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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you seek superior sound quality for music and want a more open, airy soundstage with higher build quality, the Focal Elex is a stronger choice but understand that it may be less comfortable for extended use and is not as portable or exercise-friendly due to its larger size and open-back design. The Steelseries TUSQ, on the other hand, is more budget-friendly and features a good microphone, making it better for gaming and calls. However, it offers less impressive sound quality compared to the Elex, which might be noticeable in critical listening situations. 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 Steelseries TUSQ
- Very good for gaming
- Good for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
6.9
8.5
The Steelseries TUSQ is very good for gaming, while the Focal Elex is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.2
The Steelseries TUSQ and Focal Elex are both poor for phone calls, though the Steelseries TUSQ is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
4.7
The Focal Elex is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Steelseries TUSQ is poor.
TV and Video
8.3
7.3
The Focal Elex is very good for TV and video, while the Steelseries TUSQ is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.0
The Steelseries TUSQ is only fair for noise reduction, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Cost
$749
$30
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Focal Elex has a price of $749 and the Steelseries TUSQ costs $30.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Focal Elex has excellent build quality, while the Steelseries TUSQ has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.7
7.6
The Focal Elex and Steelseries TUSQ are both good for music.
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How the Focal Elex and the Steelseries TUSQ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Elex | Steelseries TUSQ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | Steelseries | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2017 | August 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.9/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.4/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.2/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 450 Grams | 11 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
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."
Steelseries TUSQ
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Can Buy or Not
Aloysius Low | March 2021
"The SteelSeries Arctis Tusq is a great headset for those on a more modest budget. You can use it for gaming or music, and I daresay it's also great for Zoom meetings when you don't want to be wearing on-ear or over-ear headphones."
Get a great deal on the Focal Elex or the Steelseries TUSQ
About Steelseries
Steelseries is a Danish gaming products manufacturer founded in 2001 and owned by GN Store Nord. Beside a large variety of gaming peripherals like mice, keyboards, and mousemats, Steelseries markets the Arctis line of gaming headsets which feature integrated boom microphones and RGB lighting. Steelseries has partnered with several game publishers and studios for limited editions of their products like a line of Cyberpunk 2077 themed headsets in 2020.
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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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