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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Focal Elex will offer superior sound quality and a more detailed listening experience, which is great for audiophiles or for use in quiet environments where you can appreciate this detail. However, they are more expensive and do not have features like noise cancellation or wireless connectivity. On the other hand, the Sony WH-1000XM5, while offering good sound quality, also provides active noise cancellation, which is great for commuting or noisy environments, and wireless convenience for on-the-go users. If you prioritize noise cancellation and wireless functionality over the absolute highest sound quality and are looking to save money, the Sony may be the better 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
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony WH-1000XM5
- Very good for music
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
6.9
5.6
The Focal Elex is only fair for gaming, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Focal Elex are both poor for phone calls, though the Sony WH-1000XM5 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
6.0
The Focal Elex is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is only fair.
TV and Video
8.3
5.8
The Focal Elex is very good for TV and video, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
9.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Battery
N/A
40.3 Hours
The Focal Elex does not have a battery. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$749
$398
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Focal Elex has a price of $749 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $398.
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Key similarities
Music
7.7
8.2
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WH-1000XM5 to be very good for music, while the Focal Elex is good.
Build Quality
9.0
8.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Focal Elex to have excellent build quality, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 has very good build quality.
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How the Focal Elex and the Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Elex | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $398 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2017 | May 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.9/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.4/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 40.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
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 | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 450 Grams | 249.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof 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."
Sony WH-1000XM5
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir | February 2023
"The Sony WH-1000XM5 are the best Sony Bluetooth headphones so far and one of the most well-rounded Bluetooth headphones around. Look no further if you need class-leading ANC with a mostly inoffensive sound signature. Just be ready to pony up the price premium."
Get a great deal on the Focal Elex or the Sony WH-1000XM5
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
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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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