I approached the Noble FoKus Artemis differently from most professional reviewers. I do not have a collection of similarly priced wireless headphones or measuring equipment. I evaluated the Artemis using familiar music, my own equipment and several connection methods.
For testing, I used an iPhone 15 Pro Max and Lenovo Legion Pro 7 16IAX10H, primarily with Foobar2000. I listened over Bluetooth, USB-C and 3.5 mm analog, and through an iFi iDSD GR 2 DAC/headphone amplifier. I also tested the Artemis passively through the iFi with the headphones powered off.
My listening material consisted primarily of high-resolution digital files created from premium audiophile releases, including SACD and vinyl editions from MFSL and other labels. These included FLAC, WAV, DSD64 (2.8 MHz), DSD128 (5.6 MHz) and DSD256 (11.2 MHz), covering rock, progressive rock, alternative and electronic music.
Presentation, Fit and Finish
The Artemis arrives in an attractive magnetic cardboard box that opens from the center like the doors of an armoire. The carrying case is excellent, with a dedicated cable compartment behind a small magnetic door.
The ornate etching on the earcups is distinctive, while the stainless-steel yokes disappear cleanly into the headband and give the headphones a refined appearance. I have no complaints about the design, materials, fit or finish.
I had read criticism that the earcups were too small. In my case, they are just large enough to completely surround my ears, although someone with larger ears could find the fit restrictive.
Sound
The Artemis sounds very good to me, with a full-bodied presentation, substantial bass and weight. More significant is how consistent that sound remains across different connections.
Using familiar recordings, I expected differences between Bluetooth, USB-C and analog playback to become apparent fairly quickly. They did not.
I listened wirelessly from both the Legion and iPhone, directly over USB-C, by 3.5 mm analog, and passively through the iFi. These signal paths are not technically identical, but I did not hear a dramatic change in the fundamental character of the Artemis between wired and wireless playback.
For a headphone designed predominantly for wireless use, I consider that one of its strongest attributes. I never felt that I needed a cable to obtain the sound quality I had paid for.
Passive Wired Listening and Volume
The Artemis can operate as a completely passive wired headphone. With the analog cable connected, it does not need to be powered on. A depleted battery therefore does not prevent you from listening, although powered features such as ANC are unavailable.
I also read criticism that the Artemis does not play loudly enough. That has not been my experience. Wireless volume, including from my iPhone, is perfectly adequate.
Through the iFi iDSD GR 2, considerably more volume is available than I would ever need. The Artemis does not require an external amplifier, but this demonstrates why I would not characterize the headphone itself as having an output problem.
ANC
The Artemis’s ANC has received some lukewarm reviews. I think the criticism is somewhat misplaced. The ANC is perfectly adequate.
It will not completely suppress a nearby television. My Apple AirPods Pro 3 are more effective, although an in-ear product and an over-ear headphone are not directly comparable.
The Artemis does not appear to have been designed primarily around ANC performance. If maximum noise cancellation is your principal concern, this is probably not the ideal headphone. Noble appears to have prioritized sound quality while providing competent ANC.
App and Bluetooth
The Noble FoKus app has attracted criticism. My assessment is simpler: it is fine. It provides the functionality I need and has not detracted from using the headphones.
One specification deserves clarification. The Artemis uses Qualcomm’s QCC3095 chipset, which supports Bluetooth 5.4, yet I continue to see the Artemis described as Bluetooth 6.0. Perhaps there is an explanation involving Noble’s implementation, but I have not seen one. It has caused no practical problem, although specifications on a premium product should be accurate.
As a side note for Apple users, Noble’s Sceptre transmitter provides LDAC and aptX Adaptive, but not aptX Lossless, which the Artemis supports.
Conclusion
The Artemis combines excellent presentation and construction with passive wired operation, competent ANC, ample volume and very good sound.
What stands out most is its consistency across different sources and connections. Bluetooth did not leave me feeling that I was accepting an obvious sonic compromise for the convenience of wireless playback.
The FoKus Artemis is expensive, but its materials, construction, versatility and listening experience are consistent with what I would expect from a premium headphone.
