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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If audio fidelity is your top priority and you are willing to invest more, the Focal Elex would be the superior choice, known for its nuanced soundstage and detail, making them more suited for critical listening. However, if you're looking for versatile, everyday headphones with active noise cancellation, longer battery life, and added convenience features like Bluetooth connectivity, the Soundcore Space Q45 are more cost-effective while still offering good sound quality for casual uses such as travel, commute, or office work. The Focal Elex lacks active noise cancellation and wireless features, but excels in audio clarity which the Soundcore Space Q45 cannot match. 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 Space Q45
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.7
7.1
The Focal Elex and Soundcore Space Q45 are both good for music, though the Focal Elex is somewhat better.
Gaming
6.9
5.4
The Focal Elex is only fair for gaming, while the Soundcore Space Q45 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
4.9
The Soundcore Space Q45 and Focal Elex are both poor for phone calls, though the Soundcore Space Q45 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
5.9
The Focal Elex is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Space Q45 is poor.
TV and Video
8.3
5.6
The Focal Elex is very good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Space Q45 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.7
The Soundcore Space Q45 is very good for noise reduction, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Battery
N/A
41.0 Hours
The Focal Elex does not have a battery. The Soundcore Space Q45 has 41 hours of battery life.
Cost
$749
$130
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Focal Elex has a price of $749 and the Soundcore Space Q45 costs $130.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Focal Elex has excellent build quality, while the Soundcore Space Q45 has very good build quality.
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How the Focal Elex and the Soundcore Space Q45 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Elex | Soundcore Space Q45 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $130 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2017 | August 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.9/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.4/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 41 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
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 | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 450 Grams | 294.8 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 Space Q45
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Sound Guys
Riley Ballantyne | June 2023
"The Anker Soundcore Space Q45 is a great pair of active noise canceling (ANC) headphones, and the $150 USD price tag only sweetens the deal. Unlike many mid-tier wireless headphones, the Q45 microphone system rejects quite a bit of background noise, making this a great work headset too."
Get a great deal on the Focal Elex or the Soundcore Space Q45
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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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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