JBL Live Beam 4 vs Noble Audio FoKus Rex5: which should you buy?

Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the JBL Live Beam 4 vs Noble Audio FoKus Rex5, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.

True Wireless

JBL Live Beam 4

85Outstanding

$240

Full review data

True Wireless

Noble Audio FoKus Rex5

Not yet scored

$450

Full review data

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

JBL Live Beam 4 leads on 7 of 7 measures.

JBL Live Beam 4
Noble Audio FoKus Rex5

HearWiki score

Sound

9.2

Noise cancelling

7.8

Battery

9.0

Calls

6.8

Value

8.2

Price (USD)

$240

$450

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

New platform

Both shipped in 2024. The JBL Live Beam 4 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 6.0 against 5.4 and ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid.

Live Beam 42024
FoKus Rex52024

What differsLive Beam 4FoKus Rex5

Bluetooth: 6.0; 5.4
ANC type: Adaptive; Hybrid

Level on: Multipoint pairing, Wireless charging, USB-C, Transparency mode, Custom EQ, Companion app.

Specifications

Live Beam 4FoKus Rex5

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $240; $450
HearWiki score: 85; Not scored
Released: 2024; 2024
Availability: Still sold new; Discontinued
Driver: 10 mm dynamic; 5-driver hybrid
Driver type: dynamic; hybrid
Driver size: 10 mm; 10 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 5
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 40 kHz; 20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance: 16 Ω; -
Sensitivity: 98 dB/mW; -
Bluetooth: 6.0; 5.4
Codecs: -; aptX Adaptive, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Battery life: 12 h; 7 h
Battery life (ANC on): 10 h; 5 h
Battery incl. case: -; 25 h
Full charge time: 120 min; 90 min
Quick charge: 10 min → 4 h; 15 min → 2 h
Wireless charging: Yes; Yes
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: adaptive; hybrid
Transparency mode: Yes; Yes
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: Yes; Yes
Wear detection: -; Yes
Controls: touch; touch
Voice assistant: Yes; -
Weight: 9.7 g; 9.6 g
Case weight: 73 g; -
Water resistance: IP55; -
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Microphones: 6; -
Microphone type: beamforming; -
Call noise reduction: Yes; -

Specification comparison of JBL Live Beam 4 vs Noble Audio FoKus Rex5
Spec	JBL Live Beam 4	Noble Audio FoKus Rex5
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$240	$450
HearWiki score	85 / 100 Outstanding	Not scored
Released	2024	2024
Audio
Driver	10 mm dynamic	5-driver hybrid
Driver type	dynamic	hybrid
Driver size	10 mm	10 mm
Drivers per side	1	5
Frequency response	20 Hz - 40 kHz	20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance	16 Ω	-
Sensitivity	98 dB/mW	-
Wireless
Bluetooth	6.0	5.4
Codecs	-	aptX Adaptive, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Battery
Battery life	12 h	7 h
Battery life (ANC on)	10 h	5 h
Battery incl. case	-	25 h
Full charge time	120 min	90 min
Quick charge	10 min → 4 h	15 min → 2 h
Wireless charging	Yes	Yes
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	adaptive	hybrid
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	Yes	Yes
Wear detection	-	Yes
Controls	touch	touch
Voice assistant	Yes	-
Design
Weight	9.7 g	9.6 g
Case weight	73 g	-
Water resistance	IP55	-
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Calls
Microphones	6	-
Microphone type	beamforming	-
Call noise reduction	Yes	-

What reviewers said

JBL Live Beam 4

The JBL Live Beam 4 are feature-packed wireless earbuds that deliver lively, well-balanced sound and a snug, secure fit, all wrapped up in a distinctive charging case with a built-in touchscreen for quick control. While they boast long battery life, adaptive noise cancellation, and multipoint connectivity, their call clarity and noise suppression aren't class-leading, and the spatial audio implementation falls short of expectations. Still, for the price, they offer a compelling mix of versatility and performance for everyday listening.

Pro:Excellent sound quality with punchy bass and clear highs
Pro:Comfortable, secure fit for extended wear
Pro:Innovative touchscreen case adds convenient control

Con:Call quality is mediocre in noisy environments
Con:Adaptive noise cancellation is not the strongest in its class
Con:Spatial audio mode sounds artificial and lessens immersion

Noble Audio FoKus Rex5

The Noble FoKus Rex5 are premium true wireless earbuds with a sophisticated five-driver hybrid setup, blending a 10mm dynamic, 6mm planar, and three balanced armatures for detailed, high-resolution sound. They support aptX Adaptive and LDAC codecs, plus hybrid ANC and transparency mode, with a comfortable 9.6g per bud design and a total of 25 hours of playback with the charging case. The earbuds also feature Bluetooth 5.4, multipoint connectivity, wireless charging, and a companion app with a custom EQ for personalized tuning.

Pro:Rich, detailed sound from a five-driver hybrid array
Pro:Supports high-quality aptX Adaptive and LDAC codecs
Pro:Hybrid ANC and transparency mode for versatile listening

Con:Battery life drops to 5 hours with ANC enabled
Con:Pricey at around $449
Con:No mention of water resistance rating in specs

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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