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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're a serious music enthusiast and you value a more open, high-fidelity audio experience, the Focal Elex would serve you well, although you'll be paying a premium price for it and it lacks features like a built-in microphone. On the other hand, the Turtle Beach Recon 70 provides good sound at a budget price along with a boom microphone, making it a better option for gaming and calls. The Focal Elex has an open-back design, which can offer a more spacious soundstage but doesn't isolate sound well, so it's not ideal in noisy environments or for privacy. The Turtle Beach, with its closed-back design and boom microphone, could be more versatile for different activities. If portability or using headphones during exercise is important, you might find both models less suitable due to their larger size and design. 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
Advantages of the Turtle Beach Recon 70
- Best in class for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
Key differences
Music
7.7
7.1
The Focal Elex and Turtle Beach Recon 70 are both good for music, though the Focal Elex is somewhat better.
Gaming
6.9
8.4
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is very good for gaming, while the Focal Elex is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
9.6
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is best in class for phone calls, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
7.6
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 and Focal Elex are both good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Turtle Beach Recon 70 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
8.3
7.5
The Focal Elex is very good for TV and video, while the Turtle Beach Recon 70 is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
5.6
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 and Focal Elex are both poor for noise reduction, though the Turtle Beach Recon 70 is somewhat better.
Cost
$749
$48
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Focal Elex has a price of $749 and the Turtle Beach Recon 70 costs $48.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Focal Elex has excellent build quality, while the Turtle Beach Recon 70 has very good build quality.
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How the Focal Elex and the Turtle Beach Recon 70 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Elex | Turtle Beach Recon 70 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $48 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | Turtle Beach | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2017 | May 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 9.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.9/10 | 8.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.3/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 10/10 | |
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 | 309 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
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."
Turtle Beach Recon 70
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Sound Guys
Sam Moore | September 2022
"There aren’t many considerations to make here. The Turtle Beach Recon 70 sounds decent, offers solid chat audio, feels good to wear over long periods, and it works everywhere. If you’re in the market for a simple plug-and-play option, you could do a whole lot worse (and spend a whole lot more money). Regardless, if getting something cheap that works well is the only thing you care about, this is a great option."
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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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