Noble Audio has made a name for itself with top-of-the-line multi-driver in-channel monitors, both custom and universal. However, this is a rather narrow niche, and a few years ago the company quite successfully started producing wireless TWS headphones, of which it already has quite a few in its arsenal. We have already reviewed one of the latest Noble Audio FoKus Triumph models on our website. Finally, the company decided to take a risk and released its first-ever full-size wireless model Noble Audio FoKus Apollo, which marks a higher category of similar headphones. The model has a lot of interesting features, including a hybrid emitter circuit. Today we are going to tell you how successful Noble Audio's first attempt in the new category turned out to be.
Noble Audio FoKus Apollo specifications
| Headphone type | Full-size |
| Type of emitters | 40 mm dynamic + 14.5 mm planar magnetic |
| Range of playback frequencies | 10 Hz - 40 kHz |
| Connection type | Wireless, wired (3.5, 4.4, 6.3 mm Jack, USB Type-C) |
| Compatibility | Android, iOS, PC |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 |
| Range of action | 10+ meters |
| Support for codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC |
| Management | Buttons |
| Volume control | + |
| Microphones | support for noise canceling and transparency mode, 3 microphones per earpiece + detachable microphone on a flexible boom |
| Headphone weight | 327 grams |
| Protection against moisture | - |
| Battery life | Up to 60 hours with ANC, up to 80 hours without ANC |
| Charging | USB Type-C |
| Recommended price in Ukraine | UAH 31,999 |
Package contents
Noble Audio FoKus Apollo comes in a large soft-wrapped box with a picture of the headphones and all the main features. Inside is a gray hardboard box that opens on both sides.
Inside is a large hard case with headphones and all the accessories. The case is large, has a nice dark gray fabric on the outside, a large Noble logo, and a handle for transportation.
There was quite a lot in the package. In addition to Noble Audio FoKus Apollo, there is a 3.5 mm cable for wired connection (with good connectors, but the cable itself would be of better quality) and a Type-C cable and a manual.
A separate small pouch contains 4.4 mm, 6.3 mm, and airplane adapters, as well as a detachable windproof microphone on a flexible boom.
Дизайн та зручність використання
Noble Audio FoKus Apollo are rather large full-size headphones with quite a classic construction, but an interesting and stylish design with the use of different materials. Plastic is practically not used in the construction. Weighing 327 g, this is not the lightest model in its category. But, as the experience of use has shown, they do not weigh you down during prolonged use.
The headphones have large cups, their outer part is made of dark gray anodized aluminum with a pleasant matte finish. There are rather large Noble logos on the cups. Two more small white logos are facing forward. The wider part of the cups has a coating that resembles black nylon (perhaps it is). The first association is the Motorola Droid Turbo and a few other old models with nylon back covers.
The mechanisms for attaching the cups to the headband are quite standard and are also made of metal, which makes the headphones look reliable and sturdy. The cups can be turned toward you when the headphones are around your neck. Noble Audio FoKus Apollo are stored in the case in the same position.
The headband has the standard sliding mechanisms with clear position cutoffs used in most full-size models. The upper part of the headband also has the same black nylon on the outside. On the inside, there is a soft filler upholstered in alcantara.
The ear cushions are large in size. Inside is soft memory foam. Outside - high-quality artificial leather. The dimensions are optimal, and the auricles fit completely inside. In winter, my ears do not sweat even after several hours of listening. But in summer, it can still be a bit hot.
Functional elements are located on both headphones. The vast majority of buttons are located on the right one. It also has a 3.5 mm jack for a wired connection and an LED indicator for operation, charging, and connection mode. The left earbud has a two-position microphone switch, a Type-C for charging, and a detachable microphone jack.
Noble Audio FoKus Apollo look great and are very well made. As for comfort, the headband may seem a bit tight for people with large heads. But on a small head, the headphones look quite massive.
Management
The Noble Audio FoKus Apollo is controlled by physical buttons on the ear cups. In fact, everything you need is located on the right earbud. There's a separate button for switching noise canceling modes (off, active, transparency mode) and three more buttons for the rest of the functions.
The middle button has an embossed protrusion for easy touch operation. It is responsible for playback, pause, answering a call, power, and switching to the connection mode. You can also double-click to launch the voice assistant, which supports Siri, Google, and Bixby. Nearby are buttons for volume control and track switching (long press). The left earpiece has only a two-position switch that mutes the microphones.
The Noble Audio FoKus app duplicates all the main controls, including ANC, playback, and volume. Although I'm not sure that anyone will use it often. You can't reconfigure the control scheme. But it is not necessary, the standard scheme is quite convenient, simple and clear. The buttons are easy and clear to touch.
Connectivity and functionality
Of course, Noble Audio FoKus Apollo are designed to be connected primarily via Bluetooth. The headphones are equipped with a Qualcomm QCC3084 Bluetooth 5.3 chip, which is (theoretically) very energy efficient. But the company decided to provide the user with a much wider range of connection options. The headphones can operate in passive mode using a standard 3.5 mm cable. And thanks to the included adapters, you can connect to a 6.3 jack, a balanced 4.4 mm Pentaconn, and even to airplane jacks. Type-C operation is also supported.
