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In a limited sense: Noble Audio’s FoKus Artemis headphones use an app-based hearing test to create a personalized EQ profile, which can change how music sounds to someone with different hearing in each ear. Tom’s Guide reviewer Peter Wolinski said his profile made treble brighter and the sound feel more spacious. That is a reviewer’s subjective listening impression—not evidence that Artemis diagnoses or treats hearing loss, or that it is a hearing aid.
What Artemis does—and what “compensate” means here
The FoKus Artemis is a premium over-ear headphone with active noise cancellation. Its companion app presents tones across the frequency range, tests each ear separately, then creates a custom EQ profile. The review also reports a standard 10-band EQ and presets. In practical terms, the personalized profile changes audio playback to suit the listener’s test results; it is not the same as medically correcting hearing loss.
Wolinski’s review describes the profile as compensating for hearing loss, but the evidence establishes a personalized listening feature, not a diagnostic test or treatment. It does not establish that Artemis is an over-the-counter hearing aid, that its test is clinically validated, or that it treats hearing loss or tinnitus. His report of brighter treble and greater perceived spaciousness is one person’s experience, not a guaranteed result. Tom’s Guide’s FoKus Artemis review was first published September 4, 2026, and updated September 23, 2026.
What the review found in use
Wolinski tested over Bluetooth using AAC and over USB-C in hi-res playback. He praised the headphones’ sound detail and personalized EQ. He also reported that the app sometimes failed to recognize the headphones and crashed during a firmware update. Noble patched the iOS app after he raised the issue, but he still found it unpolished. Those are the reviewer’s observations, not results from independent clinical or laboratory testing.
#1 Best Overall
- 6 HYBRID DRIVER AUDIOPHILE SOUND PERFORMANCE Each earcup is equipped with a 40mm dynamic driver, planar driver and balanced armature driver, 6 drivers in total for both sides. Featuring 10Hz-20KHz wide frequency response and 100dB sensitivity with matched 32Ω, 29Ω and 13Ω impedance, this headset can be easily driven by phones, audio players and sound cards, delivering layered, detailed sound for audiophile listening and studio monitoring.
- DUAL WIRED AUDIO OUTPUT WITHOUT BATTERY RESTRICTION Passive wired design supports both USB-C digital audio and 3.5mm analog audio transmission. It works continuously without charging, bringing zero-latency lossless audio playback for music production, gaming and daily entertainment.
- DURABLE ZINC ALLOY LIGHTWEIGHT ERGONOMIC FRAME Constructed with PC, PA and zinc alloy materials, the solid frame resists scratch and deformation. Weighing only 330±10g, it greatly reduces head pressure during long-hour wear, and the adjustable headband fits all head sizes comfortably.
- COMPLETE ALL-IN-ONE ACCESSORY PACKAGE Comes with full practical accessories including USB-C charging cable, USB-C audio cable, 3.5mm to USB-C AUX cable, airline flight adapter and user manual. No extra cables needed for travel, flight or studio use.
- MULTI-SCENE UNIVERSAL AUDIO HEADSET Perfect for professional vocal monitoring, music mixing, immersive gaming, long-distance flight entertainment and daily home listening. It balances professional sound tuning and daily practicality, ideal for sound creators and music lovers alike.
Artemis specifications and review-time price
| Item | What Tom’s Guide reported |
|---|---|
| U.S. / U.K. listed price | $899 / £799, as listed in the 2026 review; check current pricing and stock. |
| Design and drivers | Closed-back; three driver types per side: dynamic, planar magnetic, and balanced armature. |
| Connections and features | Bluetooth 6.0, USB-C, 3.5mm, multipoint, and active noise cancellation. |
| Battery life | Up to 55 hours with ANC off and 35 hours with ANC on, figures attributed by the review to Noble. |
| Weight and durability | 324 g and IP52, as reported in the review. |
| Replaceable parts | The review says the earcups and battery are replaceable; that does not establish repair availability or warranty coverage. |
At the review’s publication, U.S. orders were in preorder and British retailers were beginning to carry the headphones. Availability changes, so verify current listing details before buying.
How it differs from hearing-aid features
Artemis adjusts headphone playback through personalized EQ. That is distinct from products whose makers specifically describe a Hearing Aid feature for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. Those features have their own device, age, geography, and compatibility conditions; they are not evidence that Artemis offers the same function.
Rank #2
- [Hybrid Dual-Driver Architecture]Each side features a coaxial 40mm dynamic driver + 14.5mm planar magnetic driver, delivering powerful bass, fast transient response, and a natural, engaging sound.
- [High-Resolution Wireless Audio]Powered by the QCC3084 chipset with support for LDAC, aptX, aptX HD, and AAC – enjoy lossless-quality Bluetooth playback.
- [Enhanced Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation] Integrated ADI chip plus 5 onboard mics and one detachable boom mic provide hybrid ANC with up to -35dB noise reduction, plus a superior transparency mode.
- [Industry-Leading Battery Life & Versatile Connectivity]Up to 80 hours of playtime (ANC off) or 60 hours (ANC on). Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint connection, and a detachable boom mic with mute switch – ideal for travel, work, and gaming.
