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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If superior sound quality is your priority and you don't mind a higher cost, the Focal Elex would be an excellent choice; they offer an audiophile-grade listening experience. However, they are wired headphones that lack the convenience of wireless connectivity. On the other hand, the Sony Linkbuds offer a more affordable price, wireless ease, and are good for on-the-go use, such as commuting or exercise. They also include features like touch controls and environmental awareness, but they won't match the Elex's sound fidelity. Consider your primary use case and whether portability or sound quality is more important to you in making your choice. 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
Advantages of the Sony Linkbuds
- Good for exercise
Key differences
Music
7.7
6.6
The Focal Elex is good for music, while the Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
Gaming
6.9
5.5
The Focal Elex is only fair for gaming, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
6.8
The Sony Linkbuds is only fair for phone calls, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
7.8
The Sony Linkbuds and Focal Elex are both good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Sony Linkbuds is somewhat better.
TV and Video
8.3
5.4
The Focal Elex is very good for TV and video, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Battery
N/A
5.5 Hours
The Focal Elex does not have a battery. The Sony Linkbuds has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$749
$178
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Focal Elex has a price of $749 and the Sony Linkbuds costs $178.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The Focal Elex and Sony Linkbuds are both poor for noise reduction.
Build Quality
9.0
9.3
The Sony Linkbuds and Focal Elex both have excellent build quality.
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How the Focal Elex and the Sony Linkbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Elex | Sony Linkbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $178 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2017 | February 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.9/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.4/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 17.5 | |
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 | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 450 Grams | 4.5 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."
Sony Linkbuds
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Sam Moore | February 2022
"The Sony LinkBuds is definitely the most unique audio product to release so far in 2022, and it largely executes well on it's unoccluded design. However, it's hamstrung by all the same things as other unsealed earbuds."
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About Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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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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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