Almost two years after the release of the then one-of-a-kind FoKus Apollo, Noble Audio looks to revive their first over-ear headphones through a direct upgrade. Simply called the FoKus Apollo Pro, the headphones offer consumers a new version of its hybrid dual driver setup with enhanced tuning, updated features, and higher quality materials. With the novelty of unique specs far in the rearview mirror, can Noble’s revision drive a similar level of excitement?
What You Get:
- Noble Audio FoKus Apollo Pro Headphones
- Detachable 3.5mm Cable
- Boom Microphone
- Carry Case
- User Documentation
Look and Feel
From a surface level, the only additions the Apollo Pro has to offer are additional color options. Noble’s priorities with creating a more satisfying Apollo definitely lie more in materials than appearance. That is certainly not a problem, however; the Apollo build remains sleek and stylish with zero added fluff. Each piece of the headphone feels dense, strong and reliable. Textured fabric on the headband and shell is a subtle accent that stands out without being distracting.
These headphones truly feel “Pro” as soon as you put them on. The new premium velvet cushioning is soft to the touch and unobtrusive, maintaining lasting comfort. Those who were fans of the initial release should get even more out of the Pros, as should anyone looking for further longevity in their listening sessions. Longform use is further supported by a smaller carrying case, which increases portability for situations where longer durations are expected, like flights.
Design and Features
Reasonably, Noble reinforces what made the original a groundbreaking achievement. The first patented hybrid dual driver setup, made of a 40mm dynamic driver and a 14.5mm planar magnetic driver, provides the headphones with a distinct sound identity which compliments both precision and dynamics. For the Pro, however, Noble opted to retune this setup to produce a more high-end experience.
Noble also opts to maintain the Apollo’s strong Active Noise Cancelling Technology for both listening and speaking, even enhancing the provided boom mic to maximize speech quality. ANC with the Apollo Pro feels good in practical use, cutting out distracting frequencies and keeping the music clear. The headphones also received an upgrade in their transparency mode, providing the option for better alertness for outside sounds when walking in crowds or across busy roads.
The Fokus smartphone app provides more avenues for control and customization, including buttons for toggling volume and ANC modes. Additionally, the 10-band EQ can further specialize the headphones to one’s sound preferences. This can be done manually, through EQ presets made by Noble, or with a frequency exam that creates a preset for you. The app is also how users can update the headphone software, allowing for fixes to issues or further quality adjustments. Admittedly, the UI of the Fokus app feels pretty barren, but it’s still serviceable to what you would want it to do.
A new feature exclusive to the Apollo Pro is voice prompts, which read out notifications with a text-to-speech voice. While this feature often already appears on smartphones with dedicated text-to-speech like Apple’s Siri, I personally appreciate having a uniform version.
Bluetooth
The Apollo Pro ensures a steady connection with Bluetooth 5.3 capabilities through a Qualcomm QCC3084 chip. This connection supports a wide array of codecs, including LDAC, aptX HD, aptX, AAC, and SBC. I found pairing to be entirely seamless, the headphones appearing ready for connection with my device as soon as pairing mode was toggled. This ease can be felt between all of one’s devices, as the Pros also utilize multipoint connectivity.
Battery
Battery life remains consistent with the original FoKus Apollo, having 80 hours of standard playback and 60 with ANC toggled on. A slight improvement comes with the charging time, now under three hours. This gargantuan battery life ensures the Apollo Pros will be ready for extended durations of use, even across multiple days without charger access.
Soundstage
Within the closed-back market, the FoKus Apollo Pro has some serious strengths. The soundstage feels meticulous even with the limitations the back naturally instills. The width and depth develop a decently expansive image, and instruments sound appropriately placed. There is a noticeable constriction in the vertical range, leaving an unfortunate yet expected reminder of the compromise of closed-back headphones.
Low End
Coming right off reviewing their latest true wireless earbuds, the Osprey, Noble continues to impress me with their low end sound. Like the Osprey, the FoKus Apollo Pros aim to provide a prominent yet supportive punch that doesn’t forget the nuance underneath. Strings, synths and percussion within the low range all feel distinct and colorful, enriching the overall experience.
Mids
Like the original model, the midrange in the Pros tends to be most impactful at the polar ends. That is not to suggest a lesser experience, as everything feels clean and natural. Vocal performances and instruments are aptly layered, keeping sounds comfortable amongst each other and within the overall mix by extension.
Highs
The highs share a similarly rich depth to the low range, if a little less pushed. Flourishes glisten with an ample amount of room, but are kept stable enough to not become irritatingly bright. Having the range situated this way rounds out the sound with polar accents that don’t feel distractingly dramatic.
Summary
Noble’s FoKus Apollo Pro extends past a reminder of what made the original special, keeping the headphones relevant with modernized sound tuning and comfort. The quality of life adjustments feel welcome and appropriate, especially considering the very minor price increase.
While the “Pro” title might feel unsatisfying to those who associate it with technological advancements, this revision of the Apollo model reinvigorates its competitiveness with other contemporary models in its price range. For listeners looking for dense closed-back sound, impressive ANC, and extended comfort, Noble’s new update invites serious consideration.
The Noble FoKus Apollo Pro is available for $699 Audio46.
