Noble Fokus REX 5

I'd also add a neutral component which is battery life. Short 5 hour plus for earbuds is below the class average, but counters with a case that adds more endurance than I've seen almost ever.

True wireless IEMs were relegated to the plebian side of the audiophilia realm six or seven years ago. Yes, it was a multi-billion dollar market even then, but your average audiophile wanted nothing to do with them other than instances of convenience. Following the massive leap in wireless technology and subsequent possibilities in sonic improvements, many audiophile brands have joined the fray since, even high-end boutique ones. Hifiman had decent success with their Svanar lineup of TWS; Final came up with their Z series of true wireless buds. But none quite nabbed the upper echelon of the high-end, enthusiast-grade TWS market like Noble Audio. Following the release of Falcon and Fokus Pro in 2020 and 2022, respectively, Noble Audio has since established itself as a force to be reckoned with in the True wireless realm.



Fokus REX5 is the current semi-flagship in Noble’s TWS lineup, positioned right below the Fokus Mystique Pro. This five-driver juggernaut is easily the best-sounding TWS under $500. It is tuned so well that I would probably choose it over most wired IEMs under $500. Let’s dive into the detailed review.

Disclaimer: I am an audiophile and a reviewer who works with Mr. @Sajid Amit of Amplify Audio Reviews. Amplify generally covers high-end IEMs, Accessories, DAC Amps, and Headphones, with occasional reviews of some budget products. Check out our video reviews at https://www.youtube.com/@amplifyaudioreviews.

Unboxing, Build Quality, Comfort





Unboxing the REX5 is a fairly standard affair. Opening the relatively compact outer packaging reveals the charging case and the earbuds encased in a foam insert. Aside from that, Noble provides a standard set of accessories, which includes a charging cable and three sets of ear tips. The stock ear tips already installed were perfect for my ears; therefore, I did not tinker with the other sizes and variants. The green charging case has an aluminum exterior that feels nimble yet super sturdy. I was amazed at how lightweight yet robust the charging case felt while handling it. The earbuds look and feel more like traditional high-end wired IEMs. They are constructed with a mix of resin and aluminum and look striking in photos and in person. Noble always hits the nail on the head regarding aesthetics, and the REX5 is no exception. It is, without a doubt, the prettiest example of a TWS I have come across. One nice detail is the noble logo inscribed on the nozzle grills, which is quite thoughtful, in my opinion.



The REX5 is the most comfortable TWS I have experienced. It fits like a glove, does not irritate my ears, and stays secure for hours. It is a perfect marriage of form and function that even established mainstream brands struggle to achieve in the TWS space.

Features, Connectivity, and battery life

REX5 is a five-driver hybrid featuring a 10MM dynamic driver, three balanced armature drivers, and a planar driver. The outer packaging of the REX5 has the word “Wizard” printed on it, indicating the direct involvement of Noble frontman John Moulton in the tuning process. It uses the latest version of Bluetooth (5.4) and supports Qualcomm’s aptX adaptive and Sony’s LDAC codec. Noble also collaborated with Sweden’s Audiodo to implement a personal EQ setting based on individual hearing capabilities in the Noble Fokus app. Speaking of the app, it has a good UI and is very easy and intuitive to use. Besides Audiodo’s personalized EQ feature, the Fokus app allows extensive equalization to tweak the sound to your liking. I was already quite satisfied with the stock sound; therefore, I did not mess much with the parametric EQ settings. However, the Individual hearing-based personalized EQ option is a welcome addition, especially for audiophiles with hearing loss at particular frequencies.



Connectivity is top-notch. I paired the REX5 with a bunch of devices, including smartphones and PCs, and I never once experienced any connection drop or interference. The touch controls work well, and the battery life is quite decent, too. I am getting around 5-6 hours while using LDAC with no ANC and 6-7 hours with SBC/AAC. I generally do not care about ANC and ambient mode, but the ANC here is actually surprisingly good. The transparency mode is fairly decent, as well. It's not as good as Apple or Sony alternatives, but more than serviceable for an audio-first TWS. The RX5 also supports multipoint connections and transitions seamlessly between connected devices.

Sound

The REX5 surprised me with a very realistic and engaging sound right out of the box. Given my experience with high-end Noble flagships, I expected something spicy and energetic, but the REX5 has a significantly more restrained and coherent sound. The REX5 is a warm-neutral, non-fatiguing, and natural-sounding set that works equally well with every genre I throw at it. It kind of reminded me of the Focal Clear OG in that regard. The Clear OG is a do-it-all high-end headphones without apparent flaws on the proper chain. The REX5 sounds exactly like that to my ears. It is the type of sound that is easy to love and impossible to hate.

The REX 5 produces a very deep sub-bass with a pronounced rumble, and the mid-bass punch is impressive as well. The decay of the bass is on the slower side, giving the entire bass region a thumpy and bouncy quality that I really enjoy. Kick drums sound thick and visceral, just as they should in real life. The bass quality is exceptional and even surpasses that of the Sony WF1000XM5, which is known for its strong bass performance. The midrange performance is outstanding and exhibits no noticeable weaknesses. Although it is slightly recessed in the default tuning, voices and midrange instruments are presented sharply and clearly, with just the right amount of excitement. It’s nearly impossible to ruin the REX5’s midrange, regardless of how extensively you apply equalization. Both male and female vocals sound fantastic, and I have never encountered any issues with shout or unevenness in the midrange.



The treble is very smooth with a somewhat restrained pinna gain. It is well extended and still provides ample clarity, and the treble's highly sibilance-free nature makes the REX5 a very easy listen for extended periods. Compared to mainstream competitors, I find the treble refinement on the REX5 to be on a whole league altogether.

The detail retrieval of the REX5 ) is exceptional, particularly when using the LDAC codec. The imaging is outstanding, rivaling wired earphones that cost significantly more in terms of precision and accuracy. The soundstage strikes a pleasant balance between intimacy and openness, with the REX5 capable of delivering a wide sound experience depending on the track. In addition to music, the REX5 is a delight for watching movies and casual gaming, as its sound signature performs excellently for all types of media consumption. Overall, the REX5 truly stands out as a versatile option in the TWS market.

Comparisons

Sony WF1000XM5: The XM5 offers improved active noise cancellation performance and longer battery life. However, it feels noticeably cheaper in terms of build quality. While I generally appreciate Sony's sound signature, the XM5 has a lower treble spike that creates an illusion of more detail, which I don't particularly enjoy. On the other hand, the REX5 is more resolving, easier to listen to, and significantly more comfortable to wear.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: The Buds 3 Pro is an impressive TWS option for its price, despite its questionable design changes from the Buds 2 Pro. The REX5 offers a more natural sound in both the bass and midrange frequencies. In comparison, the Buds 3 Pro can sound somewhat plasticky and mediocre. Additionally, the battery life of the Buds 3 Pro is not particularly strong. When it comes to active noise cancellation performance, both the REX5 and Buds 3 Pro are quite similar.

Apple AirPods Pro 2: The AirPods Pro 2 are sonically inferior to the REX5 and significantly so. However, its main appeal lies in the seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem, which offers a significant level of convenience. The REX5 has excellent microphone quality, so you won't be missing much in that aspect. Additionally, you can use an external device like the FiiO BT11 or a similar product to take advantage of the advanced codecs available in the REX5 with your Apple devices.