elex to have excellent build quality, while the Grado GT220 has very good build quality.
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How the Focal Elex and the Grado GT220 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Elex | Grado GT220 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $259 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | Grado | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2017 | September 1, 2020 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.9/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.4/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 36 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 450 Grams | 5 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."
Grado GT220
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Alex Schiffer | October 2020
"With its superb and functional interface and its highly satisfying imaging, Grado has shown a new talent for delivering a solid true wireless system, and with future improvements, has the potential to really be one of the best."
Get a great deal on the Focal Elex or the Grado GT220
About Grado
Grado Labs is a small, family-owned, business based in Brooklyn New York that specializes in high-end, boutique, dynamic headphones and turntable cartridges. They boast a particular house sound, that is to say their products have a particular sound signature unique to Grado, that some audiophiles seem to really like and are unable to find anywhere else. Their high-end headphones are all hand made, completely in house, from a variety of exotic woods and materials going so far as to making one of their most popular products out of hemp.
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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.
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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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