Noble FoKus Apollo vs. Focal Bathys: Comparison Review

“Audiophile” and “Bluetooth” hardly ever makes a crossover on the subject of headphones, however there are literally fairly a number of choices that fall into this overlap. Coming from two very well-known manufacturers, Noble Audio and Focal have produced studio-quality headphones that goal to please the pickiest listeners. The FoKus Apollo and the Bathys fall into the identical value level of $650-700. How do they examine towards one another? Immediately we have a look and discover out. 

What Comes In The Field

Aesthetics and Performance

Every headphone has a traditional design that’s visually gorgeous. The Apollo has a  clean, modern gray face on the edges and cushiony headband and earpads. The brand for Noble Audio may be seen clearly on the edges, and there are management buttons alongside the sting of the earcup. Sporting them was very comfy, although I discovered they sat additional again on my head. If I leaned again, I knew I might danger them falling off. In the meantime, The Bathys go for a extra ergonomic form, curving to the form of your head and ear for a snug match. These stayed safe on my head all through listening with no worry of them falling off. 

Each the headphones are comparatively straightforward to operate as nicely. By holding down the center energy button on the Apollo and switching the ability into the “ON” place on the Bathys, I used to be in a position to pair each headphones to my machine seamlessly with out concern. I favored that the Apollo has the app that you should use to customise the EQ and noise canceling options on. The Bathys falls brief in that customization division. 

Tech Specs

Trying on the tech behind these headphones, you will notice loads of variations. The Apollo impresses with twin driver expertise and 60 hours of uninterrupted battery life, with the ANC turned on. The Bathys share the identical 40mm dynamic driver, however solely has 30 hours of playback time on a full cost. The up to date Bluetooth model on the Apollo and addition of a removable microphone makes it appear to outshine its competitor.

Listening Overview

Soundstage & ANC

Every headphone has a reasonably broad soundstage. The Bathys’ soundstage instantly feels wider and extra immersive than the Apollo. There’s loads of readability and element in these headphones, most notably within the Bathys. Whereas the clearness does come via on the Apollo, there was a contact of distortion when sure greater frequencies had been hit. Over time, I seen this distortion was lessened and realized that the headphones wanted to be damaged in a bit earlier than reaching their full potential. This truth makes me extra drawn to the Bathys, since they had been prepared to make use of at their full potential virtually instantly.

Lively noise cancelation (ANC) is a characteristic additionally offered on each of those headphones. Their over-ear design permits for pure sound isolation to happen, however in addition they guarantee that you’re fully immersed in your listening. Between the 2, I felt the Apollo did a greater job canceling out the noise, most likely due to the totally closed-back design. The Bathys had good noise canceling, however it was simpler within the Apollo.  

Low Frequencies

The low finish is well probably the most spectacular issues about each these headphones. With 40mm dynamic drivers in every, the Apollo and Bathys pack a punch with every bass hit. It is heat and grounding, offering a strong basis for every instrument and frequency that lay on high of it. I favored the ability of the bass on the Apollo greater than the Bathys, because the sound signature of the Bathys leaned in direction of the brighter facet. The extent of element on every headphone was very clear and didn’t turn into muddy with the addition of extra devices. 

Mid-Vary Frequencies

The mid vary is exceptionally clear in each headphones. The low mids are a spotlight on each of those headphones, providing an important segue from a really deep and impactful low finish to some brighter, extra colourful tones. I favored the element given on the Bathys, and the way the vocals shine and stand out a bit extra. It provides the headphones a extra dynamic and entertaining high quality. The Apollo remains to be extremely dynamic, although the unnatural and artificial sounding replica of devices makes it fall wanting the audio from the Bathys. 

Excessive Frequencies

Relating to the excessive finish, there are a number of notable variations between the 2 headphones. Due to the planar driver within the Apollo, there’s a sure brightness that will get accentuated when listening. To me, it sounds barely artificial, virtually like you would inform it wasn’t fairly naturally produced. You possibly can hear how some excessive synths or guitar harmonics ring out and sound a bit off from how you’ll count on. Conversely, the Bathys wouldn’t have this concern. The excessive finish is obvious and shiny, and a very good steadiness to the robust low finish. Whereas each headphones carried out comparatively equally for the opposite frequency ranges, that is one the place they’re starkly completely different. 

Abstract

In conclusion, there are two nice pairs of Bluetooth headphones right here. The FoKus Apollo provides you an attention-grabbing technological improve, adopted by nice low finish and the power to customise your listening expertise. The Bathys deal with exact, correct, studio-quality sound, all with out compromising consolation. With solely $50 between them, neither could be a nasty alternative for somebody seeking to buy an audiophile Bluetooth headphone. Personally, I consider the Bathys are extra suited to my preferences, however I can definitely see the Apollo becoming the invoice for another person as a substitute. 

The Apollo and the Bathys are each accessible for buy at Audio46.