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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Focal Elex, being open-backed headphones with superior overall sound quality, provides an immersive audio experience, making them exceptional for music and TV if you're in a quiet space. However, they're not suited for calls or meetings and they lack convenience for exercise and travel due to their size and cable requirement. On the other hand, the JBL Vibe Beam, as true wireless earbuds, offers more flexibility with good sound for calls, meetings, and portability, perfect for exercise and travel. If budget allows and you mainly listen at home, the Focal Elex shines, otherwise, the JBLs are versatile for on-the-go use and more budget-friendly. 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
Advantages of the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless
- Good for phone calls
- Good for gaming
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.7
6.6
The Focal Elex is good for music, while the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
7.8
The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless is good for phone calls, while the Focal Elex is poor.
TV and Video
8.3
6.9
The Focal Elex is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless is only fair.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.5
The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless is only fair for noise reduction, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Battery
N/A
8.3 Hours
The Focal Elex does not have a battery. The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless has 8.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$749
$50
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Focal Elex has a price of $749 and the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless costs $50.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Focal Elex has excellent build quality, while the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
6.9
7.3
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless to be good for gaming, while the Focal Elex is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
7.3
The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless and Focal Elex are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
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How the Focal Elex and the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Elex | JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2017 | February 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.9/10 | 7.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 8.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.1 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 16 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
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 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 6/10 | |
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."
JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphone Dungeon
LaFonda | April 2023
"The Vibe Beam earbuds may not be a sleek as other earbuds in the price range, such as the equally priced Vibe Buds, but they sound great, have a long battery life, and come with an equalizer. And if you just need a solid pair if earbuds to get you through your commute, these will do the trick. I have no complaints here."
Get a great deal on the Focal Elex or the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless
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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Why trust us
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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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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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