Noble Audio FoKus Rex 5 Review – Aberration

Comparisons –

Campfire Audio Orbit ($199): The Orbit offers a hugely V-shaped tuning with a big, full and warm bass, a very laid-back midrange and emphasized lower treble. It has relatively good extension for a TWS earphone, and the standout is the excellent comfort and isolation. The Orbit has notably more bass power and control over the Rex5, but its big mid-bass tuning means the Noble comes across as a lot more separated and defined. In terms of raw driver quality, the Orbit has a slightly punchier bass response albeit with a less desirable tuning as far as versatility is concerned.

When it comes to the midrange, this is where the Rex5 pulls ahead as it is far more balanced, separated and detailed. The Orbit is warm, rich, smooth and overall, very forgiving. Mids are thick and smooth but also lacking in texture and detail, something that Rex5 excels at. Really, the two are so starkly different it is difficult to compare them, it would be a strong matter of preference.

Treble is crisp and impressively open on the Orbit despite the thickness of the sound below. The Rex5 however, takes this to the next level with notably better separation, extension and precision. It has a sharper, more defined note attack and background details are far more apparent. This yields huge benefits in the imaging department where the Rex5 is bigger and more three-dimensional in all regards.

Master & Dynamic MW08 ($349): The MW08 is an enthusiast TWS earphone sporting a similar feature set and premium metal build. Sonically, the MW08 is warmer and more laid-back with a bass-biased V-shaped tuning. The Rex5 comes across as more balanced and nuanced. The MW08 has more mid-bass thump and fullness responsible for its warmer, fuller sound. The Rex5 has a cleaner and more dynamic tuning but lacks the same body in return.

Where the MW08 is rich, textured but also somewhat tubby, the Rex5 is more defined and tighter albeit not quite as forgiving. The midrange is more desirable on the Rex5 due to its more balanced presence and superior technical performance. The MW08 is more laid-back, lacking the same clarity. It is articulate but notably fuller and warmer. At the same time, this also means it lacks separation by comparison, the Rex5 sounds more natural to my ears.

Both earphones have a bump in the treble for energy. The Rex5 however, is notably more defined with superior detail retrieval and much better extension. The MW08 is crisp but doesn’t have the same fine detail and nuance at the very top. The MW08 is quite wide but overall the Rex5 has much better imaging and layering.

Sony WF-1000XM5 ($299): Ironically in a comparison filled with enthusiast brands, the Sony is likely the Rex’s fiercest competition sonically and otherwise. It has better ANC and is a bit more comfortable due to its smaller shells and shorter nozzles. The Rex5 has undoubtedly better build quality and better passive noise isolation. The Sony is pleasantly balanced and offers a similar tuning to the Rex but with less contrast. It’s a bit warmer, a bit smoother and a bit more coherent as a result. The Rex is more vibrant, engaging and brings nuances more to the fore. It is a more aggressive sound in totality.

Bass is a touch more present on the Sony but not by much. The tuning is quite similar with the Sony being a touch warmer in the mid-bass. I feel this gives it a bit more texture and balanced subjectively. The Rex5 is more dynamic, it has better impact, slam and rumble. It also has higher driver quality with notably better definition. Above, the midrange is quite similar. The Rex5 brings vocals more to the fore with a bit more centre-midrange presence and it is slightly more articulate too. In turn, the Rex5 has higher definition, clarity and better tonal transparency. The Sony is balanced, a bit more coherent and a bit smoother.

It feels a touch more balanced but also smooths over fine details notably more. The Rex5 is more revealing, but it is also quite a bit more resolving. Treble tells a similar story, the Sony has a bit of lower-treble crispness and has a bit more texture but once again, the Rex5 is a touch brighter, more vibrant and a lot more defined. The Sony rolls off a lot sooner whereas the Rex5 extends further, delivering more fine detail and soundstage nuance. This is where the Rex5 most differentiates itself for the Sony creates a simple stereo width-based stage, the Rex5 has more depth, layering and more accurate positioning.

Verdict –

There have been many attempts at translating audiophile-targeted acoustic design to a convenient true wireless chassis. Few have succeeded. In my experience, either the sound quality suffers or the ergonomics and usability of the product are left to be desired. Until now my Sony’s have served as my daily driver with excellent fit, ANC and software with sound quality that is always good enough if never truly inspiring. Though I have found a few that outdo them in the sound domain, the ergonomic and convenience drawbacks usually make them painful to actually live with day to day.

This is where the Rex5 succeeds – it isn’t just about the sound quality but the whole package. Sure, you do pay a premium for cutting-edge technology and features, but Noble delivers in all regards. The ergonomics are terrific, stable, comfortable and isolating. The ANC is surprisingly effective, and aware mode is present if not ideal in its execution. The sound quality is truly superb, with an appealing tuning augmented by a complex, immersive soundstage. I laud Noble for creating not only a highly impressive product but also a polished one that is a pleasure to use as much as it is a pleasure to listen to.

The FoKus Rex5 is available from Noble Audio (International) for $449 USD at the time of writing. I am not affiliated with Noble or KS Distribution and receive no earnings from purchases made through these links.

Track List – 

Billie Eilish – dont smile at me

Bob Seger – Night Moves

Courtney Barnett – Rae Street

Cream – Wheels of Fire

Dire Straits – Communique

Dirty Loops – Next To You

Eagles – Hotel California

Elton John – Honky Chateau

Fleetwood Mac – Rumours

H.E.R – I Used To Know Her

Jasen – BYE

John Mayer – Continuum

Kanye West – Ye

Missy Higgins – The Sound of White

Radiohead – OK Computer

TALA – ain’t leavin` without you

The Beatles – Abbey Road

The weeknd – After Hours

Vampire Weekend – Father of the Bride