The Noble FoKus Apollo ($649/£589/€699) is a premium true wireless (TWS) headphone with noise cancellation, marking Noble’s debut in the headphone market. Founded in 2013, Noble is best known for its high-end, usually quite expensive in-ear monitors (IEMs). The company initially specialized in wired IEMs before expanding into true wireless (TWS) IEMs, and now, with the Apollo, into TWS headphones.
MAIN TAKEAWAY
- Outstanding build quality
- Excellent sound
- Warm tuning with full sounding bass
- Great battery life
- Passive noise isolation is impressive
NOBLE FOKUS APOLLO SPECIFICATIONS
- Drivers: 1 x 40mm dynamic driver + 14.5mm planar magnetic driver
- Wireless and wired analog operation: 3.5mm AUX cable included
- Supports LDAC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, SBC
- BlueTooth 5.3
- QCC3084 chip
- Active Noise Cancelling: Integrated ADI chip combined with 3 microphones per side providing hybrid ANC with a reduction depth of up to -35db
- Superior transparency mode
- Removable boom mic
- Onboard mute switch for all microphones, including the boom mic
- 80 hours of play time without ANC / 60 hours of play time with ANC
- Pads: soft memory foam with protein leather – replaceable
- Compatible with Noble’s FoKus app.
IN THE BOX
- Carrying case
- 3.5mm auxiliary cable
- USB-C cable
- Two-prong airline adapter
- 6.3mm adapter for headphone amps
- Detachable boom mic
The review unit was sent us by Noble’s marketing associate for the purpose of this review.
AUDIO TECHNOLOGY
Noble has chosen a hybrid driver configuration, combining a small 14.5 mm planar magnetic driver with a larger 40 mm dynamic driver. Planar drivers are lighter, thinner, and produce less distortion, but they struggle to move air as efficiently as dynamic drivers—an essential factor for achieving full-bodied bass. The goal is to get the clarity from the planar magnetic driver in the midrange and highs, while the dynamic driver takes care of the lower end.
That said, neither driver type is inherently incapable of delivering neither detail nor bass. Several higher end dynamic headphones offer finer detail than the Apollo, while certain planar magnetic driver models provide superior bass. However, such headphones are often more expensive and full size planar magnetic headphones typically require a lot of power. Noble has carefully balanced performance, cost, and efficiency. In a wireless headphone, efficiency is extremely important because you have to make the headphone work with the tiny built in amplifier and battery.
The Apollo also features hybrid active noise cancellation (ANC). By utilizing microphones both inside and outside the headphones, it gets more information to generate the noise cancelling output and reduce ambient noise. It combines feedforward and feedback ANC, which enables quicker noise detection and more precise cancellation.
BUILD AND COMFORT
In general, the Apollo feels really premium and durable.It’s comfortable. and relatively compact. Passive noise isolation is outstanding,
The yokes and frame that holds them are made of anodized aluminum, and the cups have 180 degrees of swivel action, which means it will adapt nicely to your head as well as being able to be laid flat.
The headband uses Alcantara, a suede leather-like synthetic fabric that’s known for its comfortable feel, durability and ease of cleaning.
The pads are made of soft memory foam covered in high quality protein leather. They are replaceable, but use a proprietary system. You need an oversized guitar pick-like tool to yank them off. They sit quite firmly, I have solid nails on my guitar-picking hand, but couldn’t get them loose without a tool. Here’s a video, though:
How to change pads:
FUNCTIONALITY
PAIRING
In the manual it says that you should make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your phone, location activated, and then you push the hold the power button on the Apollo until a sound plays and a small blue light flashes in the headphones.
I did have trouble because when connecting it said that Apollo rejected the connection. I checked out the manual, and the solution was resetting the headphones by holding down “+” and “-” buttons at the same time until a red and blue light started flashing. Then the connection went smooth. When I had paired my phone once, it worked flawlessly thereafter. It stays connected but after a while it shuts down and you have to power up the headphones by holding the main button to activate them, but of course without going through the pairing procedure.
BUTTONS
- Right Cup: Power, volume up and down, ANC
- Left Cup: Mute Mic
CONNECTIONS
- Right Cup: 3.5 mm analog input
- Left Cup: USB C, Mic boom Input
Short press of the power button when using the Bluetooth mode swiftly pauses and starts music. Long press it shuts off the headphones or turns them on.
To use the headphones with wired setup, you simply connect the 3.5 mm cable. If the headphones are turned on, the signal seems to utilize the internal electronics and you can adjust the volume on the headphones and ANC works. If the headphones are turned off they function just as any other wired headphone. That you can use it without power means that if or when the battery eventually dies, which is a vixen with all wireless headphones, you can continue using these for decades as normal wired headphones – at least if the build quality is as durable as it seems.
