Danny Weber
Noble Audio's FoKus Artemis combines dynamic, planar, and balanced armature drivers in premium wireless headphones. With ANC, replaceable battery, and Audiodo tuning, it offers audiophile sound. Pre-order at $899.
Noble Audio has unveiled the FoKus Artemis, a new pair of full-size wireless headphones that push the brand's hybrid driver concept even further. The earlier FoKus Apollo combined dynamic and planar-magnetic drivers, but the Artemis adds a balanced armature driver into the mix. That makes these headphones one of the most unusual Bluetooth models in the premium segment.
Each driver type handles a specific part of the sound. The dynamic driver handles the main workload and bass, the planar-magnetic driver is meant to add openness and detail to the soundstage, and the balanced armature driver improves overall clarity and precision. This approach is logical for Noble Audio, a brand long known for audiophile in-ear monitors that has been increasingly focusing on full-size models in recent years.
In terms of features, the FoKus Artemis looks like a fully modern flagship headphone. It includes active noise cancellation, a transparency mode, multipoint connection, USB audio support, and automatic wear detection. For personalized tuning, Audiodo technology adapts the sound to the user's individual hearing.
Battery life is rated at over 35 hours with ANC on and over 50 hours without it. Noble Audio emphasizes that the 600 mAh battery is user-replaceable, and the ear cushions are also replaceable. That should extend the headphones' lifespan and make them more repairable than most competitors.
Pricing matches the premium positioning: $899. Preorders are open on the company's website, and shipments are expected to start in July. For the mass market, this is a pricey product, but for fans of unusual acoustic designs and durable headphones, the Artemis could be one of the year's most interesting new releases.
© Noble Audio