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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Focal Elex headphones are suited for a premium listening experience with better overall sound quality, especially if you enjoy a wide soundstage and are willing to invest in a higher-priced product. They don't have a microphone, so they wouldn't be appropriate for calls, and their open-back design means they won't isolate noise well, which could be an issue for air travel or noisy environments. On the other hand, the KZ ZSN Pro earbuds are much more affordable and include a microphone, making them versatile for calls and meetings. They offer good sound quality for the price and better suitability for exercise, given their lighter weight and portability. While they won't match the Focal Elex in terms of sound, they are more practical for on-the-go use and situations that require communication. 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 KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic)
- Very good for gaming
Key differences
Gaming
6.9
8.0
The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is very good for gaming, while the Focal Elex is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.1
The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) and Focal Elex are both poor for phone calls, though the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
4.9
The Focal Elex is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is poor.
TV and Video
8.3
7.4
The Focal Elex is very good for TV and video, while the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
5.3
The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) and Focal Elex are both poor for noise reduction, though the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is somewhat better.
Cost
$749
$24
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Focal Elex has a price of $749 and the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) costs $24.
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Key similarities
Music
7.7
7.7
The Focal Elex and KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) are both good for music.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Focal Elex and KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) both have excellent build quality.
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How the Focal Elex and the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Elex | KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $24 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | KZ | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2017 | March 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.9/10 | 8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.4/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.3/10 | |
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 | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
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 | 7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | In-Line | |
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."
KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic)
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Dig into reviews and images
PrimeAudio
David Becker | 2019
"Undoubtedly the focus and the star of the show, the ZSN Pro’s bass is big, bold and bangin’. The amount of gusto in the low end should satisfy anyone who likes a large lick of bass and even certified bassheads will probably get a kick out of this."
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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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