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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize high-quality sound for music and have a generous budget, the Focal Elex, with its open-back design, is suitable for quiet environments and delivers very good overall sound quality and an immersive soundstage. However, its lack of wireless connectivity, absence of active noise cancelling, and being not sweatproof make it less ideal for exercise, travel, or noisy environments. On the other hand, JLab Go Air Pop offers portability and convenience with wireless connectivity, sweatproof certification, and a comfortable earbud design at a budget price. These earbuds are more suited for casual listening, use during exercise, and travel but offer less impressive sound quality compared to the Focal Elex. The choice depends on whether you value sound quality and are willing to invest more, or if you need versatility and affordability with good enough sound for everyday use. 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 JLab Go Air Pop
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.7
7.1
The Focal Elex and JLab Go Air Pop are both good for music, though the Focal Elex is somewhat better.
Gaming
6.9
5.5
The Focal Elex is only fair for gaming, while the JLab Go Air Pop is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.0
The JLab Go Air Pop and Focal Elex are both poor for phone calls, though the JLab Go Air Pop is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
5.7
The Focal Elex is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JLab Go Air Pop is poor.
TV and Video
8.3
6.1
The Focal Elex is very good for TV and video, while the JLab Go Air Pop is only fair.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.5
The JLab Go Air Pop is only fair for noise reduction, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Battery
N/A
9.0 Hours
The Focal Elex does not have a battery. The JLab Go Air Pop has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$749
$25
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Focal Elex has a price of $749 and the JLab Go Air Pop costs $25.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Focal Elex and JLab Go Air Pop both have excellent build quality.
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How the Focal Elex and the JLab Go Air Pop compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Elex | JLab Go Air Pop |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $25 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | JLab | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2017 | September 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.1/10 | |
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 | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.1 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 27 | |
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 | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 450 Grams | 3.9 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."
JLab Go Air Pop
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Dig into reviews and images
SoundGuys
Sam Smart | August 2023
"The JLab GO Air POP is a great option for anyone on a tight budget. This pair of true wireless earbuds checks all the boxes for earbud essentials, and performs pretty well in most areas. The microphone isn't great, but that's to be expected for something this inexpensive."
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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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