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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Focal Elex offers a slightly lesser overall sound quality than the Sennheiser HD600 and is heavier, but it has a detachable cable which may add to its durability and convenience. If you prioritize comfort and a higher sound quality over price, and don't mind the older model, the Sennheiser HD600 might suit you better; it's also lighter and less expensive. Both have similar soundstages, and neither has active noise cancelling or are sweatproof, making them less ideal for exercise or noisy environments. They excel in an open environment where sound leakage is not a concern. 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 Sennheiser HD600.
Advantages of the Sennheiser HD600
- Excellent for music
- Good for gaming
Key differences
Music
7.7
9.3
The Sennheiser HD600 is excellent for music, while the Focal Elex is good.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.0
The Sennheiser HD600 and Focal Elex are both poor for phone calls, though the Sennheiser HD600 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
7.9
The Sennheiser HD600 and Focal Elex are both good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Sennheiser HD600 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
8.3
8.9
The Sennheiser HD600 and Focal Elex are both very good for TV and video, though the Sennheiser HD600 is somewhat better.
Cost
$749
$350
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Focal Elex has a price of $749 and the Sennheiser HD600 costs $350.
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Key similarities
Gaming
6.9
7.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sennheiser HD600 to be good for gaming, while the Focal Elex is only fair.
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The Focal Elex and Sennheiser HD600 are both poor for noise reduction.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Focal Elex and Sennheiser HD600 both have excellent build quality.
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How the Focal Elex and the Sennheiser HD600 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Elex | Sennheiser HD600 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $350 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2017 | January 1, 1997 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
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 | 258.5 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."
Sennheiser HD600
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Headphonesty
Jean Mouchet | September 2021
"The HD600 are state-of-the-art headphones with high sound quality and remarkable value, among most of the offerings in today’s time."
Get a great deal on the Focal Elex or the Sennheiser HD600
About Sennheiser
A family-owned company, Sennheiser is a German, high fidelity, audio equipment manufacturer founded in 1945. Their consumer audio division is now owned by the Swiss hearing aid and cochlear implant manufacturer Sonova. Sennheiser offers a wide variety of, very high quality, audio equipment solutions, from headphones to earbuds, full sets of monitoring speakers, amplifiers and microphones. They also make what is widely regarded as the best, and most expensive, headphones in existence, the HE-1 Orpheus, costing a whopping $59,000 dollars.
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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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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