Verdict
The Noble Fokus Mystique are an amazing set of wi-fi earbuds that provide glorious sound high quality, a particular design and a snug match. With an amazing app, good mic high quality, first rate battery life and a brand new pass-through mode, additionally they have a couple of high quality of life options that their predecessors lacked. However with no waterproofing, no ANC, and a giant case, one factor is evident, these buds aren’t for everybody. For everybody else, these make listening a deal with.
Professionals
- Comfy design
- Good sound high quality
- Respectable mic high quality
Cons
- Huge case
- No waterproofing
- No ANC
Availability
- UKRRP: £359
- USARRP: $359
- EuropeTBC
- CanadaTBC
- AustraliaTBC
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App helpAccessible on Android on iOS -
Battery life30 hours of audio playback -
Ambient modeFilter sound via from the surface world
Introduction
It’s a typically accepted reality: the second album is tougher than the primary. Following a debut that units a typical and turns into a byword for high quality, residing as much as previous guarantees is a definite and tough problem, such is the issue of the Noble Fokus Mystique.
Its predecessor, the Noble Fokus Professional, was a really distinctive set of wi-fi earbuds, focussing on sound high quality with only a few drawbacks. The Mystique has the issue of at the very least matching the efficiency of its predecessor, whereas additionally delivering noticeable enhancements.
It has completed this by doubling down on sound high quality over all the things else. Along with some promised enhancements in microphone high quality, it appears there isn’t a lot on the floor to tell apart between the Professional and the Mystique. Even their designs are comparable.
The story is after all extra nuanced than this, with ups and downs alongside the best way. Does the Noble Fokus Mystique do sufficient to justify a spot in your ears?
Design
- Metallic case
- Comfy match
- Tight in-ear seal
For some it might be an issue, for others it might not: the Noble Fokus Mystique look extremely just like its predecessor. From the case to the form and the load, all the things is functionally equivalent. What this implies in follow, firstly, is a set of earbuds which might be snug and that additionally present a good seal when within the ear.
Throughout a number of hours of use, for calls and for music, the Fokus Mystique didn’t trigger me any discomfort, which is a particular plus. For these with extra delicate ears they might be a bit ‘heavy’, although a choice of completely different tip choices is included by default to fight this concern. It needs to be famous (and the producer is upfront with this) that these are buds solely to be thought-about for the occasional exercise. The match is tight, however these are meant for indulgent listens.
This tight match of the buds means there may be solely very minimal noise intrusion, appearing as a robust ‘passive’ noise isolation. There’s no lively part, no software program at play, however I discovered the match was sufficiently good to dam out most outdoors noise. In case you are a commuter and want one thing extra highly effective than passive noise isolation can obtain, there are alternatives accessible such because the Sony WF-1000XM4 and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II at a lower cost level.
In terms of the carrying case of the Fokus Mystique, the jury is out. It’s a actually chunky effort, product of steel and providing a heft and weight that belies its dimension. Completed in a powder darkish blue, it seems good, although its thickness hampers its portability credentials significantly.
These aren’t buds that can slot in skinny denims or wherever outdoors a backpack or jacket pocket. A bonus of the massive dimension is the power to pack in a bumper battery, with a quoted 7.5 hours of listening from the buds, stretched to over thirty with the case.
The buds themselves are fairly massive, a consequence of the match and the massive drivers integrated. They’ve a customized 3D printed design, which is similar to the type of wired IEMs utilized by audio engineers, a type of swirly stormy combine of colors, darkish blue and white. They’re engaging, although not in a head turning type of means – although that is once more with the proviso that conspicuous consumption isn’t the intent. They appear similar to the Fokus Professional.
Options
- Companion app
- Adjustable EQ presets
- Can create customised listening profiles
In contrast with the competitors, it may appear on the floor that the Fokus Mystique are function mild. There’s no lively noise cancellation, wi-fi charging, or anything usually used as a novel promoting level – not one of the mod cons many anticipate.
There are after all a couple of inclusions to tell apart the Mystique from their predecessor, first of which is an ambient mode. The Mystique buds don’t have lively noise cancellation, however their comfortable match means the surface world is tough to listen to when they’re worn. Ambient mode permits sounds to go via, so you can theoretically nonetheless have a dialog or work together with the world with the buds in.
I discovered this mode to work properly sufficient generally use. It isn’t as highly effective as a number of the competitors, the place it could actually generally double as a listening to help, however it’s highly effective sufficient to make a distinction in day-to-day use, equivalent to when procuring.
