By Guy Lerner
If you’re thinking there’s a typo in the headline, think again. Noble, one of the most influential and respected brands in the audiophile in-ear monitor space, has made a headphone! And not just any headphone – a wireless headphone. For audiophiles.
That’s not the only first in Noble’s all-new FoKus Apollo (Price: $999). It also happens to be the world’s first hybrid headphone, featuring both dynamic and planar magnetic drivers in the same earcup. This in itself should immediately raise some eyebrows from those audiophiles who typically ‘look down’ on wireless headphones as the poor cousins of the ‘real thing’.
The thing is, the FoKus Apollo backs up its pioneering tech with incredible sound. Yes, it can be wired up for more traditional audiophiles (with an included 4.4mm adapter for convenience, no less). But it’s the wireless sound quality that’s going to get people talking, or rather, jamming out, even those who didn’t think this level of quality was achievable sans wires.
But I digress, let’s take a step back and then dive in to see exactly what this headphone is all about.
Specs
- The world's first hybrid driver wireless headphone array: 40mm dynamic driver with 14.5mm planar magnetic driver.
- Qualcomm QCC3084 SoC with Bluetooth 5.3 and support for all major codecs, including LDAC, AAC, and aptX HD.
- Hybrid active noise cancelling technology with three microphones per side effective up to -35db.
- Removable boom mic for conference calls and gaming.
- Onboard mute switch for all microphones.
- Multipoint connection for easy switching between multiple devices.
- High stamina battery with up to 80 hours without ANC / 60 hours with ANC.
- Wired mode with included 3.5mm cable, USB-C cable, and airplane/4.4mm adapters.
- Premium components, including anodised aluminium frame, premium protein leather replaceable earpads with memory foam, and Alcantara headband.
- Noble FoKus app for fine-tuning, firmware updates, settings control and personal EQ.
You could say this looks like a fairly standard set of specs for a premium wireless headphone, but if you’re going to ask buyers to part with almost twice as much money as what most people consider the ‘best’ premium wireless headphones from the likes of Sony, Bose, Cambridge Audio and Sennheiser, then you need to have something more to show for it.
That extra something is invariably tied in with Noble’s hybrid driver technology, which is both more complex and simpler than many people realise. Hybrid driver arrays are nothing new in the in-ear world where Noble comes from. In fact, many of today’s IEMs, even budget versions, feature more than two or even three types of drivers in each earpiece.
The logic behind it is the simple part: certain drivers are better at reproducing certain frequencies, so super-fast planar drivers, for instance, are better at extracting more detail from the music than slower but punchier and more ‘organic-sounding’ dynamic drivers.
The hard part comes with combining two or more drivers to create a seamless, cohesive soundscape. This often involves additional technology, like crossovers, that limit each driver to specific frequencies, and also helps to blend the transition between the output of the different drivers all playing at the same time.
This is where Noble’s know-how and years of experience in combining different driver types comes into play, and result is a headphone that not only sounds cohesive, but also takes sound reproduction a few steps further than would otherwise be possible with single-driver headphones. That sound quality, ultimately, is what you’re paying for here, but FoKus Apollo is more than just a ‘better sounding’ headphone.
Packaging and accessories
Unboxing the Apollo is a bit like opening a fancy present from someone who really knows your style. It comes in this cool, sturdy box wrapped in a stylish sleeve that practically screams, “Look at me!” The sleeve itself is a vibe – you’ll probably spend a second admiring it before ripping it off like a kid on Christmas morning.
Once you slide off the sleeve, you’re greeted by a grey hard-shell box with flaps that open like a magic door, unveiling a chic carrying case adorned with a chrome Noble logo. Fancy, right? The whole experience feels like unboxing some high-end gadget that you’re half scared to touch.
The carrying case is covered in a rugged fabric that’s all business on the outside but soft and protective on the inside. Bonus points for the top handle that makes it travel-ready, even if the upside-down logo when carrying it might confuse a few onlookers.
Inside, you’ll find accessories galore. There’s a lined honeycomb fabric on the case’s inner flap that’s so luxe it almost feels excessive (almost). The removable moulded interior is perfect for storing not just the Apollo but other gear (like a DAP), because Noble apparently knew we audiophiles like to multitask.
The accessory line-up is impressive: USB-C to USB-C cables, a detachable boom mic, adapters for every situation, and a cute little accessory pouch with the Noble logo. There’s even a TRRS to 4.4mm balanced adapter, although I’m not convinced the output is truly balanced.