While the sound remains quite similar between wireless operation and wired use with the headphones turned off, there’s a noticeable change when using a wired connection with the headphones powered on. In fact, I find that this mode offers the best sound quality—the tuning shifts, becoming crisper and more midrange-focused, with tighter bass. There’s clearly some alternative DSP processing at play. Unfortunately, this is probably the least common way people will use these headphones, but it’s an interesting discovery nonetheless.
LISTENING IMPRESSIONS
Associated wired equipment:
- Amplifier: Topping A90
- DAC: RME ADI-2 DAC FS
I went through the playlist with both wired and wireless operation. Although I do find that the wired setup sound slightly better, my commons to basically be the same with both.
Summer 3 Vivaldi Recomposed by Max Richter
I think this sounds great on the Apollo. The string timbre is excellent, with warmth and texture. The soundstage is not bad for a closed-back headphone of this type. The imaging is very good and the whole presentation is well balanced.
New Life Baby Paris by Mala
The intro of this electronic track feels very spacious, creating an good sense of depth. The bass is rich and extends deep, maintaining a strong presence without ever becoming overpowering.
Rocket Man by Bob James Trio
The imaging is excellent, and the overall presentation feels well-balanced—slightly dark, warm, and intimate. The bass has a rounded character, but in a pleasing way, not overpowering the mix.
Aquela Muhler by Vinicius Cantuaria
The bass is thick and not the most textured but still well balanced and not dominating the mix. The treble is delicate and rich in detail.
Jambi by Tool
This sounds excellent, guitars are textured and full-bodied, the bass is also well textured and punchy, the vocals are slightly dark yet well balanced. Sibilance is not an issue, although it’s close where it should be. It is genuinely a great performance.
Bored by Deftones
As with the previous metal track, this sounds great. There is no doubt that Apollo plays especially well with metal.
Black Crow by Cassandra Wilson
The soundstage feels quite spacious, with excellent imaging that enhances instrument separation. The midrange and treble deliver impressive detail, while the bass, though generally well-controlled, exhibits some resonance issues—something that almost all closed-back headphones struggle with to some extent at certain frequencies.
It Could be Sweet by Portishead
The bass is full-bodied and thick, the vocals clear and smooth, the treble is delicate.
Escape Route by Boris Blank
Here, the bass is nicely balanced. Imaging is good and the detail level is quite high. It’s an excellent listen.
As Before by Olga Konkova
The cajôn drum gives a good thump, but there’s no bothersome bass resonances. Vocals are present and delicate, the piano articulate without being overly crisp. A very well balanced presentation.
Maple Noise by Greene Serene
This is a dynamic sounding improv jazz piece. It sounds both snappy and smooth at the same time with the Apollo. The sound stage is not the largest I have heard but it’s good for a closed back headphone.
Mahler’s Symphony No 2 III by Paavo Järvi
In wireless mode, the volume doesn’t quite reach the levels I’d prefer. When used in wired mode with the power off, the bass feels a bit thick, and the overall presentation is more laid-back. It still sounds good, don’t get me wrong, but it lacks that energetic bite that makes the music feel truly engaging.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
Without EQ, the sound signature is pleasantly warm, with a somewhat thick bass that adds weight without overwhelming the mix. The overall presentation is smooth yet still detailed, striking a nice balance between richness and clarity.
Treble
The treble is clean and slightly laid-back, offering a smooth, non-harsh experience while still maintaining clarity and detail.
Midrange
The midrange is warm and lush, with a rich, full-bodied sound that still offers good detail, allowing vocals and instruments to come through clearly and naturally.
Bass
The bass is lush and thick, providing a deep, full sound, but it doesn’t bleed into the midrange, allowing the clarity of the vocals and instruments to remain intact.
Soundstage and Imaging
For a closed-back headphone with this level of passive noise isolation, the soundstage size is surprisingly impressive. The imaging is clear and accurate, helping to create a well-defined sense of space within the music.
Detail, Dynamics, and Timbre
The detail level is definitely impressive for a wireless headphone, with good dynamics across the board. The timbre is generally excellent in the mid-range and treble, offering a natural and accurate representation. However, as with all fully closed headphones, the bass suffers a bit from resonance issues. It’s not overly problematic—resonances are mostly well-controlled, and there are no harsh peaks to speak of. By using EQ to slightly reduce the bass level, these resonances are minimized, and the bass becomes clearer and more nuanced.
COMPARISONS
Even though the Noble FoKus Apollo is an expensive wireless headphone, several other wireless options fall within the same price range or even exceed it. Some notable examples include: Focal Bathys, B&O H95 Beoplay, B&O H100 Beoplay, Dali IO8, Dali IO12, Mark Levinson 5909, and T+A Solitaire T.
I must admit that I don’t have any of the newest and most relevant wireless headphones on hand for direct comparison. However, I do have a good selection of wired headphones, which gives me a solid reference point. My focus in this section is to evaluate how well the Apollo performs against some relevant wired options. But before diving into that, let’s see how it stacks up against my old Sony WH-1000XM3, witch is still going strong.