But back to the Bluetooth connection. Noble Audio FoKus Apollo supports SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, and LDAC codecs. There were no problems with connection or signal stability. No interruptions even through 2 walls. The headphones support Multipoint, and the function works well when connected to a smartphone and laptop. But it is worth remembering that when using Multipoint, the LDAC codec will not be available.
All wireless headphones of the FoKus series use the corresponding common application with the quite logical name Noble FoKus. We've already familiarized ourselves with it in our previous review of Noble Audio FoKus Triumph. It's easy to use, but it doesn't have a lot of features. The main screen displays the image of Noble Audio FoKus Apollo, the charge level, controls for playback and active noise reduction modes. The rest of the settings are in the drop-down menu.
A really interesting and useful feature of all FoKus models is the ability to create a personalized equalizer based on the user's hearing characteristics. It works like this: the headphones generate 1, 2, or 3 short signals in different frequency ranges. The user has to indicate how many signals he or she heard, or did not hear at all. After passing through the entire range, the program generates an individual equalizer with boosts in the parts of the range that are heard the worst. In addition, of course, there are ready-made settings for different styles of music and a regular graphic equalizer.
The rest of the settings are quite familiar. The next section includes language selection, volume settings, ANC Display (displaying noise reduction settings on the main screen). The last section is the firmware update.
Functionally, Noble Audio FoKus Apollo has all the necessary functions. But models of a similar price range usually offer more additional features. And if, for example, the function of automatically changing the operating mode depending on the geolocation (as in Sony and several other manufacturers) is not something that is absolutely necessary. Then an auto-pause when the headphones are removed would be quite appropriate.
Sound, noise reduction and microphones
Despite the fact that Noble Audio FoKus Apollo is the first full-size model in the company's history, Noble decided to take a risk and use a hybrid circuit in the headphones, which includes one 40 mm dynamic and one 14.5 mm planar magnetic radiator. These are the world's first full-size headphones with such a configuration. The dynamic driver is best suited for low frequencies and the lower midrange, while the planar magnetic driver is responsible for the highs and lows.
The low frequencies turned out to be very deep, massive, and the headphones are capable of producing as much bass as the user wants. But, of course, the listening was carried out without using the equalizer. The woofers have a very good attack, elasticity and good texture reproduction. It's not to say that they are perfectly fast or controlled, maybe some people will lack a little accuracy. But they are very pleasant, they are in their place, they add drive and weight to the sound. They don't get in the middle and, importantly, provide exactly what you need depending on the music.
When listening to conventional D&B, we have a very deep, thick, filling bass with texture and vibrations. At the same time, in heavy music, the bass lines are clearly readable and do not turn into mush. You can hear the peculiarities of the instrument, the effects used and the characteristic aggressive strings' rattle remains, which is important in various variations on the theme of metal and related genres.
The middle frequencies are not ruined and are presented in good quantity and quality. They are quite detailed and convey the character, features of instruments and vocals well. The reproduction accuracy is at a very good level, especially well heard on instrumental music in general and high-quality live recordings. The high frequencies are sufficient to add clarity, space and a certain "festive" and "energetic" effect to the sound. They have good detail, clearly reproducing the parts of instruments and even minimal nuances. At the same time, they are smoothed out just a little bit so that the overall sound does not become too bright and does not cut the ear. I was very pleasantly surprised by the imaginary stage of the headphones: it is much wider and deeper than one would expect from a closed model. The positioning and separation of the instruments is excellent.
It is worth saying that Noble Audio FoKus Apollo has a bit of a flavorful sound due to the hybrid circuit with a planar magnetic emitter. But it's lively, very musical, driving, and versatile. The headphones perfectly reproduce any style of music and are not too picky about the quality of the recording itself.
Noble Audio FoKus Apollo uses an ADI chip and three microphones on each earbud for active noise cancellation. it is claimed that the level of external noise is reduced by -35 dB. The ANC system does not put any pressure on the ears at all, and it works well: any monotonous low-frequency noise is removed almost completely. Good passive noise isolation also contributes to this. In general, the vast majority of noise is practically inaudible, with the exception of high-frequency sporadic noise. The quality of ANC is not at the level of Sony's top-of-the-line, but it works really well.
The transparency mode in Noble Audio FoKus Apollo is not perfectly implemented, but it is quite good. The sound is slightly distorted, but all the surrounding sounds are heard well. There is no adjustment of the transparency mode intensity.
The company decided to think not only about listening to music in Noble Audio FoKus Apollo, but also about using the headphones for video conferencing or gaming and added a detachable microphone on a flexible boom with wind protection. In fact, even the built-in microphones transmit voice very well. During use, the headphones were used quite often for calls, and there were no problems. An example of recording with the built-in microphones:
But the detachable microphone does provide higher quality and a wider frequency range:
Battery life
It is claimed that Noble Audio FoKus Apollo can operate on a single charge for up to 80 hours without ANC and up to 60 with noise cancellation at 50% volume. Quite impressive figures. And they seem to be true. The headphones came to me new, not fully charged (about 90%).
They were used for at least 3-4 hours daily with ANC at 80-90% volume. For 3 weeks of this mode, I was not able to "plant" them. The battery life really turned out to be very long. It takes about 2.5 hours to fully charge Noble Audio FoKus Apollo.