Noble Audio is understood for its wired and wi-fi earbuds. Its hybrid driver IEMs are nicely revered in audiophile circles though they’ve solely had merchandise available on the market since 2014.
After I thought-about the FoKus Apollo and all that it affords, three issues instantly stood out: sound high quality throughout the spectrum, the included equipment, and increase mic high quality. The value level additionally stands out, however whether or not the value is “good” will likely be subjective.
The Noble FoKus Apollo isn’t for the faint of coronary heart pockets, however when you’re an audiophile and seeking to mate a superb pair of headphones to the units in our greatest DACs listing, 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
After 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 believed 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 could have with its sound curve. You do not actually need lots 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 personalised 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 linked 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 talents 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 clear 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 observe 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 best way the strain between the bow and strings is produced makes it really feel such as you’re sitting subsequent to the violinist.
All the music I immersed myself in in the course of the overview interval was a pleasure to hearken to by way of the Apollo. It’s nicely appointed with all you want within the field to soak up all of the sonic glory, regardless of your most popular supply technique. 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 assist.
With all of that connectivity, the USB-C connection actually introduced out probably 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 clear 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 is no such thing as a want to trace down appropriate third-party cables and equipment except you actually wish to.
The laborious case is thiccc (sure, three C’s thicc) and can take up lots of house in a backpack, purse, or baggage, however it’s nicely appointed and affords wonderful safety from its EVA shell. Inside are pockets to your cables and a velvet pouch to your adapters.
Let me take a short 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 tender Alcantara on the scarf’s contact floor and pleather-wrapped reminiscence foam replaceable earpads, all set on an anodized aluminum body, making the headphones snug for prolonged listening classes.
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 be a pleasant contact.
What might use enchancment?
Although the cans swivel to suit inside their case and modify to your distinctive head form, they don’t fold, so their footprint is giant. Hybrid lively noise cancellation and inner mic audio are each okay.
Sony and Bose received’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 high quality 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 increase mic attachment sounds nice! So, when you’re utilizing these at dwelling, within the workplace, for taking work-related cellphone calls, or for Zoom conferences, you’ll have nice microphone high quality with the increase that competes with a few of as we speak’s finest noise-canceling headphones.
Out of the field, with out EQ, the sound high quality is stable. 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 at all times a welcomed addition.
I’d additionally like the flexibility to regulate ANC and transparency modes. Whereas the transparency mode is great, I’d like full ANC and to see what that seems 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 mixture of a giant, 40mm dynamic driver with a 14.5mm planar magnetic produces a vivid sound with “in your head” readability whereas delivering deep bass and rousing mids. The general package deal is entertaining, partaking, and comfy, 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, you probably have the coin, the Noble FoKus Apollo are price it, with one caveat: when you’re okay utilizing the increase mic attachment to your most essential cellphone calls. And I’ll say it once more: when you’re dipping your toes into the audiophile pool, spend money on an incredible pair of headphones earlier than you spend a bunch of cash in your audio supply and equipment, like a DAC or DAP.
Nicely appointed audiophile high quality!
Noble Audio wished to ensure that their first over-ears will not be solely sonically excellent however have all you must entry that sonic superiority. They’re nicely price it in case your pockets is as much as the duty!
