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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If price is a major concern and you're interested in a balanced sound with good bass and midrange, the Focal Elex may be the better option; they are also known for having a sturdy build. The Sennheiser HD800S, while more expensive, are acclaimed for their expansive soundstage and detailed sound, making them excellent for critical listening and genres like classical music. They might be less suited for bass-heavy genres. Also, consider comfort for long listening sessions; the Sennheiser is known for its comfort, whereas the Focal's fit might be tighter. Both lack microphones, so for calls or gaming, consider alternatives. 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 HD800S.
Advantages of the Sennheiser HD800S
- Best in class for music
- Good for gaming
- Best in class for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.7
9.9
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for music, while the Focal Elex is good.
Gaming
6.9
7.5
The Sennheiser HD800S is good for gaming, while the Focal Elex is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.0
The Sennheiser HD800S and Focal Elex are both poor for phone calls, though the Sennheiser HD800S is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
8.1
The Sennheiser HD800S is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Focal Elex is good.
TV and Video
8.3
9.7
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for TV and video, while the Focal Elex is very good.
Cost
$749
$1,600
$350
$360
$370
$380
$390
$400
The Focal Elex has a price of $749 and the Sennheiser HD800S costs $1,600.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The Focal Elex and Sennheiser HD800S are both poor for noise reduction.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Focal Elex and Sennheiser HD800S both have excellent build quality.
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How the Focal Elex and the Sennheiser HD800S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Elex | Sennheiser HD800S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $1,600 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2017 | December 1, 2015 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 10/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.9/10 | 7.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.4/10 | 9.7/10 | |
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 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 450 Grams | 371.9 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 HD800S
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Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | March 2023
"The cans offer stellar sound quality, comfort, and good maintenance options—so they're an easy recommendation if you have the cash and the need for the last headphones you'll buy for years."
Get a great deal on the Focal Elex or the Sennheiser HD800S
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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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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