Noble Sound is recognized for its wired and cordless earbuds. Its hybrid vehicle driver IEMs are well respected in audiophile circles although they’ve only had items on the marketplace since 2014
When I considered the FoKus Apollo and all that it provides, three points instantly stuck out: audio high quality across the spectrum, the included accessories, and boom mic quality. The price point also stands out, however whether the rate is “good” will be subjective.
The Noble FoKus Apollo isn’t for the faint of heart purse, yet if you’re an audiophile and seeking to mate a superb pair of headphones to the gadgets in our ideal DACs list, you’ll need to take a look around a little bit to locate a set of Bluetooth over-ear headphones that appear much better.
What I such as about the Noble FoKus Apollo
When I initially began paying attention to the new Noble FoKus Apollo, which was simply launched at the end of 2024 for $ 650, I got some auditory masking of the mids and highs. I thought it was the 40 mm vibrant vehicle driver shading the 14 5 mm planar magnetic vehicle driver, but that had not been the problem.
Though the application is quite bare bones, it does include a 10 -band EQ to assist with any sonic concerns you may have with its sound contour. You do not really require a great deal of features in the app because the canisters come with physical controls for a lot of the functionality.
I do not understand if it was burn-in, my ears readjusting, or the personalized audio attribute, however there isn’t the slightest tip of covering up any longer, and these headphones are a few of one of the most well balanced I have actually had the opportunity to have in my laboratory.
For testing, I connected wired and wirelessly to a Google Pixel 9, Astell&& Kern P 1 DAP, iMac Pro, and an iPhone 16 Pro Max. For my wired connections, I utilized the iFi Go Web link Max and Fiio/Jade Sound KA 11 DAC dongles, though the FoKus Apollo does included a USB-C wire for wired audio playback, and you’ll intend to utilize it. I’ll describe.
I aired out the FoKus Apollo’s sonic abilities with a healthy and balanced mix of bass, digital, and acoustic sound treats, that included tracks from Charles Mingus, The Roots, Authors Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Michael Abels with the London Contemporary Band, Jamiroquai, Skrillex, and Nina Simone.
The instrumentation, audio phase, and clearness in Mingus’ stimulating prance, “Moanin'” is sublime. The mix of vibrant and planar drivers is apparent in the enjoyable smack of the upright bassline, stabilized by the masterfully played tenor and alto saxophones.
The FoKus Apollo gives you that “in your head” audio experience, and you feel every note of that with “Violin Duel” from the “Chevalier” motion picture initial soundtrack. This aggressive violin piece will demonstrate how much clarity and appearance your earphones recreate. Using the FoKus Apollo, the chord adjustments, assault, and degeneration come alive. The means the tension between the bow and strings is produced makes it feel like you’re sitting alongside the violinist.
Every one of the music I engaged myself in throughout the review duration was a delight to pay attention to via the Apollo. It’s well selected with all you require in package to absorb all the sonic magnificence, despite your favored delivery technique. You obtain a 3 5 mm cable television, USB-C for billing and audio pass-thru, and 4 4 mm and 1/4″ adapters. Wireless connectivity occurs by means of a Qualcomm Bluetooth stack utilizing Bluetooth LE, aptX/aptX HD, and LDAC support.
With every one of that connection, the USB-C link actually drew out the most information in the music I listened to. The well balanced 4 4 mm adapter also made an audible distinction relating to how it prolonged the sound phase and bass.
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Noble Sound’s focus to detail appears in the FoKus Apollo’s design and “packaging.” At $ 650, you don’t seem like they cut edges or cheaped out on accouterments like some competitors.
As I stated, the Beauty comes with everything you need in package, so there is no requirement to locate suitable third-party wires and devices unless you actually want to.
The difficult situation is thiccc (yes, 3 C’s thicc) and will occupy a lot of room in a knapsack, handbag, or baggage, yet it is well designated and uses excellent protection from its EVA covering. Inside are pockets for your cords and a velvet pouch for your adapters.
Allow me take a short minute to claim that the 3 5 mm cord is husky! The steel connectors and cable television thickness deserve the costs rate factor.
The headphones themselves have soft Alcantara on the headband’s call surface and pleather-wrapped memory foam exchangeable earpads, good to go on a plated light weight aluminum frame, making the earphones comfy for extended listening sessions.
The earpads are big enough to fit conveniently around my ears without feeling tightening, unlike a few other high-end earphones I have actually examined.
The physical switches are responsive, and instinctive. Having a physical mute botton on them is also a wonderful touch.
What could make use of enhancement?
Though the containers pivot to fit inside their case and adjust to your unique head shape, they don’t fold, so their impact is large. Crossbreed active noise cancellation and internal mic sound are both ok.
Sony and Bose will not be obtaining a run for their cash as the headphones allow some highs when noise canceling is active, but they work simply great for wetting urban sound and airplane engine hum.
I will certainly say that integrated microphone audio top quality is underwhelming at this cost factor, specifically given exactly how stellar the earphone’s songs playback is.
The conserving elegance right here is that the consisted of boom mic accessory sounds terrific! So, if you’re utilizing these in the house, in the office, for taking job-related phone calls, or for Zoom conferences, you’ll have wonderful microphone quality with the boom that takes on several of today’s finest noise-canceling headphones.
Out of the box, without EQ, the sound top quality is solid. Despite that, I ‘d enjoy it if they included the capacity to regulate bandwidth to the Noble app’s 10 -band EQ. Being an audiophile product, having the capability to readjust Q is always an invited enhancement.
I would certainly likewise like the capacity to readjust ANC and openness modes. While the openness setting is exceptional, I ‘d such as full ANC and to see what that seems like on these headphones rather than full time crossbreed ANC.
An audio audiophile option
Noble Sound has something special below. Though these are aimed at the cordless market, the “FoKus” is clearly on audio high quality, and I’m excellent with that. The combination of a big, 40 mm dynamic motorist with a 14 5 mm planar magnetic generates a brilliant audio with “in your head” quality while supplying deep bass and stimulating mids. The total package is amusing, appealing, and comfortable, with whatever you require to appreciate your favorite sounds ideal there in package.
Whether you’re paying attention through Bluetooth, USB-C, or 3 5 mm/ 4 4 mm/ 1/ 4 cable television, if you have the coin, the Noble FoKus Apollo are worth it, with one caveat: if you’re alright utilizing the boom mic attachment for your crucial telephone call. And I’ll state it once again: if you’re dipping your toes into the audiophile pool, buy a wonderful pair of headphones before you spend a number of money on your sound source and devices, like a DAC or DAP.
Well selected audiophile high quality!
Noble Audio wished to ensure that their first over-ears are not just sonically superb yet have all you need to accessibility that sonic supremacy. They’re well worth it if your pocketbook is up to the task!