WIRELESS: SONY WH-1000X m3
The Sony WH-1000 series has been among the best TWS headphones for years, with the lineup now in its fifth generation (M5). While I don’t have the latest model for comparison, I do have the third-generation WH-1000XM3, which was released in 2018. It’s a solid performer, especially if you tame its overpowering bass with EQ, but when compared directly to the Apollo, the difference in sound quality is undeniable. In every aspect, the Apollo comes out on top—there’s simply no contest.
WIRED 1: FIIO FT1 vs. Noble Apollo
In the sub-$500 range of wired closed-back headphones, the FiiO FT1 stands out as a top contender. Priced at just $149, it delivers performance that rivals models costing significantly more. When comparing wired headphones to the Apollo, you must factor in the need for a proper source and amplifier. However, in terms of pure value for money, the FT1 is hard to beat.
One of the FT1’s most admirable qualities is its exceptional tonal balance—better than most closed-back headphones at any price. It also excels in technical performance, which becomes immediately apparent when compared to the Apollo. Simply put, it’s the better headphone. The bass is more even and detailed, the midrange is more neutral, and the treble is equally refined. Additionally, the FT1 offers a much larger soundstage than the Apollo.
That said, as a wired headphone, the FT1 is significantly larger and doesn’t provide the same level of passive noise isolation. However, if sound quality is your priority, it’s an easy choice. But that’s the way it always will be. The best-value wired headphones will always give you better audio quality for the money. However, it lacks all the other functionalities and traits that make you go for a wireless headphone in the first place.
WIRED 2: Kiwi Ears Atheia vs. Noble Apollo
From a reader familiarity standpoint, the recently launched Kiwi Ears Atheia ($349/€320 ex. tax) may not be the most obvious choice for comparison, but there are several compelling reasons to use it as a reference when evaluating the Apollo.
First, the Atheia is a closed-back design intended for semi-portable use. Second, like the Apollo, it is a hybrid-driver headphone, utilizing both a planar magnetic driver and a dynamic driver in a similar configuration.
In my recent review, I found the Kiwi Ears Atheia to be an excellent performer for its price, although not as great value for money as the before mentioned FiiO FT1. However, to get the best experience from it, I had to swap the stock earpads—commonly known in the headphone enthusiast community as “pad swapping.” In this comparison, I did, however, stick to Atheia’s stock pads. Unfortunately, the Apollo’s proprietary pad system makes this difficult, requiring two-sided gel tape for any experimentation of third party pads.
At $349 / €320 ex. tax, at first glance, the Atheia is much more affordable than the Apollo. However, it requires a source and amplifier. I found the Dragonfly Cobalt (200 USD/€200) to be a great DAC/amp pairing, bringing the total cost close to the Apollo’s price, making the comparison very relevant.
These two headphones also have in common very nice build quality and a high comfort level. With regards to passive noise isolation, however, the Apollo is much better.
Now, over to the sound. While the overall sound signature and performance of both headphones are quite similar, there are differences.
When it comes to treble, there are no significant differences between the two. In the midrange, however, the Apollo presents a warmer and more upfront character, while the Atheia is darker, with less energy in the upper mids. That said, a simple pad swap to the right pads can make the Atheia very neutral and balanced-sounding along with bringing out more detail, making it the better performer. But in stock form, I definitely prefer the mids of the Apollo.
Even though they’re both delivering a thick and lush bas response, there’s a difference between the two models. The Apollo exhibits the most bloom, giving it a fuller and more emphasized low end, whereas the Atheia provides better detail and control in this region, even though it still is a bit bloomy.
Regarding soundstage and imaging, both headphones perform at a very similar level, offering comparable spatial presentation and instrument separation.
The overall detail retrieval is quite similar, though the Atheia has a slight edge, especially in the bass. The dynamics are virtually identical between the two. Timbre, however, leans in favor of the Apollo, which offers a more balanced and natural tonality. The Atheia, in its stock configuration, does not sound as natural in comparison, but again, a pad swap will make me prefer the Atheia.
CONCLUDING ON COMPARISONS
In conclusion, I am very impressed with the Apollo which in many ways holds its own in comparison to some very good wired headphones.
CONCLUSION
The Noble Audio FoKus Apollo is an exceptionally well-built wireless headphone, featuring premium materials and a sturdy, comfortable design. It offers well-thought-out functionality and impressive battery life.
The sound quality is excellent, with a slightly warm tonality and full, yet not overpowering, bass. Although it’s a wireless headphone, it isn’t put to shame when compared to some of my favorite closed-back wired headphones in the relevant price range.
There are even more expensive wireless headphones on the market, and I haven’t heard them all. That said, the Noble FoKus Apollo is the best wireless headphone I’ve experienced to date.
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