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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If you prioritize top-notch sound quality for music and a wide soundstage, Focal Elex headphones are suited for critical listening, particularly at home due to their open-back design, size, and wired connection; however, they lack convenience features like a built-in microphone and controls, and are not ideal for exercise or travel due to their poor noise isolation and bulkiness. On the other hand, JBL Tune Buds are wireless, more portable, and feature a built-in microphone and controls, making them better for casual listening, exercise, and travel; yet, their audio experience for music and video may be less immersive than the Elex. Choose Focal Elex for an immersive home listening experience, and JBL Tune Buds for convenience and versatility on the go. 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
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL Tune Buds
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.7
6.2
The Focal Elex is good for music, while the JBL Tune Buds is only fair.
Gaming
6.9
5.4
The Focal Elex is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Tune Buds is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
4.9
The JBL Tune Buds and Focal Elex are both poor for phone calls, though the JBL Tune Buds is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
5.8
The Focal Elex is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Tune Buds is poor.
TV and Video
8.3
6.1
The Focal Elex is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Tune Buds is only fair.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.7
The JBL Tune Buds is only fair for noise reduction, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Battery
N/A
10.4 Hours
The Focal Elex does not have a battery. The JBL Tune Buds has 10.4 hours of battery life.
Cost
$749
$50
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Focal Elex has a price of $749 and the JBL Tune Buds costs $50.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Focal Elex has excellent build quality, while the JBL Tune Buds has very good build quality.
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How the Focal Elex and the JBL Tune Buds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Elex | JBL Tune Buds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2017 | May 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.9/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.4/10 | 6.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 7.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 10.4 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 30 | |
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 | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6/10 | |
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 | 10.8 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."
JBL Tune Buds
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Tim Gideon | September 2023
"JBL’s Tune Buds stick with the company’s signature bass-heavy sound by default, but a quality in-app EQ lets you sculpt the audio to taste. These noise-cancelling true wireless earphones also mitigate environmental distractions fairly well for the price and offer good battery life. If you're specifically seeking bold, bass-tuned audio out of the box, the Tune Buds are worth a listen."
Get a great deal on the Focal Elex or the JBL Tune Buds
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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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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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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