Noble FoKus Apollo headphone evaluation: An audiophile’s dream

Noble Audio is maybe greatest recognized for his or her in-ear screens, particularly their customized ones. However this yr, Noble launched a brand new pair of over-ear wi-fi noise-cancelling headphones, the Noble Fokus Apollo, which boast being the primary wireless headphones with hybrid 40mm dynamic and 14.5mm planar magnetic drivers. This was fairly massive information for audiophiles, and naturally I needed to check these out to see how they sound.

I used to be fortunate sufficient to get a pair, which as of writing are actually bought out, and I acquired to see how this hybrid driver setup sounds in apply. To make sure, these headphones are probably the most distinctive I’ve ever tried in my profession up to now, so I used to be excited stepping into, and they didn’t disappoint.

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Noble FoKus Apollo

The Noble Fokus Apollo have unbelievable sound high quality on account of hybrid dynamic and planar magnetic drivers, and great noise cancelling. The headphones are a bit cumbersome in consequence, however the snug ear pads and headband treatment this.

Execs

• Unbelievable sound high quality
• Nice ANC
• Wi-fi and wired choices
• LDAC and aptX HD help

Cons

• Cumbersome and heavy
• Microphone could possibly be higher

Value, specs, and availability

A very distinctive pair of headphones for audiophiles

The Noble Fokus Apollo is a pair of hybrid driver noise cancelling headphones. It has a 40mm dynamic driver paired with a 14.5mm planar magnetic driver, the primary of its type with these particular driver specs. The headphones can be utilized wi-fi utilizing Bluetooth, in addition to wired utilizing a 3.5mm cable or a USB-C cable, each of which include the headphones. The headphones use Bluetooth 5.3, and help the SBC, AAC, LDAC, aptX, and aptX HD codecs. The headphones additionally help multipoint connection.

Different equipment that include the Noble Fokus Apollo are a detachable increase mic, a 1/4 inch adapter, an L-shaped 3.5mm to 4.4mm adapter, and a two-pronged airline adapter.

Design-wise, the headphones have an anodized aluminum housing, with reminiscence foam ear pads encased in leather-based, and a reminiscence foam headband encased in Alcantara material. The headphones have onboard quantity buttons, an influence/Bluetooth button, a noise management button, and a mute swap for the microphone.

The Fokus Apollo has a battery lifetime of 80 hours with out noise-cancelling turned off, and 60 hours of play time with noise-cancelling on.

It has an accompanying app, the Noble Fokus app, which is out there on iOS and Android.

The Noble Fokus Apollo is $649, and is out there from Noble, Bloom Audio, and different audiophile gear retailers.

What I favored in regards to the Noble Fokus Apollo

Incredible sound paired with great design

The obvious factor to cowl in regards to the Noble Fokus Apollo is how they sound. Certain sufficient, these headphones sound downright unbelievable. The default sound profile leans pretty bassy, which is to be anticipated because the majority of individuals are likely to lean towards extra bassy sound profiles. The sub-bass frequencies really feel pretty, with out being too intense or overwhelming the marginally greater bass frequencies. These bass frequencies are punchy with out being overbearing.

The highs and mids each sound great too, with the treble frequencies being vibrant and nice, and under no circumstances tinny or harsh on the upper finish. Mids aren’t ignored by any means, and do not get misplaced amid the highs and lows.

The Noble Fokus app permits you to alter the sound profile with a 10-band equalizer, which is at all times a terrific choice to have should you do not essentially just like the default sound profile, or wish to customise it for various genres. It has a number of presets, like default, basic, pop, jazz, and rap, and you’ll customise the EQ to your liking too and save your individual customized presets. The app additionally has a listening to check that performs tones all through the frequency spectrum to see the place you would possibly want a little bit of a lift, and it can save you that as a personalised customized preset.

The Fokus Apollo’s noise-cancelling is spectacular, with the noise-cancelling being powered by six microphones inside the headphones. When I’ve the headphones on with noise-canceling turned on with no music on, I am unable to hear any droning noises from issues like visitors, my dryer, or my very loud fridge. I’d examine the noise cancelling to that of my Sony WH-1000XM4, which is extremely good. Taking these on a commute on a prepare or bus would certainly be a clean expertise should you’re trying to block out exterior noise on the best way to and from work or college.

In regard to the construct, the headscarf and ear pads are actually snug. Each are cushioned with reminiscence foam, which makes for a extremely snug listening expertise, particularly over longer durations of time. That is particularly necessary given how heavy the headphones are, so I actually admire the trouble put into consolation.

I at all times admire a number of methods of connecting headphones, and on this case, I actually admire that I can hear wirelessly utilizing Bluetooth or wired with the three.5mm cable or the USB-C cable. I additionally admire all of the Bluetooth codecs supported by the Fokus Apollo, particularly since LDAC and aptX HD permit for greater high quality audio than AAC and SBC.

What I did not like in regards to the Noble Fokus Apollo

Whereas I can establish a number of qualms, there aren’t any dealbreakers

By advantage of the type of headphones these are, the Fokus Apollo is kind of heavy and quite cumbersome. Planar magnetic drivers require more room and components than common dynamic drivers, so the truth that these headphones have each sorts of drivers means they’re naturally going to be heavy and ponderous, particularly in comparison with headphones with smaller dynamic drivers and plastic housing. The load is fortunately supported by a cushty headband and ear pads, so it isn’t an enormous disadvantage, however it’s value noting.

On an identical be aware, the Fokus Apollo additionally is not water-resistant, which is to be anticipated from a pair of headphones like this. Most noise-cancelling headphones aren’t water resistant, nor are most audiophile headphones or planar magnetic headphones. Which means that you are able to do some severe injury to the Fokus Apollo should you get caught within the rain carrying them or spill a drink on them, so it is best to take additional precautions contemplating how a lot they price.

The built-in microphone in addition to the removable increase mic weren’t the very best mics I’ve heard from a pair of headphones, which was a bit disappointing for a pair of headphones this costly. That is to not say the microphone is not usable, it is completely acceptable, and I can hear my voice clearly in recordings. However I discovered the mics picked up greater frequencies a bit an excessive amount of, making sibilant seems like “S” and “T” very hissy. Once more, the built-in mic and removable increase mic are utterly effective for calls and will not trigger any points, however I do want the mics sounded higher given the value of the headphones.

Must you purchase the Noble Fokus Apollo?

When you’re an audiophile with a spare $650 to fork over, the Noble Fokus Apollo is a really effective selection. The hybrid drivers permit for unbelievable sound high quality, the noise-cancelling is excellent, the headphones are snug and well-built, and the truth that they can be utilized wired or wi-fi makes them extraordinarily versatile.

These headphones are usually not for people who find themselves not already devoted audiophiles, since likelihood is, you will not essentially be capable to hear a lot of a distinction with out extra of a skilled ear. If you wish to make a foray into the audiophile universe, there are different, cheaper headphones which might be a greater stepping stone. And if noise-cancelling headphones are what you need, there are quite a lot of them underneath $300 that can serve you nicely and sound unbelievable nonetheless.

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Noble FoKus Apollo