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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
The Focal Elex headphones, being open-back and over-ear, provide an immersive music and TV experience with excellent sound quality and a very good soundstage. They are wired, more suited for quiet environments, and lack features like active noise cancelling and wireless connectivity. On the flip side, JBL Tune Flex earbuds are much less expensive, offer good portability, and target an active lifestyle with features like sweatproof certification and a low latency mode for gaming. They have a closed-back design with good noise isolation, and while their overall sound quality is very good, they may be less suitable for critical listening compared to the Focal Elex. If priorities align with high-fidelity sound at home, go with the Focal Elex, but if you prefer versatility and features accommodating an on-the-go lifestyle, the JBL Tune Flex might be the better choice. 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
Advantages of the JBL Tune Flex
- Very good for gaming
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
6.9
8.5
The JBL Tune Flex is very good for gaming, while the Focal Elex is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
6.3
The JBL Tune Flex is only fair for phone calls, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
9.0
The JBL Tune Flex is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Focal Elex is good.
TV and Video
8.3
7.8
The Focal Elex is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Tune Flex is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.5
The JBL Tune Flex is only fair for noise reduction, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Battery
N/A
6.5 Hours
The Focal Elex does not have a battery. The JBL Tune Flex has 6.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$749
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Focal Elex has a price of $749 and the JBL Tune Flex costs $60.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Focal Elex has excellent build quality, while the JBL Tune Flex has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.7
7.3
The Focal Elex and JBL Tune Flex are both good for music.
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How the Focal Elex and the JBL Tune Flex compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Elex | JBL Tune Flex |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2017 | September 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.9/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.4/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 6.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
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 | 5.1/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 450 Grams | 9 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 Flex
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Dig into reviews and images
MajorHiFi
Gabby Bloch | May 2023
"JBL is offering a similar design and arguably better resolution than the more expensive AirPods 3rd Generation. Add to that a comfortable and versatile fit, an equalizer and pretty decent ANC, and you’ve got a quality wireless earphone. I would have loved longer battery life and more crystal calls, but for the price, you can’t complain. A solid deal overall."
Get a great deal on the Focal Elex or the JBL Tune Flex
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
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
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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