Noble Audio, a company known for its high-end in-ear monitors, has announced its first foray into the world of over-ear headphones with the new FoKus Apollo.
Launching today, these wireless headphones boast a world-first hybrid driver arrangement, combining dynamic and planar magnetic technologies in a single unit.
The FoKus Apollo features a patented configuration of a 40mm dynamic driver paired with a 14.5mm planar magnetic driver.
This unique setup aims to harness the strengths of both driver types: the powerful bass response typically associated with dynamic drivers, and the clarity and accuracy in mid and high frequencies that planar magnetic drivers are known for.
Noble claims this combination will deliver “audio like no other wireless headphone that has come before.”
What Are Planar Drivers?
Planar magnetic drivers, or planar drivers, are a special type of speaker used in some high-end headphones.
Unlike regular headphone speakers that use a cone-shaped part to make sound, planar drivers use a very thin, flat surface – imagine a small, taut drum skin, suspended between two arrays of magnets.
This flat surface vibrates to create sound waves. Because it’s so thin and light, it can move very quickly and precisely.
This often results in clearer and more detailed sound, especially for higher notes and complex music.
Many audio enthusiasts praise planar drivers for their ability to reproduce music with great accuracy, making it sound more like you’re hearing the instruments live.
Key features of the new FoKus Apollo include:
- Hybrid active noise cancellation (ANC) with up to -35dB reduction
- Support for high-quality audio codecs, including LDAC, AAC, aptX, and aptX HD
- Extended battery life of up to 80 hours (60 hours with ANC active)
- Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity with multipoint support
- Removable boom microphone (in addition to the built-in microphones)
- Onboard mute switch for all microphones
- Transparency mode for ambient awareness
The headphones are constructed using premium materials, including an anodised aluminium frame, Alcantara headband, and replaceable protein leather earpads.
Noble has also developed a companion app called Noble FoKus for personalised EQ adjustments and feature management.
The Noble FoKus Apollo are priced at £599 in the UK ($649 / €699 elsewhere), positioning it in the high-end consumer headphone market.
Founded in 2013 by John Moulton, Noble Audio established itself in the audiophile community with its first release, the highly acclaimed K-10 in-ear monitor.
The company entered the true wireless market with the Falcon Pro in 2020 and the FoKus Pro TWS in 2021.
The success of the FoKus Apollo’s unique hybrid driver approach remains to be seen, as real-world performance and user reception will ultimately determine its impact.