Noble Audio Fokus Apollo vs Sony WH-1000XM6: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Sony WH-1000XM6 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 89. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Sony WH-1000XM6 - Outstanding overall at around $398.

Over-Ear

Noble Audio Fokus Apollo

80Outstanding

$700

Full review data

Over-Ear

Score breakdown

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

Sony WH-1000XM6 leads on 5 of 7 measures.

Noble Audio Fokus Apollo
Sony WH-1000XM6

HearWiki score

Sound

9.3

9.0

Noise cancelling

7.4

9.6

Battery

9.6

8.1

Calls

7.0

9.6

Value

6.8

8.2

Price (USD)

$700

$400

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

Sony WH-1000XM6 (2025) against Noble Audio Fokus Apollo (2024). The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the newer platform here: LE Audio (LC3) and ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid. It also adds Wear detection.

Fokus Apollo2024
WH-1000XM620251 yr newer

What differsFokus ApolloWH-1000XM6

LE Audio (LC3): No; Yes
ANC type: Hybrid; Adaptive
Wear detection: No; Yes

Level on: Bluetooth, Top codec, Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Transparency mode, Companion app.

Specifications

Fokus ApolloWH-1000XM6

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $700; $400
HearWiki score: 80; 89
Released: 2024; 2025
Availability: Still sold new; Sold new
Driver: 2-driver hybrid; 30 mm dynamic
Driver type: hybrid; dynamic
Driver size: 40 mm; 30 mm
Drivers per side: 2; 1
Frequency response: 10 Hz - 40 kHz; 4 Hz - 40 kHz
Sound signature: neutral; -
Impedance: 32 Ω; 48 Ω
Sensitivity: -; 103 dB/mW
Bluetooth: 5.3; 5.3
Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC; SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Wireless range: -; 10 m
Battery life: 80 h; 40 h
Battery life (ANC on): 60 h; 30 h
Full charge time: 150 min; 210 min
Quick charge: -; 3 min → 3 h
Wireless charging: No; No
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: hybrid; adaptive
Transparency mode: Yes; Yes
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: -; Yes
Wear detection: No; Yes
Controls: buttons; buttons
Voice assistant: -; Yes
Weight: 338 g; 254 g
Water resistance: none; none
Detachable cable: -; Yes
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Connector: -; 3.5 mm
Microphones: 6; 12
Microphone type: -; MEMS

Specification comparison of Noble Audio Fokus Apollo vs Sony WH-1000XM6
Spec	Noble Audio Fokus Apollo	Sony WH-1000XM6
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$700	$400
HearWiki score	80 / 100 Outstanding	89 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2024	2025
Audio
Driver	2-driver hybrid	30 mm dynamic
Driver type	hybrid	dynamic
Driver size	40 mm	30 mm
Drivers per side	2	1
Frequency response	10 Hz - 40 kHz	4 Hz - 40 kHz
Sound signature	neutral	-
Impedance	32 Ω	48 Ω
Sensitivity	-	103 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.3	5.3
Codecs	SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC	SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Wireless range	-	10 m
Battery
Battery life	80 h	40 h
Battery life (ANC on)	60 h	30 h
Full charge time	150 min	210 min
Quick charge	-	3 min → 3 h
Wireless charging	No	No
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	hybrid	adaptive
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	-	Yes
Wear detection	No	Yes
Controls	buttons	buttons
Voice assistant	-	Yes
Design
Weight	338 g	254 g
Water resistance	none	none
Detachable cable	-	Yes
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Connector	-	3.5 mm
Calls
Microphones	6	12
Microphone type	-	MEMS

What reviewers said

Noble Audio Fokus Apollo

The Noble Audio Fokus Apollo is a premium wireless over-ear headphone that combines a hybrid dual-driver setup with hybrid active noise cancellation for a versatile listening experience. It offers exceptional battery life, support for high-resolution codecs like LDAC, and a robust build, making it a strong candidate for travel and daily use. While its sound is coherent and technically capable, some users may need to adjust EQ for extra brightness and get used to the control scheme.

Pro:Hybrid dual-driver design delivers detailed and coherent sound
Pro:Effective hybrid ANC for quiet environments
Pro:Supports LDAC and aptX HD for high-quality wireless audio

Con:Controls have a learning curve
Con:Bass can become boomy with ANC enabled
Con:May require EQ adjustments for added sparkle

Sony WH-1000XM6

The Sony WH-1000XM6 is a premium over-ear wireless headphone that combines adaptive active noise cancellation with a long-lasting battery and support for high-quality audio codecs. It features multipoint Bluetooth connectivity and a transparent mode, making it a versatile choice for both focused listening and everyday commutes. With a lightweight build and tactile controls, it balances comfort and functionality for extended use.

Pro:Adaptive active noise cancellation for personalized silencing
Pro:Multipoint Bluetooth 5.3 for seamless device switching
Pro:Transparency mode for ambient awareness when needed

Con:No water resistance rating for wet conditions
Con:No wireless charging option
Con:Relies on physical buttons rather than touch controls

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

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