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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 headphones offer excellent overall sound quality and a broad soundstage that makes them ideal for an immersive music experience; however, they lack a microphone, making them unsuitable for calls and meetings. They are wired, open-back headphones, better for home use due to their size and lack of noise isolation, not recommended for exercise, and not portable. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are more affordable wireless earbuds with good sound quality, active noise cancelling, a decent built-in mic, and are sweatproof, making them versatile for calls, exercising, and travel. They also have an app for audio customization and are optimized for both Android and Apple devices. If portability, exercise, and versatility across activities are important, go for the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro; if you're after a superior stationary listening experience at a higher price, consider the Focal Elex. 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
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
- Very good for music
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
6.9
8.3
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is very good for gaming, while the Focal Elex is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
7.0
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is good for phone calls, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
8.4
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Focal Elex is good.
TV and Video
8.3
7.7
The Focal Elex is very good for TV and video, while the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
9.1
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is excellent for noise reduction, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Battery
N/A
4.8 Hours
The Focal Elex does not have a battery. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro has 4.8 hours of battery life.
Cost
$749
$188
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Focal Elex has a price of $749 and the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro costs $188.
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Key similarities
Music
7.7
8.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro to be very good for music, while the Focal Elex is good.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Focal Elex and Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro both have excellent build quality.
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How the Focal Elex and the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Elex | Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $188 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | Samsung | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2017 | August 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.9/10 | 8.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.4/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 4.8 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
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 | 12 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
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 | 7.8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 450 Grams | 5.5 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."
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | April 2023
"Consider the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro as your next pair of buds for its excellent active noise canceling (ANC) of low frequencies and comfortable fit. For Samsung users, the integration with your devices is handy and good for productivity."
Get a great deal on the Focal Elex or the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
About Samsung
Samsung is a multinational conglomerate with over 85 years of history. They are mostly known to consumers for their high-end smartphones and TVs, however they are invested in many other markets like semiconductors and automotive. Samsung owns Harman International which itself owns other audio specialized companies like Harman Kardon, JBL and AKG who help engineer most, if not all, of Samsung audio products of their Galaxy line.
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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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Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
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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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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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