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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If immersion in music is your priority, the Philips Fidelio X2HR offers a slightly higher sound quality and better soundstage, making them great for home listening. They're also more comfortable, which is crucial for long sessions. However, the Focal Elex has a reputation for excellent build quality, and while it provides an impressive sound experience, it may not significantly outperform the Fidelio X2HR in most listening scenarios. Despite the Focal Elex's higher cost, the Philips option delivers many of the same benefits at a lower price, making it a strong value if budget is a concern and you are not seeking the specific characteristics of the Focal sound. Neither set provides active noise cancellation or wireless features, which could be relevant if you value portability or use in noisier environments. Both are wired, open-back models suited for quiet environments and not recommended for exercise or travel due to their size and lack of isolation. 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
- The Focal Elex has no clear advantages over the Philips Fidelio X2HR.
Advantages of the Philips Fidelio X2HR
- Excellent for music
- Good for gaming
Key differences
Music
7.7
9.3
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is excellent for music, while the Focal Elex is good.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.0
The Philips Fidelio X2HR and Focal Elex are both poor for phone calls, though the Philips Fidelio X2HR is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
7.9
The Philips Fidelio X2HR and Focal Elex are both good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Philips Fidelio X2HR is somewhat better.
TV and Video
8.3
8.8
The Philips Fidelio X2HR and Focal Elex are both very good for TV and video, though the Philips Fidelio X2HR is somewhat better.
Cost
$749
$148
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Focal Elex has a price of $749 and the Philips Fidelio X2HR costs $148.
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Key similarities
Gaming
6.9
7.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Philips Fidelio X2HR to be good for gaming, while the Focal Elex is only fair.
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The Focal Elex and Philips Fidelio X2HR are both poor for noise reduction.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Focal Elex and Philips Fidelio X2HR both have excellent build quality.
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How the Focal Elex and the Philips Fidelio X2HR compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Elex | Philips Fidelio X2HR |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $148 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | Philips | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2017 | September 1, 2014 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.9/10 | 7.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.4/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.5/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 450 Grams | 390 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Dustproof Rating | |||
Dustproof 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."
Philips Fidelio X2HR
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Liquid Audio
Stefan | May 2022
"This piece is a fantastic option for music lovers searching for premium sound and a snug fit. You should get these headphones if you care about sound quality and want to hear music in a new light. This technology is a great option for high-quality headphones with superb sound reproduction."
Get a great deal on the Focal Elex or the Philips Fidelio X2HR
About Philips
Philips is a Dutch conglomerate and electronics manufacturer with over 130 years of history. Philips makes the Fidelio audio line which includes several models of full-sized wired and wireless headphones, true wireless earbuds. soundbars and wireless speakers.
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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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