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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If sound quality, particularly for music and a wide soundstage are your priorities, and you don't mind a wired connection, the Focal Elex with its very good overall sound and comfort, may be worth the investment. However, if wireless convenience, portability, exercise use, and the ability to handle calls and have active noise cancelling are important, you'll find the JBL Live Flex 3 suitable, with additional features like the Smart Charging Case, touch controls, and sweatproof certification. Keep in mind the Focal Elex lacks a microphone and isn't suited for portable use, whereas the JBL lacks in music fidelity compared to the Focal Elex. 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 Flex 3
- Very good for music
- Very good for exercise
Key differences
Gaming
6.9
5.5
The Focal Elex is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.2
The JBL Live Flex 3 and Focal Elex are both poor for phone calls, though the JBL Live Flex 3 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
5.9
The Focal Elex is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
TV and Video
8.3
5.7
The Focal Elex is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.3
The JBL Live Flex 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Battery
N/A
10.0 Hours
The Focal Elex does not have a battery. The JBL Live Flex 3 has 10 hours of battery life.
Cost
$749
$216
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Focal Elex has a price of $749 and the JBL Live Flex 3 costs $216.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Focal Elex has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Flex 3 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.7
8.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers JBL Live Flex 3 to be very good for music, while the Focal Elex is good.
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How the Focal Elex and the JBL Live Flex 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Elex | JBL Live Flex 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $216 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2017 | June 1, 2024 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.9/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.4/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 10 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 40 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 450 Grams | 8.8 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 Flex 3
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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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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