Still, everything about the packaging and accessories screams quality, which is no less than you should expect for the premium.
Design and fit
Let’s be honest: wireless headphones can sometimes feel like they’re just trying to fit in with the cool kids. But Apollo? It’s the headliner. I had my doubts at first, but they vanished as soon as I took these out of the box. The design is a perfect blend of sporty and classy, with woven fabric on the headband, aluminium accents, and an Alcantara inner lining that practically whispers “luxury.”
The adjustable headband makes finding your perfect fit easy, and the weight distribution is so on point it’s almost unfair to other headphones. Noble also nailed the little things, like tactile buttons, a clever LED placement, and a mic mute button that feels oddly satisfying to press. The slim headband and single-sided aluminium cup holder make these look sleek without overdoing it.
Now, the ear cups are a bit wider than usual, so if you have a smaller head, you might want to test them out first to make sure you’re not going for the bobblehead look. But they rotate inward and outward, so they lie flat, and the aluminium skeleton feels robust. The neatly routed cables tucked into the arms are a subtle touch of engineering genius that you probably wouldn’t notice unless you’re fiddling with the headband.
Comfort-wise, I’m picky. But the Apollo? It’s like wearing clouds. The protein leather earpads with memory foam and the Alcantara headband lining are a dream combo. They even thought of printing huge left and right indicators inside the cups because who has time to squint? The clamping force strikes a perfect balance: snug but not vice-grip tight. At 320g, they’re light enough to forget you’re wearing them but solid enough to remind you they mean business.
Connectivity, call quality, and noise cancelling
Considering the target audience here, let’s talk connections. Noble packed the Apollo with Qualcomm’s QCC3084 chipset, offering Bluetooth 5.3 and LDAC for top-notch wireless audio.
Mind you, LDAC is only useful if you have a compatible source, but even with my iPhone’s ‘lesser’ codecs, Apollo stayed rock-solid, with zero hiccups in connectivity. Streaming high-res audio? Flawless. Jumping between calls? Smooth as butter. Thanks to its multipoint pairing, I had it connected to my iPhone and MacBook at the same time, and it effortlessly swapped between devices depending on which one decided to play sound. No fiddling required.
Bluetooth 5.3 isn’t just cutting-edge; it’s future-proof, ensuring the Apollo stays relevant for years to come. Signal strength is excellent, even in challenging environments like crowded subway stations. Whether you’re streaming music, taking calls, or using ANC, Apollo delivers consistently.
And if you’re gaming or prefer a wired connection, it offers USB-C and AUX modes for (relatively) lag-free performance. Bluetooth latency is decent for casual gaming or video, but serious gamers will appreciate the boom mic paired with the AUX mode for a competitive edge.
Now, let’s address the mic situation. The Apollo is armed with five internal mics plus a detachable boom mic, all powered by an ADI chipset. This setup combines feedforward and feedback ANC with microphones on both sides of the earcups. Translation? Noise is cancelled, and your voice is amplified beautifully.
In testing, the mic performance was stellar. Apollo handled phone calls and Zoom chats (wired and wireless) like a pro, with background noise barely noticeable.
Apollo’s hybrid ANC is surprisingly effective, especially in the low-frequency range. It eliminates annoying background hums, like air conditioners, fan noise, and droning crowds with impressive precision. Conversations and higher-pitched sounds don’t get filtered out as much, but it still reduces distractions enough to create a peaceful listening experience in noisy spaces like cafés or offices.
Pair that with excellent passive noise isolation and you’ve got yourself a solid noise-cancelling setup.
While it doesn’t quite dethrone ANC heavyweights like the Bose QC45 or Sony XM5, that’s not what the Apollo is aiming for. As a high-end audiophile headphone with ANC as a bonus, it does a fantastic job.
What’s slightly less impressive is the transparency mode. It’s functional and effective enough, though not quite as natural-sounding as only the specialist wireless OEMs can make it. That said, for an audiophile-focused device, it works really well.
Physical controls and the FoKus app
Apollo keeps things straightforward with its well-thought-out control setup, featuring five distinct buttons: a power/Bluetooth combo button, an ANC toggle, volume up, volume down, and a dedicated mic mute switch.
