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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
The Focal Elex, being an open-back headphone with very good overall sound quality and soundstage, offers a more immersive listening experience preferred for music and quiet environments. However, its lack of wireless capability, active noise canceling, and lower comfort during exercise and travel make it less versatile than the JBL Live 670NC. The JBL model, with active noise canceling and wireless features, is more suitable for commutes, workouts, and varied listening situations including calls and meetings, but has poorer sound quality. If budget allows and you prioritize audio fidelity in a static environment, choose Focal Elex; for convenience and varied use, prefer JBL Live 670NC. 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 JBL Live 670NC
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.7
6.5
The Focal Elex is good for music, while the JBL Live 670NC is only fair.
Gaming
6.9
5.4
The Focal Elex is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Live 670NC is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
7.4
The JBL Live 670NC is good for phone calls, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
8.6
The JBL Live 670NC 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 JBL Live 670NC is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.7
The JBL Live 670NC is only fair for noise reduction, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Battery
N/A
65.0 Hours
The Focal Elex does not have a battery. The JBL Live 670NC has 65 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 JBL Live 670NC costs $100.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Focal Elex has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live 670NC has very good build quality.
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How the Focal Elex and the JBL Live 670NC compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Elex | JBL Live 670NC |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2017 | March 1, 2024 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.9/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.4/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 65 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 450 Grams | 217 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."
Get a great deal on the Focal Elex or the JBL Live 670NC
About JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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