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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you value portability, wireless convenience, and features like active noise cancelling for travel or noisy environments, the Sony WF1000XM4 earbuds are better suited for you. They also deliver excellent sound quality, are more comfortable for long periods, and work well for calls and meetings. On the other hand, if sound quality for music listening is a top priority and you mainly use your audio gear in quiet spaces, the Focal Elex headphones, being open-back and wired, offer a more immersive and nuanced listening experience, but they lack the convenience of portability and call functions. 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 Sony WF1000XM4
- Excellent for music
- Very good for air travel
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.7
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent for music, while the Focal Elex is good.
Gaming
6.9
5.6
The Focal Elex is only fair for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
6.7
The Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair for phone calls, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Focal Elex is good.
TV and Video
8.3
6.0
The Focal Elex is very good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM4 is very good for noise reduction, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Battery
N/A
9.0 Hours
The Focal Elex does not have a battery. The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$749
$220
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Focal Elex has a price of $749 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
9.0
8.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Focal Elex to have excellent build quality, while the Sony WF1000XM4 has very good build quality.
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How the Focal Elex and the Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Elex | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2017 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.9/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.4/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 9 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 | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
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 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 450 Grams | 6.5 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 WF1000XM4
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | March 2023
"The headphones deliver a satisfying user experience, class-leading battery life, some of the best noise-cancelling we’ve heard in this category, and absolutely stunning sound quality."
Get a great deal on the Focal Elex or the Sony WF1000XM4
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
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
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
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.
Luis Torres
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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