The power/Bluetooth button is ridge-shaped for easy identification (even when you’re wearing the headphones), and it’s a bit of a multitasker. Hold it down for three seconds to turn the headphones on, signalled by a tone and an LED that flashes blue and red. Keep holding, and voilà – you’re in Bluetooth pairing mode.
Once you’re up and running, a quick press of this button handles play/pause for your tunes or answers and ends calls. Feeling chatty? Double-press to summon your voice assistant of choice, whether it’s Siri, Google Assistant, or Bixby (for the three people still using it).
The ANC button couldn’t be simpler – press it to toggle between ANC On, ANC Off, and transparency mode. It’s like a cycle button for your auditory preferences. The volume controls are equally intuitive: tap to adjust volume up or down, or hold them down to skip forward (volume up) or back (volume down) through tracks.
But the real MVP here? That dedicated mic mute switch. Whether you’re using the built-in mic or the detachable boom mic, this little switch has your privacy covered. Slide it up to unmute, down to mute; no awkward fumbling during a WhatsApp argument or a tense work call. It’s a small touch, but it’s a game-changer for gamers and multitaskers alike.
If you’re old-school (or just out of battery), Apollo’s got you covered with USB-C and 3.5mm AUX inputs. Plugging in via USB-C keeps all the features – ANC, transparency, and the rest – fully operational. With the AUX cable, things are a little different. If the headphones are powered on, you can still use ANC and adjust volume. But if they’re powered off, it’s straight-up passive listening, no frills. Just you and your music (or podcast, or existential thoughts).
For those who love tweaking settings, Noble offers the FoKus app, available for both iOS and Android. Once connected, the app instantly recognises the Apollo and gives you a slick visual representation of the headphones. It’s like a little command centre in your pocket.
The app’s standout feature is its 10-band equaliser, which lets you fine-tune the sound to your heart’s content. But because Apollo is made for audiophiles, it goes even further than regular EQ. Using a frequency sweep feature, you can fine-tune the sound to your specific preferences. Too much treble sizzle? Easy as a slider to fix that one. Not enough bass? Ditto.
Not into fiddling with sliders? No worries, there are plenty of pre-configured EQ presets to choose from. You can also switch between ANC and transparency modes directly in the app, which is great when you don’t feel like reaching for the buttons.
Oh, and firmware updates? No need for cables or complicated processes. The app pushes updates wirelessly, keeping your Apollo running smoothly with the latest features.
In summary: easy controls, versatile connectivity, and a solid app make the Apollo as user-friendly as it is stylish.
Sound impressions
Apollo’s sound quality in wireless mode is nothing short of impressive, delivering a solid performance that blends impactful bass, clear mids, and balanced treble.
Starting with the bass, it’s tightly controlled, offering a punchy, dynamic response without veering into boomy or muddy territory. Tracks like Billie Eilish's bad guy showcase this beautifully. The thumping bass line hits with authority, but it doesn’t overshadow the rest of the instrumentation. It’s fast, precise, and doesn’t bleed into the mids, making the listening experience feel balanced and engaging.
Unlike some mainstream wireless headphones, even the pricey ones, which tend to exaggerate the low end, the Apollo strikes a balance that feels natural yet satisfying.
The transition from bass to mids is particularly noteworthy. Male vocals and instruments feel rich and full-bodied without sounding overly thick. Take, for example, Leonard Cohen’s You Want It Darker, his deep, resonant voice feels appropriately weighted, with just the right amount of texture to bring out the emotive quality of the performance.
The mids, while slightly recessed compared to the bass and treble, manage to maintain good clarity and detail. Guitars, in particular, shine in tracks like Fleetwood Mac's The Chain, where each pluck and strum of the strings feels tangible, giving the track a raw, emotional edge. While the Apollo doesn’t reach the midrange transparency levels of high-end planar headphones, it competes admirably with wired headphones in the same price bracket.
Upper mids carry an energetic presence, benefiting from the Apollo’s planar drivers. This energy translates into a lively, engaging sound that enhances vocals and acoustic instruments. Adele’s Easy on Me highlights this beautifully, with her voice soaring effortlessly without any hint of harshness or fatigue.
The treble, on the other hand, is expansive and controlled, lending an airy quality to tracks with intricate high-frequency details. Daft Punk’s Giorgio by Moroder is an excellent example, where the shimmering cymbals and electronic flourishes are rendered with precision and clarity.
