Editor-DN
Noble Audio is known for its wired and wireless earbuds. Its hybrid driver IEMs are well-respected in audiophile circles even though they’ve only had products on the market since 2014.
When I considered the FoKus Apollo and all it has to offer, three things immediately stood out: the sound quality across the spectrum, the included accessories, and the boom mic quality. The price point is also significant, but whether the price is “good” will be subjective.
Noble Focus Apollo is not for the faint of heart. The heart wallet, but if you’re an audiophile and want to pair a great pair of headphones with the devices on our best DACs list, you’ll have to look a little harder to find a pair of Bluetooth over-ear headphones. Which sounds better.
What I love about the Noble Focus Apollo.
When I first started listening to the new Noble FoKus Apollo, which was just released in late 2024. For $650I picked up some auditory masking of the mids and highs. I thought it was the 40mm dynamic driver shading the 14.5mm planar magnetic driver, but that wasn’t the problem.
Although the app is pretty bare-bones, it does come with a 10-band EQ to help you with any vocal issues related to its vocal curves. You don’t really need a lot of features in the app as the cans come with physical controls for most functionality.
I don’t know if it was the burn-in, the adjustment to my ears, or the personalized sound feature, but there’s not even the faintest hint of masking, and these headphones are some of the most balanced I’ve ever had a chance at. is in my lab.
For testing, I connected both wired and wirelessly to a Google Pixel 9, an Astell&Kern P1 DAP, an iMac Pro, and an iPhone 16 Pro Max. For my wired connections, I used the iFi Go Link Max and Fiio/Jade Audio KA11 DAC dongles, though the FoKus Apollo does Comes with a USB-C cable for wired audio playback, and you’ll want to use it. I will explain.
I channeled the FoKus Apollo’s vocal capabilities with a healthy mix of bass, electronic, and acoustic audio tracks, including Charles Mingus, The Roots, composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Michael Abels with the London Contemporary Orchestra, Jamiroquoi. , Skrillex, included tracks. and Nina Simone.
Mingus’ rousing romp, “Moanin,” features stunning instrumentation, vocal staging, and clarity. The mix of dynamic and planar drivers is evident in the satisfying thump of the upright bass line, balanced by expertly played tenor and alto saxophones.
FoKus Apollo gives you an audio experience “in your head,” and you felt Every note of it with “Violin Duel” from the original soundtrack of the “Chevalier” motion picture. This aggressive violin piece will show how much clarity and texture your headphones have. Using Focus Apollo, the melody changes, attacks and decays. The way the tension builds between the bow and the strings makes it feel like you’re sitting next to a violinist.
The music I immersed myself in during the review period was a joy to listen to through the Apollo. It’s well appointed with everything you need in the box to get all the Sonic glory, no matter your preferred delivery method. You get a 3.5mm cable, USB-C charging and audio pass-through, and 4.4mm and ¼” adapters. Wireless connectivity is via the Qualcomm Bluetooth stack using Bluetooth LE, aptX/aptX HD, and LDAC support.
With all that connectivity, the USB-C connection really brought out the most detail in the music I heard. The balanced 4.4mm adapter also made an audible difference in how it extended the soundstage and bass.
The picture 1 Of 5
Noble Audio’s attention to detail is evident in the design and “packaging” of the Focus Apollo. At $650, you don’t feel like they cut corners or skimp on accoutrements like some competitors.
As I said, the Apollo comes with everything you need in the box, so there’s no need to track down compatible third-party cables and accessories unless you really want to.
The hard case is thicc (yes, three C’s thicc) and will take up a lot of space in a bag, purse, or luggage, but it’s well fixed and offers excellent protection with its EVA shell. Inside are pockets for your cables and a velvet pouch for your adapter.
Let me take a moment to say that the 3.5mm cable is beefy! The metal connectors and cable thickness are worthy of the premium price point.
The headphones themselves feature replaceable ear pads wrapped in soft Alcantara and pleather-wrapped memory foam on the contact surface of the headband, all set on an anodized aluminum frame, perfect for long listening sessions. Makes comfortable.
The earpads are large enough to fit comfortably around my ears without feeling cramped, unlike some other high-end headphones I’ve reviewed.
The physical buttons are responsive and intuitive. Having a physical mute button on them is also a nice touch.
Could it use improvement?
Although the cans swivel to fit inside their case and conform to the unique shape of your head, they don’t fold, so they have a larger footprint. Hybrid active noise cancellation and internal mic audio are both fine.
Sony and Bose won’t get a run for their money as the headphones get a bit high-pitched when noise canceling is enabled, but they do the job just fine. to wet Urban noise and aircraft engine noise.
I will say that the built-in microphone audio quality is a bit underwhelming at this price, especially considering how excellent the headphones’ music playback is.
The saving grace here is that the included boom mic connects sounds very good So, whether you’re using them at home, in the office, for taking work-related phone calls, or for Zoom meetings, you’ll have the best microphone quality with the boom that today’s best noise-cancelling technology has to offer. Competes with headphones.
Out of the box, without EQ, the sound quality is solid. Also, I’d love it if they added the ability to control the bandwidth in the Noble app’s 10-band EQ. Being an audiophile product, having the ability to adjust the Q is always a welcome addition.
I also want the ability to adjust ANC and transparency modes. While transparency mode is great, I’d like full ANC and see what that sounds like on these headphones instead of full-time hybrid ANC.
A sound audiophile option
Noble Audio has something special here. Although these are aimed at the wireless market, the “FoKus” is clearly on sound quality, and I’m good with that. The combination of a large, 40mm dynamic driver with 14.5mm planar magnetics produces a bright sound with “in your head” clarity while delivering deep bass and rousing mids. The overall package is fun, engaging and comfortable, with everything you need to enjoy your favorite sounds in the box.
Whether you’re listening via Bluetooth, USB-C, or a 3.5mm/4.4mm/ 1/4” cable, if you’ve got the coin, the Noble FoKus Apollo is worth it, with one caveat: If you’re fine Boom mic attachment for your most important phone calls. And I’ll say it again: If you’re dipping your toes into the audiophile pool, invest in a great pair of headphones. First You spend a lot of money on your audio source and accessories, like a DAC or DAP.
Well defined audiophile quality!
Noble Audio wanted to make sure that their first over-ears are not only sonically great, but also give you access to the sonic excellence you need. If your wallet is up to the task, they are worth it!
