Noble FoKus Apollo review: Great sound and connectivity
Noble Audio is understood for its wired and wi-fi headphones. Its hybrid driver IEMs are well-respected in audiophile circles though they’ve solely had merchandise available on the market since 2014.
Once I thought-about the FoKus Apollo and all the pieces it has to supply, three issues instantly stood out: the sound high quality throughout the spectrum, the included equipment, and the standard of the increase mic. The value level additionally stands out, however whether or not the value is “good” will likely be subjective.
Noble FoKus Apollo shouldn’t be for the faint of coronary heart the center pockets, however in case you’re an audiophile trying to pair an excellent pair of headphones with the gear on our greatest DAC record, you will have to go searching a bit to discover a better-sounding pair of Bluetooth over-ear headphones.
What I like in regards to the Noble FoKus Apollo
Once I first began listening to the Noble FoKus Apollo, which was simply launched in late 2024 for $650, I bought some auditory masking of the mids and highs. I assumed it was the 40mm dynamic driver protecting the 14.5mm planar magnetic driver, however that wasn’t the issue.
Though the app is fairly bare-bones, it comes with a 10-band EQ to assist with any sonic points you may need with its pitch curve. You do not actually need many options within the app as a result of cans include bodily controls for a lot of the performance.
I do not know if it was the burn-in, my ears adjusting, or the customized sound perform, however there is no trace of masking anymore, and these headphones are a few of the most balanced I’ve had the chance to put on. I’ve in my lab.
For testing, I related each 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 BEN include a USB-C cable for wired audio playback, and you will wish to use it. I’ll clarify.
I channeled the sonic capabilities of the FoKus Apollo with a wholesome mixture of bass, digital and acoustic audio, which included songs by Charles Mingus, The Roots, Composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Michael Abels with the London Modern Orchestra, Jamiroquai, Skrillex, and Nina Simon.
The instrumentation, soundstage and readability in Mingus’ soulful taking part in of “Moanin'” is classy. The combo of dynamic and flat leads is obvious within the satisfying thump of the upright bass line, balanced by expertly performed tenor and alto saxophone.
FoKus Apollo provides you that “in your head” audio expertise and also you smelt each word of that with “Violin Duel” from the unique Chevalier soundtrack. This aggressive violin half will present how a lot readability and high quality your headphones reproduce. Utilizing FoKus Apollo, the chord modifications, assaults and breaks down. The best way the stress is produced between the bow and the strings makes it really feel like you might be sitting subsequent to the violinist.
All of the music I immersed myself in through the evaluate interval was a pleasure to take heed to via the Apollo. It is well-stocked with all the pieces you want within the field to get all of the sonic glory, no matter your most popular supply technique. You get a 3.5mm cable, USB-C for charging and audio pass-through, and 4.4mm and ¼” adapters. Wi-fi connectivity happens by way of a Qualcomm Bluetooth stack utilizing Bluetooth LE, aptX/aptX HD and LDAC assist.
With all that connectivity, the USB-C connection actually introduced out the best element within the music I heard. The balanced 4.4mm adapter additionally made an audible distinction in the way it expanded the soundstage 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 do not really feel like they’re chopping corners or lacking out on {hardware} like some opponents.
Like I stated, the Apollo comes with all the pieces you want within the field, so there is no want to trace down appropriate third-party cables and equipment until you actually wish to.
The exhausting case is thick (sure, three C thick) and can take up loads of house in a backpack, briefcase or baggage, nevertheless it’s properly positioned and presents wonderful safety from its EVA shell. Inside there are pockets on your cables and a velvet pouch on your adapters.
Let me take a fast second to say that the three.5mm cable is sharp! The steel connectors and cable thickness are worthy of the premium worth.
The headphones themselves characteristic tender Alcantara on the headscarf contact floor and replaceable cushion-wrapped reminiscence foam earcups, all housed in an anodized aluminum body, making the headphones comfy for prolonged listening periods.
The headphones are massive sufficient to suit comfortably round my ears with out feeling constrictive, in contrast to another high-end headphones I’ve reviewed.
The bodily buttons are responsive and intuitive. Having a muted bodily end on them can be a pleasant contact.
What might use the improve?
Though the cans rotate to suit inside their case and conform to your distinctive head form, they do not fold, so their footprint is massive. Hybrid lively noise cancellation and inner microphone audio are each advantageous.
Sony and Bose will not be capable of give them a run for his or her cash because the headphones permit some excessive ranges when noise cancellation is lively, however they work properly for Humidity city noise and airplane engine noise.
I’ll say that the audio high quality of the built-in microphone is low at this worth level, particularly contemplating how nice the headphones’ music replica is.
The saving grace right here is that the microphone attachment included within the increase sounds good nice! So whether or not you are utilizing these at dwelling, within the workplace, to take work-related calls or for Zoom conferences, you will have wonderful increase mic high quality that rivals a few of the greatest noise-canceling headphones on the market. at this time.
Out of the field, with no EQ, the sound high quality is constant. Even with that, I would like it 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 welcome addition.
I might additionally like the flexibility to regulate ANC and transparency modes. Whereas transparency mode is nice, I would like full ANC and see the way it sounds on these headphones as a substitute of full-time hybrid ANC.
An audiophile choice with sound
Noble Audio has one thing particular right here. Though these are aimed on the wi-fi market, the main focus is clearly on sound high quality, and I am advantageous with that. The mixture of a big 40mm dynamic driver with a 14.5mm planar magnetic produces shiny sound with “in your head” readability, whereas delivering deep bass and awakening mids. The general package deal is enjoyable, engaging and cozy, with all the pieces you want to get pleasure from your favourite sounds proper within the field.
Whether or not you are listening by way of Bluetooth, USB-C, or a 3.5mm/4.4mm/1/4″ cable, in case you’ve bought the coin, the Noble FoKus Apollo is value it, with one caveat: in case you’re advantageous utilizing the increase mic attachment on your calls on essential. And I will say it once more: in case you’re dipping your toes within the audiophile pool, put money into an excellent pair of headphones forward you spend some huge cash in your audio supply and equipment, like DAC or DAP.
Particular audiophile high quality!
Noble Audio wished to ensure their first in-ears will not be solely sonically nice, however have all the pieces you want to entry that sonic superiority. They’re value it in case your pockets is as much as the duty!
