Noble's Fokus Rex5 wireless earbuds are the first to use 5 drivers (2024)

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BySimon Cohen

Noble's Fokus Rex5 wireless earbuds are the first to use 5 drivers (1)

Using multiple drivers in a set of wired in-ear monitors is now standard practice, but the technique is relatively new to the wireless earbuds world. And for the first time — that we know of — Noble Audio has installed five drivers into each earbud in its new Fokus Rex5. You can preorder them today for $449, and they’ll begin shipping on November 29.

We’ve seen wireless earbuds use up to three drivers before — Noble’s own Fokus Prestige uses an 8.2mm dynamic driver combine with two balanced armature (BA) drivers. However, the Rex5 goes substantially further, with one 10mm dynamic, one 6mm planar, and three BA drivers.

Noble's Fokus Rex5 wireless earbuds are the first to use 5 drivers (2)

Noble says the combination creates “an impressive soundstage that effortlessly delivers rich, full bass, detailed mid-tones, and crystal-clear highs across an extended frequency range of 20Hz to 40kHz.”

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To help folks get the most from these five drivers, the Fokus Rex5 works with Audiodo’s personalization software. Using the Noble app, you can create a custom EQ setting based on your hearing, which is then uploaded to and stored in the earbuds. Active noise cancellation and transparency modes are also available.

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From a connectivity point of view, the Rex5 use Bluetooth 5.4 with Multipoint, and they’re equipped with both aptX Adaptive and LDAC hi-res codecs (an unusual combo), in addition to AAC and SBC.

Noble claims battery life is an expected 5 hours per charge with ANC on and 7 hours when it’s off. The charging case holds an extra 40 hours of playtime, and a quick charge of 15 minutes should give you an additional 2 hours of life per bud.

Noble is no stranger to creating audio products with novel driver arrangements. Its recently released Fokus Apollo wireless headphones were the first to combine dynamic and planar drivers.

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Noble's Fokus Rex5 wireless earbuds are the first to use 5 drivers (3)

Simon Cohen

Contributing Editor, A/V

Simon Cohen is a contributing editor to Digital Trends' Audio/Video section, where he obsesses over the latest wireless…

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Noble's Fokus Rex5 wireless earbuds are the first to use 5 drivers (4)

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The price is obviously a big deal. Sony has never offered wireless earbuds at less than $100 until now. However, Sony says it has also managed to make several improvements to performance and features.

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Noble's Fokus Rex5 wireless earbuds are the first to use 5 drivers (5)

JBL's new Tour Pro 3 wireless earbuds should really be called the JBL Tour de Force. The company's second-gen Tour Pro were already the most feature-studded earbuds we've ever seen, complete with a touchscreen on the charging case, and yet the Tour Pro 3 go further. Much further. The price has gone up too -- they'll cost $300 when they become available for purchase on September 22.

At a glance, the third-gen looks the same as before, whether you get them in black or "latte." Physically, the shape of the earbuds is unchanged. However, the case is a little smaller, while offering a 30% larger screen. It can also act as a retransmitter of both analog and digital audio when you use the included cables to plug it into computers, smartphones, or in-flight seat-back entertainment systems.

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Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) has completely revamped its wireless earbuds with a new shape for greater comfort, hi-res and lossless audio, better single-charge battery life, and the ability to connect to two devices simultaneously. Its new flagship, the Pi8, is available starting August 21 for $399, while the midrange Pi6 will follow in early September for $249. Both will be available in a choice of four colors.

The Bowers & Wilkins Pi6.\ Bowers & Wilkins

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Noble's Fokus Rex5 wireless earbuds are the first to use 5 drivers (2024)

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