Along with this, there has additionally been a brand new consideration paid to voice high quality in calls. By nature of their design, the Mystique buds are removed from the mouth when in comparison with one thing like AirPods. The brand new mics have elevated sensitivity, and whereas they’re actually an enchancment over the Professional, they’re on the identical normal stage because the competitors, by no means exceeding it in any means.
Battery life was round that quoted by Noble, at round 7 hours of listening from the buds at half quantity earlier than they gave up the ghost.
What’s a constructive inclusion is the bundled app from Noble. This permits EQ to be adjusted and different settings and extra to be amended. A standout function on that is an choice that creates a customized EQ to your listening to. It performs quite a few noises at completely different frequencies, then adjusts bass and treble in accordance with your listening to wants. In my case the ensuing finish profile had much more affect than the usual association, bringing out extra element and vitality in most recordings.
It should be mentioned that given the value level it’s a disgrace to see no said waterproofing ranking and the omission of ANC. Each would supply a versatility in use that might enable a higher stage of parity with the competitors.
Sound High quality
- AptX, SBC and AAC codecs supported
- Glorious sound high quality
- Work with almost any style
On this evaluate up to now, negatives have been added with a caveat, that sure issues may need been omitted within the title of a laser give attention to audio high quality. The burning query is then: has that gamble paid off?
The reply actually is dependent upon how a lot you worth audio high quality. True wi-fi earbuds, although a lot improved from earlier years, nonetheless characterize a step down in sound high quality from what the very best over-ear headphones or wired choices can supply.
Comfort, helpful options and the loss of life of the headphone jack in almost all premium smartphones have been the elements which have pushed gross sales. For the jogger who wants rain-proofing, for the commuter drowning out the commute with ANC, the Noble Fokus Mystique should not the best choice accessible. Conversely, for the audiophile who calls for music high quality above all else, these are a no brainer.
From detailed classical recordings with dozens of devices to bass-heavy EDM, there isn’t actually a style that the Fokus Mystique can’t sort out. To start, they provide an immersive soundstage with good general separation, giving an amazing spatial presence to music performed. With the correct recording the element that may be achieved is phenomenal.
This lends itself properly to classical specifically, although some other style with busy alternatives of devices or parts additionally works properly. Vocals sound heat and have a pleasant sparkle. Bass is equally constructive, having chew and assault that lends a sense of enjoyable to social gathering tracks and dance.
Whether or not general music high quality issues is moot, however how a lot high quality individuals want isn’t. Although the Fokus Mystique will shine significantly with a pleasant FLAC file, they nonetheless lend their magic properly to music streamed at a low bitrate over Spotify. These are buds that make listening enjoyable, which even for the value isn’t a assure. Those that desire a extra impartial profile for his or her audio can tweak the EQ or look elsewhere, however by default the Fokus Mystique sound merely good.
Newest offers
Do you have to purchase it?
If you would like nice music high quality above all else: The Noble Fokus Mystique put music high quality entrance and centre and work properly with nearly any style.
If you would like buds to train with: The Fokus Mystique should not waterproof and should not supposed a lot else than the occasional exercise.
Last Ideas
The second album could also be tougher than the primary, however that doesn’t imply that it’s assured to fail – generally the alternative is true. The Noble Fokus Mystique have huge boots to fill, following within the footsteps of an completed predecessor, however they achieve this with aplomb.
With good sound high quality for any style, they make listening enjoyable, and boasting a snug match they’re straightforward to put on for hours on finish. The addition of an ambient go via mode, a brand new design and improved mic efficiency solely sweetens the deal. If you would like a very good set of buds to carry out the element in your music, you want look no additional.
However although the Fokus Mystique buds obtain what they got down to do, that doesn’t imply they’re the best choice for most individuals. In case you are a commuter, train recurrently or need one thing slightly extra bling, there are alternatives that match the temporary higher.
How we check
We check each set of headphones we evaluate totally over an prolonged time period. We use trade commonplace checks to check options correctly. We’ll all the time let you know what we discover. We by no means, ever, settle for cash to evaluate a product.
Discover out extra about how we check in our ethics coverage.
Examined over a number of weeks
Examined with actual world use
FAQs
There’s no lively noise-cancellation on this pair of earphones, however they do help a transparency mode to let outdoors sounds filter via.
Sustainability
Trusted Opinions’ holds the truth that world warming isn’t a delusion as a core worth and can repeatedly endeavour to assist defend our planet from hurt in its enterprise practices.
As a part of this mission, each time we evaluate a product we ship the corporate a collection of questions to assist us gauge and make clear the affect the system has on the setting.
We at present haven’t obtained solutions to the questions on this product, however will replace this web page the second we do. You may see an in depth breakdown of the questions we ask and why in our sustainability data web page.