- [Complete Accessories & Refined Comfort] Includes revised 3.5mm analog cable, airplane adapter, replaceable ear pads, and a compact carry case. Compatible with the Noble FoKus app for personalized control.
| Option | What the source says it does | Important conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Noble Audio FoKus Artemis | App hearing test followed by personalized headphone EQ. | Tom’s Guide’s 2026 review does not establish it as a hearing aid or clinically validated hearing test. |
| Apple AirPods Pro | Apple’s 2024 announcement describes a Hearing Aid capability for users with mild to moderate hearing loss, using a personalized profile from a Hearing Test to adjust ambient sound and audio such as music, movies, games, and calls. | Check Apple’s current supported AirPods Pro generation and regional feature status. Apple’s announcement. |
| Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Galaxy Buds4 Pro | Samsung’s 2026 announcement describes Hearing Aid and Hearing Test features for people aged 18 or older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. | Availability varies by market, model, and paired device. Full support requires a compatible Galaxy device with One UI 9 or later. Samsung stated U.S. and select-market availability in Q4 2026; check the current rollout. Samsung says the feature is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment. Samsung’s announcement. |
Which option fits your need?
- For music personalization: Artemis is the option in this comparison built around custom EQ in a premium over-ear headphone. Its usefulness depends on whether you like the profile it creates and can reliably use the app.
- For a described hearing-assistance feature: Compare Apple or Samsung’s stated Hearing Aid features, checking compatible products, device requirements, and availability where you live. These should not be treated as interchangeable with Artemis EQ.
- For persistent hearing concerns: Seek professional evaluation rather than relying on headphone personalization or a screening result.
The National Hearing Test says its screening takes about 10 minutes and can help people decide whether to seek a full-scale evaluation. It also advises that people who continue to have trouble following conversations in noisy places may want professional care even after passing the screening. A symptom such as difficulty in noise—or turning up the volume—does not by itself establish hearing loss. National Hearing Test.
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How Artemis compares as a luxury headphone
Tom’s Guide listed the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 at $799 / £675 and the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95 at $1,250 / £879, compared with Artemis at $899 / £799. These are review-time figures, not current quotes.
Rank #3
- [Hybrid Dual-Driver Architecture]Each side features a coaxial 40mm dynamic driver + 14.5mm planar magnetic driver, delivering powerful bass, fast transient response, and a natural, engaging sound.
- [High-Resolution Wireless Audio]Powered by the QCC3084 chipset with support for LDAC, aptX, aptX HD, and AAC – enjoy lossless-quality Bluetooth playback.
- [Enhanced Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation] Integrated ADI chip plus 5 onboard mics and one detachable boom mic provide hybrid ANC with up to -35dB noise reduction, plus a superior transparency mode.
- [Industry-Leading Battery Life & Versatile Connectivity]Up to 80 hours of playtime (ANC off) or 60 hours (ANC on). Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint connection, and a detachable boom mic with mute switch – ideal for travel, work, and gaming.
- [Complete Accessories & Refined Comfort] Includes revised 3.5mm analog cable, airplane adapter, replaceable ear pads, and a compact carry case. Compatible with the Noble FoKus app for personalized control.
| Model | Review-time listed price | Reviewer’s qualitative comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Noble Audio FoKus Artemis | $899 / £799 | Wolinski judged its sound finesse stronger. |
| Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 | $799 / £675 | Wolinski described its build as feeling more polished at a lower price. |
| Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95 | $1,250 / £879 | Wolinski saw it as the more holistic luxury package. |
Those are the reviewer’s judgments, not clinical comparisons or a finding that one model provides better hearing assistance. Consider the sound you prefer, comfort and materials, app performance, and whether replacement parts matter to you alongside price.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- [Acoustic upgrade: speed and separation] The Fokus Prestige Encore moves to a three-way hybrid driver configuration featuring: 8mm dynamic driver for rich, authoritative bass. Dual Knowles balanced armatures for midrange clarity and texture. New 6mm planar magnetic driver to extend treble air, increase transient speed, and reveal microdetail.
- [Wireless done right]The Encore runs on the Snapdragon S3 Gen 1 Sound Platform, supporting the latest generation of high-resolution codecs: aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, LDAC, AAC, and SBC. This allows listeners to stream in bit-perfect quality where supported, while Bluetooth 5.4, multipoint pairing, and TrueWireless Mirroring ensure stable connections and effortless switching between devices. For calls and conferencing, dual-mic cVc noise suppression reduces environmental noise without overly processing the natural tone of the voice, maintaining clarity in professional and casual settings alike.
- [Longer listening, more comfort]The endurance with 65mAh cells in each bud and a 500mAh wireless charging case, offering up to 10 hours of playback (ANC off) or 7 hours (ANC on), with a total of 35 hours including the case. A 10-minute quick charge provides around 2 hours of listening, keeping users moving with minimal downtime. The housings and charging case are CNC-machined entirely from solid wood, not just a decorative plate, but full wooden construction. Each piece displays its own natural wood grain, ensuring that no two Encores look exactly the same. Combined with a smaller, lighter geometry, this makes for a premium finish and a secure, fatigue-free fit during long sessions.
- [Smarter sound, tailored to the listener]Building on Noble’s integration of Audiodo Personal Sound in the Rex5 and Amadeus, the Encore offers refined per-ear calibration with on-device profile storage. After a one-time test, personalised frequency adjustments are written into the IEMs themselves, meaning your profile follows you across all devices — no app dependency once it’s set.
Rank #4
- Wireless Freedom: Experience true wireless stereo with these Bluetooth in-ear headphones, allowing you to move freely without the hassle of tangled cords.
- Personalized Sound: Customize your audio experience with the sound personalization feature, tailoring the sound to your unique hearing profile.
- Clear Calls: Built-in microphone ensures crystal-clear voice communication during calls, enabling hands-free convenience.
- Compact Design: Sleek and lightweight in-ear form factor provides a comfortable and secure fit for extended listening sessions.
- Long-Lasting Battery: Enjoy uninterrupted music playback or calls with the headphones' impressive battery life.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
