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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize top-notch sound quality for an immersive music experience at home and don't mind a higher price, the Focal Elex with its open-back design is a strong choice but note that it's not ideal for noisy environments, exercise, or travel due to poor noise isolation and portability. On the other hand, if you need versatility for activities like commuting, exercising, and casual use at a lower price, the JBL Live 770NC offers good sound quality, active noise cancelling, added convenience of wireless use, and a sweatproof design, although it may not match the Focal's audio fidelity for critical listening. 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
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL Live 770NC
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
6.9
5.6
The Focal Elex is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Live 770NC is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.2
The JBL Live 770NC and Focal Elex are both poor for phone calls, though the JBL Live 770NC is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
5.9
The Focal Elex is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live 770NC is poor.
TV and Video
8.3
5.8
The Focal Elex is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Live 770NC is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
7.0
The JBL Live 770NC is good for noise reduction, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Battery
N/A
76.0 Hours
The Focal Elex does not have a battery. The JBL Live 770NC has 76 hours of battery life.
Cost
$749
$130
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Focal Elex has a price of $749 and the JBL Live 770NC costs $130.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Focal Elex has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live 770NC has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.7
7.4
The Focal Elex and JBL Live 770NC are both good for music.
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How the Focal Elex and the JBL Live 770NC compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Elex | JBL Live 770NC |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $130 | ||
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 | 7.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.9/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.4/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.1/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 76 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 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 | 7/10 | |
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 | 220 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 770NC
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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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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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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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