What sets the Apollo apart from many mainstream wireless headphones is its technical prowess. The transients feel snappy, with fast attack and decay, giving instruments a defined, lifelike quality. Tracks with dense arrangements, like Tool’s Vicarious can often sound congested on lesser headphones, but the Apollo manages to keep everything organised. The interplay between the drums, bass, and guitars remains coherent, even during the song’s most chaotic moments. This level of congestion handling is rare for wireless headphones, making the Apollo a standout choice for complex or poorly recorded tracks.
Soundstage, while not as vast as open-back designs, is surprisingly spacious for a closed-back wireless headphone. Listening to Hans Zimmer’s Time from Inception, Apollo offers a sense of depth and width that immerses you in the music. Imaging is precise, making it easy to pinpoint instruments and effects within the mix. It’s worth noting, however, that enabling ANC slightly reduces the bass’s presence, particularly in environments with constant low-frequency noise, like a running fan.
Switching to USB-C mode adds another layer of flexibility to the Apollo’s performance. The sound quality in this mode is very similar to wireless LDAC, with a few subtle differences. The bass feels a touch tighter, and note definition across the spectrum gains a slight improvement. For instance, in Massive Attack’s Angel, the deep bass line feels more textured, while the haunting vocals and atmospheric details come through with even greater clarity.
One of the advantages of USB-C mode is that it charges the headphones while you listen, making it a practical choice for long sessions. However, the maximum volume and overall amplification appear to be identical to wireless mode, so while there’s an improvement in detail, it’s not as significant as one might hope. Still, the convenience of maintaining all active features, like ANC and transparency mode, during USB-C playback is a welcome touch.
For audiophiles with high-end DAC/AMP setups, the Apollo’s AUX mode provides the best sound quality. Treble gains additional transparency and resolution, and the bass impact becomes even more pronounced.
Tracks like Radiohead’s Everything in Its Right Place reveal an enhanced sense of dynamics, with the electronic layers and subtle background details rendered with remarkable precision. The overall PRaT (Pace, Rhythm, and Timing) in this mode is noticeably improved, making energetic tracks like Arctic Monkeys’ Do I Wanna Know? feel even more alive.
While AUX mode offers the best sound performance, it’s worth mentioning that the Apollo’s design and features are clearly optimised for wireless use, so the wired experience feels more like a bonus than a primary use case.
In summary, the Apollo delivers an impressive auditory experience across all modes, whether wireless, USB-C, or AUX. Its ability to handle complex tracks, deliver tight bass, and maintain clarity in mids and treble makes it a versatile option for a wide range of music genres. Whether you’re a casual listener or a detail-focused audiophile, the Apollo offers a sound signature that is both enjoyable and technically accomplished.
Closing thoughts
The Noble FoKus Apollo is a ground-breaking entry in the wireless headphone market, blending premium audiophile-grade sound with modern convenience. Targeted at discerning listeners who value top-tier audio performance, the Apollo sets itself apart with its innovative hybrid driver system – combining dynamic and planar magnetic drivers for a unique listening experience.
While wireless headphones often face scepticism from audiophiles, the Apollo challenges these biases with exceptional sound quality, offering tight, punchy bass, rich mids, and airy treble, all delivered with impressive detail and clarity. It even supports wired playback for traditionalists, providing versatility for a range of listening preferences.
The headphone’s thoughtful design matches its sonic prowess. Its luxurious Alcantara-lined headband, replaceable memory foam earpads, and sturdy aluminium frame deliver comfort and durability. Whether you’re streaming high-res audio via Bluetooth 5.3, connecting multiple devices with its multipoint feature, or enhancing calls with the detachable boom mic, the Apollo balances premium aesthetics with cutting-edge functionality.
Active noise cancellation effectively reduces low-frequency hums, while a dedicated app offers custom EQ adjustments and firmware updates, making it a dream for tech-savvy users.
For audiophiles who prioritise soundstage and tonal precision, the Apollo excels across genres, handling intricate tracks with ease. It shines in wireless mode, yet its USB-C and AUX options enhance versatility, making it suitable for casual listeners and hi-fi enthusiasts alike.
Priced significantly higher than mainstream competitors like Sony or Bose, the Apollo justifies its premium tag by delivering an unmatched combination of innovative audio technology, luxurious design, and versatile features.
For those who demand the very best in wireless audio, the Noble FoKus Apollo is a worthwhile investment that redefines what wireless headphones can do.
