Noble FoKus Rex5 Vs Prestige Comparison Review

Noble Audio has built a reputation for pushing the boundaries of sound quality and design for true wireless earbuds. The FoKus Rex5 and FoKus Prestige continue this trend, delivering high-fidelity audio with a striking in-ear monitor (IEM) aesthetic. But which of these high-end wireless IEMs is the better fit for your listening preferences? In this review, we compare their design, sound quality, features, and Bluetooth capabilities to help you decide which one deserves a spot in your collection.

What You Get

Look & Feel

There aren’t any sets of true wireless earbuds that have the look of the Rex5 and Prestige. Instead of looking like standard earbuds, Noble gives their FoKus series earbuds the structure of an IEM. This gives the Rex5 and Prestige a striking look, taking on the appearance of a more luxurious product. The Prestige is a bit more narrow of a body, but the Rex5 doesn’t feel too big for your ears in comparison.

Design & Functionality

The Rex5 and Prestige both have driver configurations that are uncommon compared to most true wireless earbuds. These are both muli-driver systems, with the Prestige using dynamic and balanced armature units, and the Rex5 using dynamic, balanced armature, and planar units. In terms of features, the Rex5 and Prestige both use the same Noble FoKus app for EQ and other personalization options. The Rex5 uses particularly advanced technology called “audiodo” which has a more sophisticated algorithm. You can also customize the touch sensor controls in the app, but the Rex5 has much more sensitive responses than the Prestige. This is both a pro and a con for the Rex5, but the Prestige is just as responsive without being too jumpy. If you must have noise-canceling though, the Rex5 is the only option that will give it to you.

Bluetooth

Where the Rex5 has the most direct advantage over the Prestige is in its Bluetooth. The Rex5 offers Bluetooth version 5.4, while the Prestige only gives you 5.2. Both earbuds are very stable with their connection, but the Rex5 has higher transmission quality and faster pairing. Both earbuds use aptX adaptive CODECs, but only the Rex5 supports LDAC.

Battery Life

A drawback of the Rex5 having more features than the Prestige is the battery life. The Prestige will give you three extra hours of listening time from a single charge compared to the Rex5.

Soundstage

If you’re looking for the best soundstages over true wireless, the FoKus line is where you want to go. Both the Rex5 and Prestige are winners here in my book, but they still have their differences worth comparing. They have similar levels of spatial accuracy, going above and beyond what most true wireless earbuds can do, offering strong precision and space between instruments.

Those who have listened to Noble Audio’s IEMs will be granted a similar experience with how the Rex5 and Prestige handle spatial imaging. The only major difference between these earbuds is how layering is presented. With the Rex5, the sound is very open compared to most true wireless earbuds, but it’s a bit more linear compared to the Prestige. The instruments on the Rex5 are very direct and forward-facing, while the Prestige shows a bit more dimension.

Low End

Both the FoKus Rex5 and Prestige have adjustable EQ controls that help you personalize the bass to your liking. In their default settings, the bass response shows control and clarity through both earbuds. The Rex5 has a very balanced sound signature that emits well-rounded bass notes with solid impact. If you’re looking for more consistent weight from the bass timbre, the Prestige might be the better pick for you. It’s similarly clear and detailed like the Rex5, but the sub-bass is more prominent.

Mids

The midrange is a major highlight for both the Rex5 and the Prestige. Both earphones are very detailed and full, with the Rex5 taking on a lush response in particular. With the Prestige, the mids have slightly more transparency on specific notes, while the Rex5 is smoother and more textured. These earbuds come together with vocals, as the Rex5 and Prestige showcase crisp vocals.

Highs

If you’re not a fan of treble, neither set of earbuds has a particularly strong presence. Both the Rex5 and Prestige are very relaxed, for a fairly standard high-frequency response. The Prestige has a slight sizzle and air to it, but there’s rarely any significant brightness to it. You can have a more bare-bones treble with the Rex5 in comparison, but it still offers good height and consistency.

Summary

Both the FoKus Rex5 and Prestige deliver exceptional sound quality, premium design, and advanced features that set them apart from most true wireless earbuds. If you value customization, noise cancellation, and LDAC support, the Rex5 is the better choice. However, if you prefer longer battery life and a more spacious, dimensional soundstage, the Prestige is a strong contender. Ultimately, your decision comes down to sound preferences and feature priorities, but either way, you’re getting a top-tier listening experience from Noble Audio.

The Noble FoKus Rex5 and FoKus Prestige are available at Audio46.