Building on the success of the Noise Master Buds earlier this year, the new Noise Master Buds Max headphones promise to bring Bose-inspired audio quality to a wider audience. This progression from earbuds to over-ear headphones makes sense, offering a larger audio canvas. The core promise is simple: sound meticulously tuned by Bose, offered at a price significantly lower than typical flagship headphones. The verdict? It’s a resounding success.
Priced at ₹9,999, the Noise Master Buds Max represent a significant achievement for the Indian tech company. These aren’t just another pair of headphones; they offer the gravitas of Bose’s audio tuning, a true differentiator in this segment. Competitors like the Sennheiser Accentum Wireless and Marshall Major IV are in a similar price bracket, but Noise has clearly pushed the performance envelope for headphones where compromises often dictate the experience.
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Visually, the Master Buds Max impress. Available in onyx, titanium, or silver, their design is sleek, carrying over the vinyl disc aesthetic from the Master Buds charging case. While the ear cushions are comfortable and breathable, their softness might raise questions about long-term durability – only time will tell. Noise includes a functional travel pouch, but for an elevated experience, an optional vegan leather case with a magnetic clasp is available for an extra ₹2,499.
The sound quality is where the Noise Master Buds Max truly excel, powered by 40mm audio drivers and Bose’s tuning expertise. The accompanying Noise Audio app (for Android and iOS) offers a wealth of customization, including EQ settings, wear detection, dual pairing, and a Focus Mode that locks controls for uninterrupted listening. The app also features a ‘find my device’ function, a handy addition.
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The collaboration with Bose has clearly set high expectations, and the Master Buds Max deliver. They boast a warm, distinctly Bose-esque sound signature that’s incredibly versatile across genres. Whether you prefer powerful bass or clear vocals and mids, these headphones adapt. While the mids could use a slight boost in certain tracks, the overall audio performance is commendable.
A standout feature is the support for LHDC 5.0 (Low-Latency High-Definition Audio Codec), enabling high-resolution audio streaming for services like Apple Music and compatible Android devices. This support ensures a higher quality audio experience as more content adopts this advanced codec.
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Spatial Audio works impressively well with compatible tracks, creating a wider soundstage. Although there’s no head tracking, the immersive processing on the Noise Master Buds Max is remarkable for their price point, with minimal drawbacks.
Noise has also incorporated an active noise cancellation (ANC) suite with four modes: On, Off, Adaptive, and Transparency. While ANC ‘On’ initially felt a bit intrusive on the ears, the ‘Adaptive’ mode offered a more comfortable experience. The ‘Transparency’ mode is effective for quick conversations without removing the headphones.
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Battery life is exceptional, with Noise claiming up to 60 hours without ANC and around 40 hours with ANC. In real-world use, it’s genuinely difficult to drain the battery, even with ANC active. For most users, the passive noise isolation from the comfortable fit is often sufficient, making ANC less critical for everyday use, and solidifying their status as excellent travel companions.
In summary, the Noise Master Buds Max offer incredible value at ₹9,999. The combination of LHDC 5.0 support, extended battery life, a user-friendly app, and familiar Bose audio tuning makes them a standout choice. They truly live up to their potential as a democratization of high-quality audio, bringing premium sound within reach without the premium price tag.
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