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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Focal Elex offers a more immersive listening experience with a superior overall sound quality and a wider soundstage which is great for music and TV, however, it may not be best for gaming due to its lack of low latency. If you travel frequently or use your headphones during exercise, the Marshall Major IV with its foldability, higher durability, and impressive battery life, along with being wireless, makes it a highly portable and convenient option. The Major IV also provides better noise isolation, which is favorable in noisy environments. Keep in mind that the Elex lacks a microphone, making it unsuitable for calls, while the Major IV excels with its built-in mic for clear calls and meetings. The Elex is the pricier choice, so if budget is a concern, the Major IV offers these practical advantages at a lower price point. 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 Marshall Major IV
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.7
6.6
The Focal Elex is good for music, while the Marshall Major IV is only fair.
Gaming
6.9
5.4
The Focal Elex is only fair for gaming, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.8
The Marshall Major IV and Focal Elex are both poor for phone calls, though the Marshall Major IV is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
6.1
The Focal Elex is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Marshall Major IV is only fair.
TV and Video
8.3
5.7
The Focal Elex is very good for TV and video, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
5.6
The Marshall Major IV and Focal Elex are both poor for noise reduction, though the Marshall Major IV is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
80.0 Hours
The Focal Elex does not have a battery. The Marshall Major IV has 80 hours of battery life.
Cost
$749
$100
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Focal Elex has a price of $749 and the Marshall Major IV costs $100.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Focal Elex has excellent build quality, while the Marshall Major IV has very good build quality.
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How the Focal Elex and the Marshall Major IV compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Elex | Marshall Major IV |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | Marshall | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2017 | October 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.9/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.4/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 80 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 5.7/10 | |
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 | 9/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 450 Grams | 165 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
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."
Marshall Major IV
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Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2023
"The Marshall Major IV shares quite a bit in common with its predecessor, but a key upgrade appears to be softer ear cushions. They make upgrading worth it. As a set of basic wired or wireless headphones the Major IV ticks most boxes by remaining easy to use, and fairly comfortable (at least, as on-ear headphones go)."
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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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