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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Focal Elex is a high-end open-back headphone known for its excellent overall sound quality and soundstage, making it suitable for an immersive listening experience with music. However, its open design offers little noise isolation, which makes it less ideal for noisy environments or air travel. If you're looking for a headphone primarily for gaming, the JBL Quantum 100, despite being less expensive, scores higher in gaming sound quality, features a built-in microphone which the Elex lacks, and is closed-back, offering better noise isolation. For calls and meetings as well as portability, the JBL Quantum 100 might serve better due to its microphone and slightly more compact design. 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 Quantum 100
- Very good for gaming
Key differences
Music
7.7
7.0
The Focal Elex and JBL Quantum 100 are both good for music, though the Focal Elex is somewhat better.
Gaming
6.9
8.5
The JBL Quantum 100 is very good for gaming, while the Focal Elex is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.5
The JBL Quantum 100 and Focal Elex are both poor for phone calls, though the JBL Quantum 100 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
4.5
The Focal Elex is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
TV and Video
8.3
7.1
The Focal Elex is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Quantum 100 is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
5.3
The JBL Quantum 100 and Focal Elex are both poor for noise reduction, though the JBL Quantum 100 is somewhat better.
Cost
$749
$20
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Focal Elex has a price of $749 and the JBL Quantum 100 costs $20.
Build Quality
9.0
6.5
The Focal Elex has excellent build quality, while the JBL Quantum 100 has only fair build quality.
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How the Focal Elex and the JBL Quantum 100 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Elex | JBL Quantum 100 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2017 | May 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.9/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.4/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4/10 | |
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 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 10/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 450 Grams | 220 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
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."
JBL Quantum 100
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Dig into reviews and images
CNN Underscored
Wes Davis | July 2023
"I appreciate a functional piece of tech as much as I do gear on the bleeding edge, and the JBL Quantum 100 certainly falls in the former category. The sound is reasonably good, the built-in microphone is surprisingly reliable and it has a thoughtful design for the price. It lacks the convenience of Bluetooth, sure, but sometimes it’s nice not to have to worry about the finicky nature of wireless communication and go with good old hard-wired tech."
Get a great deal on the Focal Elex or the JBL Quantum 100
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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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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