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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Focal Elex is a high-end option best for critical listening due to its open-back design and excellent sound quality, but it lacks features like a microphone, active noise canceling, and wireless connectivity. The Elex is also bulkier and not suitable for use during exercise or travel due to poor noise isolation and limited portability. On the other hand, the Soundcore Life Q30 is a more versatile choice for everyday use, with active noise canceling, a built-in microphone for calls, and a comfortable wireless design at a much more affordable price, making it a better option for travel, exercise, and casual listening. 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 Soundcore Life Q30
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.7
7.1
The Focal Elex and Soundcore Life Q30 are both good for music, though the Focal Elex is somewhat better.
Gaming
6.9
5.3
The Focal Elex is only fair for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.1
The Soundcore Life Q30 and Focal Elex are both poor for phone calls, though the Soundcore Life Q30 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
4.8
The Focal Elex is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
TV and Video
8.3
5.4
The Focal Elex is very good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q30 is very good for noise reduction, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Battery
N/A
44.0 Hours
The Focal Elex does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
Cost
$749
$80
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Focal Elex has a price of $749 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Focal Elex has excellent build quality, while the Soundcore Life Q30 has very good build quality.
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How the Focal Elex and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Elex | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2017 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.9/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.4/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 44 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.7 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
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 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 450 Grams | 263 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."
Soundcore Life Q30
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Headphones Addict
Peter Susic | December 2021
"Every once in a while, headphones with an excellent price/performance ratio arrive that truly deserves all attention. Anker Soundcore Life Q30 are one of those headphones. Of course, they aren’t perfect, but they do most things better than their competition. Or they give you the option to make them better."
Get a great deal on the Focal Elex or the Soundcore Life Q30
About Soundcore
Soundcore is a sub-brand belonging to Anker Innovations. Starting in 2014, initially marketing wireless, Bluetooth, speakers, Anker now offers an array of, budget-friendly, wireless earbuds and headphones that directly compete, especially in the Active Noise Canceling field, with other brands several times as expensive.
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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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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