Noble Fokus Mystique

Verdict

The Noble Fokus Mystique are an incredible set of wi-fi earbuds that provide glorious sound high quality, a particular design and a cushty match. With an incredible app, good mic high quality, respectable battery life and a brand new pass-through mode, in addition they have a number of high quality of life options that their predecessors lacked. However with no waterproofing, no ANC, and a giant case, one factor is obvious, these buds aren’t for everybody. For everybody else, these make listening a deal with.

Introduction

It’s a usually accepted fact: the second album is tougher than the primary. Following a debut that units a typical and turns into a byword for high quality, dwelling 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 very distinctive set of wi-fi earbuds, focussing on sound high quality with only a few drawbacks. The Mystique has the problem of at the least matching the efficiency of its predecessor, whereas additionally delivering noticeable enhancements.

It has achieved this by doubling down on sound high quality over every part 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 in fact 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

• Steel case
• Comfy match
• Tight in-ear seal

For some it could be an issue, for others it could not: the Noble Fokus Mystique look extremely much like its predecessor. From the case to the form and the burden, every part is functionally equivalent. What this implies in follow, firstly, is a set of earbuds which might be snug and that additionally present a decent 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 totally different tip choices is included by default to fight this challenge. It ought to be famous (and the producer is upfront with this) that these are buds solely to be thought of 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, performing as a robust ‘passive’ noise isolation. There’s no energetic element, no software program at play, however I discovered the match was sufficiently good to dam out most exterior noise. In case you are a commuter and want one thing extra highly effective than passive noise isolation can obtain, there are alternatives obtainable such because the Sony WF-1000XM4 and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II at a cheaper price level.

In the case of the carrying case of the Fokus Mystique, the jury is out. It’s a actually chunky effort, product of metallic and providing a heft and weight that belies its measurement. Completed in a powder darkish blue, it seems to be good, although its thickness hampers its portability credentials significantly.

These aren’t buds that can slot in skinny denims or wherever exterior a backpack or jacket pocket. A bonus of the massive measurement 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 included. They’ve a customized 3D printed design, which is similar to the form of wired IEMs utilized by audio engineers, a form of swirly stormy combine of colors, darkish blue and white. They’re enticing, although not in a head turning form of manner – 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 energetic noise cancellation, wi-fi charging, or anything sometimes used as a singular promoting level – not one of the mod cons many count on. 

There are in fact a number of inclusions to tell apart the Mystique from their predecessor, first of which is an ambient mode. The Mystique buds don’t have energetic noise cancellation, however their cosy match means the surface world is tough to listen to when they’re worn. Ambient mode permits sounds to move by means of, so you may theoretically nonetheless have a dialog or work together with the world with the buds in. 

I discovered this mode to work properly sufficient usually use. It isn’t as highly effective as among the competitors, the place it may generally double as a listening to help, however it’s highly effective sufficient to make a distinction in day-to-day use, similar 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 definitely an enchancment over the Professional, they’re on the identical basic degree because the competitors, by no means exceeding it in any manner.

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 optimistic inclusion is the bundled app from Noble. This enables EQ to be adjusted and different settings and extra to be amended. A standout function on that is an possibility that creates a customized EQ in your listening to. It performs a lot of noises at totally different frequencies, then adjusts bass and treble in keeping with your listening to wants. In my case the ensuing finish profile had much more impression 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 acknowledged waterproofing score and the omission of ANC. Each would offer a versatility in use that will enable a better degree of parity with the competitors.

Sound High quality

• AptX, SBC and AAC codecs supported
• Glorious sound high quality
• Work with practically any style

On this evaluation to this point, negatives have been added with a caveat, that sure issues may need been omitted within the identify of a laser deal with audio high quality. The burning query is then: has that gamble paid off?

The reply actually is determined by how a lot you worth audio high quality. True wi-fi earbuds, although a lot improved from earlier years, nonetheless signify a step down in sound high quality from what the perfect over-ear headphones or wired choices can provide.

Comfort, helpful options and the demise of the headphone jack in practically 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 obtainable. 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 deal with. To start, they provide an immersive soundstage with good general separation, giving an incredible spatial presence to music performed. With the best recording the element that may be achieved is outstanding. 

This lends itself properly to classical specifically, although every other style with busy picks of devices or parts additionally works properly. Vocals sound heat and have a pleasant sparkle. Bass is equally optimistic, having chunk and assault that lends a sense of enjoyable to occasion 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 notably 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 favor 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.

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Sustainability

Trusted Critiques’ holds the truth that international warming shouldn’t be a fantasy as a core worth and can constantly endeavour to assist defend our planet from hurt in its enterprise practices.

As a part of this mission, each time we evaluation a product we ship the corporate a sequence of questions to assist us gauge and make clear the impression the system has on the surroundings.

We presently haven’t acquired solutions to the questions on this product, however will replace this web page the second we do. You possibly can see an in depth breakdown of the questions we ask and why in our sustainability information web page.