“Audiophile” and “Bluetooth” rarely intersect when it comes to headphones, but there are actually quite a few overlapping options. Coming from two well-known brands, Noble audio and Focal have produced studio-quality headphones that aim to please the most demanding listeners. He FoKus Apollo and the batis they fall at the same price of $650-700. How do they compare to each other? Today we take a look and find out.
What comes in the box
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Noble Audio FoKus Apolo – $649 |
Focal batis – $699 |
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Aesthetics and Functionality
Each earbud has a classic design that is visually stunning. The Apollo has a soft, sleek gray face on the sides and a padded headband and ear pads. The Noble Audio logo can be clearly seen on the sides and there are control buttons along the edge of the headset. Wearing them was very comfortable, although I found that they sat further back on my head. If I lay down, I knew I would risk them falling off. Meanwhile, the Bathys go for a more ergonomic shape, curving according to the shape of the head and ear for a comfortable fit. These stayed securely on my head throughout the entire listen without fear of them falling out.
Both headphones are also relatively easy to use. By holding down the center power button on the Apollo and switching the power to the “ON” position on the Bathys, I was able to pair both earbuds to my device seamlessly and without issue. I liked that Apollo has the app that you can use to customize the equalizer and noise cancellation features. The Bathys falls short in that customization department.
Technical specifications
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Noble Audio FoKus Apolo – $649 |
Focal batis – $699 |
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If you look at the technology behind these headphones, you will see many differences. The Apollo impresses with dual-driver technology and 60 hours of uninterrupted battery life, with ANC on. The Bathys share the same 40mm dynamic driver, but only have 30 hours of playback on a full charge. The Apollo's updated Bluetooth version and the addition of a detachable microphone make it appear to outshine its competitor.
Hearing check
Soundstage and ANC
Each earbud has a fairly wide soundstage. The Bathys' soundstage immediately feels wider and more immersive than the Apollo's. There is a lot of clarity and detail in these headphones, especially the Bathys. While clarity comes through on the Apollo, there was a touch of distortion when certain higher frequencies were reached. Over time, I noticed this distortion decrease and realized that the headphones needed to be conditioned a bit before reaching their full potential. This fact makes me more attracted to the Bathys, as they were ready to be used to their full potential almost immediately.
Active noise cancellation (ANC) is a feature that is also featured on both earbuds. Its supra-aural design allows for natural sound isolation, but also ensures that you are completely immersed in your listening. Between the two, I felt like the Apollo did a better job of canceling noise, probably due to the completely enclosed design. The Bathys had good noise cancellation, but it was more effective on the Apollo.
Low frequencies
The low end is easily one of the most impressive things about these two headphones. With 40mm dynamic drivers in each, the Apollo and Bathys pack a punch with every bass hit. It's warm and fundamental, providing a solid foundation for every instrument and frequency above it. I liked the bass power of the Apollo more than the Bathys, as the Bathys' sound signature leaned toward the brighter side. The level of detail in each earpiece was very clear and did not become confusing with the addition of more instruments.
Midrange frequencies
The midrange is exceptionally clear on both headphones. The mid-bass is the highlight of both of these headphones, offering a great transition from some very deep and punchy bass to some brighter and more colorful tones. I liked the detail given about the Bathys and how the vocals shine and stand out a little more. It gives the headphones a more dynamic and entertaining quality. The Apollo is still incredibly dynamic, although the instruments' artificial, synthetic sound reproduction means it falls short of the Bathys' audio.
High frequencies
When it comes to the high-end, there are some notable differences between the two headphones. Thanks to the Apollo's flat driver, there is a certain brightness that is accentuated when listening. To me, it sounds a bit synthetic, almost like you can tell it didn't come naturally. You may hear how some high-pitched synths or guitar harmonics sound a little off-kilter. On the contrary, Bathys do not have this problem. The treble is clear and bright, and has an excellent balance with the powerful bass. While both headphones performed relatively similarly for the other frequency ranges, in this one they are markedly different.
Summary
In conclusion, here are two excellent pairs of Bluetooth headphones. The FoKus Apollo gives you an exciting technological upgrade, followed by excellent bass and the ability to customize your listening experience. Bathys focus on precise and accurate studio-quality sound, all without compromising comfort. With only $50 between them, neither would be a bad choice for someone looking to purchase audiophile Bluetooth headphones. Personally, I think the Bathys suit my preferences more, but I can certainly see the Apollo fitting someone else's requirements.
He Apollo and the batis Both are available for purchase at Audio46.
