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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize exceptional sound quality and have a higher budget, the Focal Elex would be a better choice; however, they're wired, bulkier, and less convenient for on-the-go use or exercise. The Sony WH-CH520, while less expensive and offering slightly inferior sound quality, provide comfort and convenience with a wireless option, lighter weight, a longer battery life, and are suitable for various activities, including calls, meetings, gaming, and travel. The Sony headphones also offer supporting features like an integrated microphone, app customization, and virtual surround, which the Focal Elex doesn't have. 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 Sony WH-CH520.
Advantages of the Sony WH-CH520
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
6.9
8.8
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for gaming, while the Focal Elex is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
6.7
The Sony WH-CH520 is only fair for phone calls, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
8.0
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Focal Elex is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
4.6
The Sony WH-CH520 and Focal Elex are both poor for noise reduction, though the Sony WH-CH520 is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
52.0 Hours
The Focal Elex does not have a battery. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$749
$40
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Focal Elex has a price of $749 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $40.
Build Quality
9.0
7.0
The Focal Elex has excellent build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.7
7.6
The Focal Elex and Sony WH-CH520 are both good for music.
TV and Video
8.3
8.2
The Focal Elex and Sony WH-CH520 are both very good for TV and video.
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How the Focal Elex and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Elex | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2017 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.9/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 52 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 4.6/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 450 Grams | 147.41 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-CH520
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Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | September 2023
"If you’re looking for headphones that simply do what you ask them to: the Sony WH-CH520 is a decent option, even if it isn’t very exciting. Sony’s WH-CHXXX line fits this role quite well, and the WH-CH520 offers a decent raft of quality-of-life updates over its predecessor that should keep listeners happy. If the Sony WH-CH520 were a car, it’d be the boring-but-safe commuter compact."
Get a great deal on the Focal Elex or the Sony WH-CH520
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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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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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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