Noble Audio is thought for its wired and wi-fi earbuds. Its hybrid driver IEMs are effectively revered in audiophile circles although they’ve solely had merchandise available on the market since 2014.
Once I thought of the FoKus Apollo and all that it provides, three issues instantly stood out: sound high quality throughout the spectrum, the included equipment, and growth mic high quality. The worth level additionally stands out, however whether or not the value is “good” can be subjective.
The Noble FoKus Apollo isn’t for the faint of coronary heart pockets, however should you’re an audiophile and trying to mate a superb pair of headphones to the units in our greatest DACs checklist, you’ll have to go searching a bit to discover a pair of Bluetooth over-ear headphones that sound higher.
What I like in regards to the Noble FoKus Apollo
Once I first started listening to the brand new Noble FoKus Apollo, which was simply launched on the finish of 2024 for $650, I picked up some auditory masking of the mids and highs. I assumed it was the 40mm dynamic driver shading the 14.5mm planar magnetic driver, however that wasn’t the difficulty.
Although the app is fairly naked bones, it does include a 10-band EQ to assist with any sonic points you’ll have with its sound curve. You do not really want a whole lot of options within the app as a result of the cans include bodily controls for a lot of the performance.
I don’t know if it was burn-in, my ears adjusting, or the customized sound function, however there isn’t the slightest trace of masking anymore, and these headphones are a few of the most balanced I’ve had the chance to have in my lab.
For testing, I related wired and wirelessly to a Google Pixel 9, Astell&Kern P1 DAP, iMac Professional, and an iPhone 16 Professional Max. For my wired connections, I used the iFi Go Hyperlink Max and Fiio/Jade Audio KA11 DAC dongles, although the FoKus Apollo does include a USB-C cable for wired audio playback, and also you’ll wish to use it. I’ll clarify.
I aired out the FoKus Apollo’s sonic skills with a wholesome mixture of bass, digital, and acoustic audio treats, which included tracks from Charles Mingus, The Roots, Composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Michael Abels with the London Up to date Orchestra, Jamiroquai, Skrillex, and Nina Simone.
The instrumentation, sound stage, and readability in Mingus’ rousing romp, “Moanin’” is classy. The combination of dynamic and planar drivers is obvious within the satisfying thump of the upright bassline, balanced by the masterfully performed tenor and alto saxophones.
The FoKus Apollo provides you that “in your head” audio expertise, and also you really feel each notice of that with “Violin Duel” from the “Chevalier” movement image unique soundtrack. This aggressive violin piece will present how a lot readability and texture your headphones reproduce. Utilizing the FoKus Apollo, the chord modifications, assault, and decay come alive. The way in which the stress between the bow and strings is produced makes it really feel such as you’re sitting subsequent to the violinist.
The entire music I immersed myself in through the assessment interval was a pleasure to take heed to via the Apollo. It’s effectively appointed with all you want within the field to soak up all of the sonic glory, regardless of your most popular supply methodology. You get a 3.5mm cable, USB-C for charging and audio pass-thru, and 4.4mm and ¼” adapters. Wi-fi connectivity occurs through a Qualcomm Bluetooth stack using Bluetooth LE, aptX/aptX HD, and LDAC help.
With all of that connectivity, the USB-C connection actually introduced out essentially the most element within the music I listened to. The balanced 4.4mm adapter additionally made an audible distinction concerning the way it prolonged the sound stage and bass.
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Noble Audio’s consideration to element is obvious within the FoKus Apollo’s design and “packaging.” At $650, you don’t really feel like they reduce corners or cheaped out on accouterments like some opponents.
As I acknowledged, the Apollo comes with every thing you want within the field, so there isn’t a want to trace down suitable third-party cables and equipment except you actually wish to.
The arduous case is thiccc (sure, three C’s thicc) and can take up a whole lot of house in a backpack, purse, or baggage, however it’s effectively appointed and provides glorious safety from its EVA shell. Inside are pockets on your cables and a velvet pouch on your adapters.
Let me take a quick second to say that the three.5mm cable is beefy! The metallic connectors and cable thickness are worthy of the premium value level.
The headphones themselves have gentle Alcantara on the headscarf’s contact floor and pleather-wrapped reminiscence foam replaceable earpads, all set on an anodized aluminum body, making the headphones comfy for prolonged listening periods.
The earpads are giant sufficient to suit comfortably round my ears with out feeling constricting, not like another high-end headphones I’ve reviewed.
The bodily buttons are responsive, and intuitive. Having a bodily mute botton on them can also be a pleasant contact.
What may use enchancment?
Although the cans swivel to suit inside their case and alter to your distinctive head form, they don’t fold, so their footprint is giant. Hybrid lively noise cancellation and inside mic audio are each okay.
Sony and Bose gained’t be getting a run for his or her cash because the headphones let in some highs when noise canceling is lively, however they work simply nice for dampening city noise and airplane engine hum.
I’ll say that inbuilt microphone audio high quality is underwhelming at this value level, particularly given how stellar the headphone’s music playback is.
The saving grace right here is that the included growth mic attachment sounds nice! So, should you’re utilizing these at residence, within the workplace, for taking work-related telephone calls, or for Zoom conferences, you’ll have nice microphone high quality with the growth that competes with a few of as we speak’s greatest noise-canceling headphones.
Out of the field, with out EQ, the sound high quality is strong. Even with that, I’d find it irresistible in the event that they added the flexibility to manage bandwidth to the Noble app’s 10-band EQ. Being an audiophile product, being able to regulate Q is all the time a welcomed addition.
I’d additionally like the flexibility to regulate ANC and transparency modes. Whereas the transparency mode is superb, I’d like full ANC and to see what that appears like on these headphones as a substitute of full-time hybrid ANC.
A sound audiophile choice
Noble Audio has one thing particular right here. Although these are aimed on the wi-fi market, the “FoKus” is clearly on sound high quality, and I’m good with that. The mix of a giant, 40mm dynamic driver with a 14.5mm planar magnetic produces a shiny sound with “in your head” readability whereas delivering deep bass and rousing mids. The general package deal is entertaining, participating, and cozy, with every thing you must take pleasure in your favourite sounds proper there within the field.
Whether or not you’re listening through Bluetooth, USB-C, or 3.5mm/4.4mm/ 1/4” cable, when you have the coin, the Noble FoKus Apollo are value it, with one caveat: should you’re okay utilizing the growth mic attachment on your most necessary telephone calls. And I’ll say it once more: should you’re dipping your toes into the audiophile pool, put money into an excellent pair of headphones earlier than you spend a bunch of cash in your audio supply and equipment, like a DAC or DAP.
Effectively appointed audiophile high quality!
Noble Audio needed to be sure that their first over-ears usually are not solely sonically very good however have all you must entry that sonic superiority. They’re effectively value it in case your pockets is as much as the duty!
