Specifications of the Noble Focus Pro earbud
Fokus Pro is a witty pair of earbuds from high-end audio manufacturer Noble. Featuring incredible sound quality, a comfortable fit and strong battery life, it's a great choice for those looking to listen to relax at home. Although they lack a dedicated ANC mode, audio pass-through, and are resistant to splash-only liquids, these headphones are located near the top of the premium package.
Key features
Bluetooth supports SBC, ACC, aptX and aptX adaptations
Up to 70 hours battery with charging case
Introduction
Over the years, there has been unforgiving progress in the general expectations of what a truly "premium" pair of earbuds should offer.
When it once sounded good, a range of features from waterproofing to strong noise cancellation are now treated as the norm – with none usually indicating a lower state.
In contrast, the buds of Noble Fokus Pro offer something of a puzzle. Pricing in the higher range of the high end, it lacks advanced entry protection, has no noise cancellation and is mainly focused on a sophisticated audio experience.
Sony, Bose, Sennheiser, and others offer all the above features, and more, and also promise above-average listening, with better codec support and other subtleties. Does gambling heavily on one point pay off for Nobel, or are buyers better off looking elsewhere?
design
Metal Case
Comfortable fit
Custom design printed three-dimensional
The term "premium" in the context of design usually means several things, although these are mostly attempts to determine the X factor that makes the device feel more expensive than its price.
For earbuds, this may mean using metal in their construction, or a slight pattern in pursuit of perceived elegance that is limited only by the designer's mind. The use of bright colors, exotic designs and anything that goes against the mainstream is usually prohibited.
In contrast, the Noble Fokus Pro doesn't look outstanding at first glance, but then the appearance can be deceptive. As a manufacturer of high-end ear monitors, it turns out that Noble knows little about good design, and the lessons learned elsewhere have been well applied here.
The buds themselves have a more common appearance of in-ear screens than the usual real wireless options, meaning that they have a blue color similar to a guitar feather pattern, a custom three-dimensional print. It changes in light, does not stand out in the ear, as a result of which it is completely unique in the face of competition.
They are relatively large and heavy, but form a comfortable and secure seal in the ear - enough to passively block out a lot of background noise. A set of tips is included, as expected for the price, and the can keeps charging the buds when they are not in use. Prolonged wearing them proved not to be a problem, they remained comfortable for several hours of continuous use.
The case is quite massive and made of strong metal, which gives you a feeling of coolness and heaviness in the hand. They're built to last too, with an unexpected stumbling without a problem. Charging is done via USB-C and a cable is included. The size of the case can be problematic for those on the move, it is something that should fit in a bag or jacket pocket and does not fit well with some tight trouser pockets.
This should not be taken as minor against Fokus Pro, as instead it reflects the intended use case. These are not shoots intended to survive a hard run in the rain or avoid boredom on a noisy trip, instead they are for home, to really relax and listen .
Attributes
Free app
Adjustable EQ
Custom listening profiles
There's a lot to talk about when considering what Noble Fokus Pro doesn't have, but that doesn't mean they're not feature-rich per se.
To start, codecs support is strong from the start, with buds supporting SBC and AAC as well as aptX and aptX Adaptive, throughout Bluetooth 5.2. Each bud has a Knowles Balanced Armature motor and a dedicated 8.2mm dynamic motor, with custom tuning from John 'the Wizard' Chen.
As also expected, an app is available for both iOS and Android, which offers the ability to modify the EQ along with the ability to create custom voice profiles and adjust device gesture controls.
The option to create distinct audio profiles proved to be a special win, when the option is selected, the user is presented with a listening test, with the resulting effect and then designed to give a completely personalized experience. In practice, it has proven to have a rather dramatic effect (for the better) and is a big plus as a result.
Waterproofing is not offered, as the shoots are described as "resistant to splashing liquids", but the manufacturer makes it clear that they are not the best for sports. If this is the main consideration, it is better to look elsewhere.
The mentioned battery life is about 7.5 hours, which would have been generally achievable, while the case should theoretically offer 8 more charges or so. I've found this to be mostly the case too, which means that if you have a long trip, it might be worth taking a look at it.
Things are less binary when it comes to the issue of sound insulation. There is no active noise cancellation offered with Fokus Pro, which at the price point is considered among competitors. However, I found that the fit was comfortable enough that external noise proved not to be a problem, although different ear sizes may provide a different experience.
Something that is definitely missing is the inclusion of any kind of voice pass mode, however, if you need to hear an announcement or someone talking, you will simply need to remove the buds from your ears completely. This is not the biggest problem in the world, but again, competition offers more in this area.
Finally, the microphone quality has proven to be mostly powerful, which means it will double that of video call buddies, even if you don't replace the headset with a dedicated microphone.
Sound quality
Three drivers
Ample sound space
Fits most species
So comes the big question, if everything depends on audio performance, will the Noble Fokus Pro keep its promise? Fortunately the answer is yes. Such buds simply look great.
What appears immediately after listening for the first time is the size of the acoustic theater on display. Everything looks spacious and spacious, and it is easy to place individual machines even on the most complex tracks. This benefits the orchestra's particularly lush arrangements, which automatically means that if you are a big fan of classical music, these will serve you well.
Positive impressions persist with the bass, which is deep, round and heavy. Punk, dance, EDM dance and rock are especially well represented, with Fokus Pro providing enjoyable listening for everyone.
While in many cases with headphones, some genres or songs may be more suitable for certain genres, Noble Fokus Pro does not offer any real weaknesses. The criticism that can be imposed may be that they cannot be used as a reference for listening, but this is not the intended use case.
Regardless of your preferences in music, these buds will prove to be attractive - if sound quality is your priority above all, then it should be on your list.