Few headphone makers straddle the worlds of pro audio and luxury lifestyle quite like Noble Audio. Known for its bespoke in‑ear monitors, the company has turned its attention to the over‑ear market with the new FoKus Artemis, a hybrid wireless headphone that aims to marry uncompromising sound quality with everyday convenience.
Each earcup contains three different transducers— a dynamic driver for deep bass, a balanced‑armature unit for midrange clarity and a planar‑magnetic driver for airy treble— all tuned to work in concert. The electronics are anchored by Qualcomm’s flagship QCC3095 chip, which supports Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Adaptive and multipoint connectivity, while a Class A amplifier stage and high‑resolution DAC handle wired duties via 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm inputs.
The feature list reads like a wish list for audiophiles who don’t want to be tied down. Six beam‑forming microphones enable adaptive active noise cancellation and a natural transparency mode, and the included mobile app allows EQ and crossover adjustments. A user‑replaceable 600 mAh battery supplies up to 50 hours of playback— or 35 hours with ANC engaged— and charges via USB‑C in about two hours. The headphone weighs under 350 g thanks to lightweight aluminum yokes and cushioned ear pads, and the IP52 rating offers protection against sweat and dust. Noble even includes both leather and fabric ear pads, acknowledging that some listeners prefer a different acoustic signature for different genres.
With a price of $899, the FoKus Artemis sits firmly in the premium segment, yet it still undercuts some competitors and offers flexibility rarely seen in wireless designs. It’s clear that Noble Audio sees the Artemis as a statement piece— a wireless headphone that can also serve as a portable hi‑fi system when paired with an external DAC. Earlier this year, the audio world celebrated heritage with the Klipschorn’s 80th Anniversary reissue, showing that vintage design still has a place in modern listening rooms.
The FoKus Artemis, by contrast, looks forward, blending cutting‑edge components with a replaceable battery and user‑tunable sound. For discerning listeners who split their time between home and travel, it represents a compelling new benchmark.
