Rating: 3.5/5The over-ear headphones market in India has become increasingly competitive, with several brands offering various options across price segments. These headphones aim to deliver high-quality audio, effective noise cancellation, and comfort for extended use, while balancing features with price constraints.Noise has expanded its Master Series lineup with the Master Buds Max, over-ear headphones featuring Bose-tuned audio and active noise cancellation, priced at Rs 9,999. We used the headphones for several weeks across different scenarios, and here's what they have to offer.DesignThe Master Buds Max adopts a design language that borrows elements from established premium models while incorporating Noise's signature vinyl disc motif seen across the Master Series. We received the Silver variant for testing, which features a distinctive 2 PM light bar that adds visual interest to an otherwise minimalist appearance.The headphones are also available in Titanium and Black. Built primarily from plastic materials, they maintain a lightweight profile at 262g, which became noticeable during extended listening sessions. After wearing them continuously for about 4 hours, the weight distribution felt balanced, without causing any discomfort or pressure points.The earcups and headband feature breathable cushions that proved comfortable even in warm conditions. During a particularly humid afternoon, the ear pads didn't trap excessive heat, though some sweat buildup was inevitable after prolonged use, a common trait among over-ear headphones.Build quality feels adequate for the price point. The plastic construction doesn't feel premium, but there's no excessive creaking or flexing when adjusting the headband. The adjustment mechanism operated smoothly with clear clicks indicating size changes.The foldable design allows the earcups to fold flat, making them easier to store. The included microfiber carry pouch with suede lining is a thoughtful addition; however, some models in this price range come with hard covers. The pouch provided with the Noise Master Buds Max lacks the rigid protection of a hard case.Physical controls are located on the right earcup. The buttons felt responsive during testing, with precise tactile feedback for power, playback control, and ANC switching. Unlike touch-sensitive panels that can be finicky, the physical buttons worked reliably.The left earcup features a USB-C charging port and a 3.5mm headphone jack, offering wired connectivity when Bluetooth isn't available or the battery is low.Audio performance
The Master Buds Max feature 40mm drivers with what Noise calls "Sound by Bose" tuning. The headphones support the LHDC 5.0 codec, which enables higher bitrate audio transmission compared to standard Bluetooth codecs, provided your source device supports it.A notable feature is the Dynamic EQ system that adjusts sound profiles based on listening volume. During testing, this became apparent when listening at lower volumes during late-night sessions. The audio retained warmth and body without sounding thin or lacking presence. At higher volumes, the sound didn't become harsh. We didn't notice any aggressive tuning effects.The soundstage felt noticeably wide during initial listening sessions. Orchestral pieces like Hans Zimmer's "Time" from Inception and jazz tracks from Etta James offered clear separation between instruments. Individual elements maintained their distinct positions rather than blending into a compressed wall of sound.Bass response is present and rich but notably limited. Tracks like "Blinding Lights" by The Weeknd and "Technologic" by Daft Punk had adequate low-end presence, but those seeking heavy, thumping bass will find it underwhelming. The bass doesn't dominate the mix, which some listeners will appreciate for its balanced approach, while bass enthusiasts may find it lacking punch.Mid-range frequencies and vocals came through with clarity. Bollywood tracks like "Kesariya" from Brahmastra and "Apna Bana Le" from Bhediya featured vocals that were beautifully rendered without excessive processing. This clarity made the headphones particularly suitable for podcasts and audiobooks, where dialogue remained intelligible without requiring volume adjustments.For rock and classical music, the balanced tuning worked well. Songs like "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen and classical pieces from AR Rahman maintained instrument separation without muddy overlap. However, electronic and bass-heavy genres may leave some listeners wanting more low-end impact.Watching movies and series with these headphones provided an engaging experience. During viewing sessions of action films like Venom: The Last Dance, dialogue remained clear while the background score maintained its presence. The soundstage helped create a sense of space, though it didn't match the immersive quality of spatial audio systems with head tracking.Gaming performance revealed both strengths and limitations. During sessions of competitive games like Valorant and Call of Duty Mobile, the wide soundstage helped with directional audio cues, with footsteps and gunshots reasonably positioned, allowing for basic spatial awareness. However, Bluetooth latency became noticeable in fast-paced scenarios, with a slight delay between on-screen action and audio feedback. Switching to the wired 3.5mm connection eliminated this lag, making the headphones more suitable for gaming when used with a cable. Story-driven games like God of War and Spider-Man benefited from the clear dialogue and atmospheric sound design, creating an enjoyable single-player experience despite the restrained bass during explosive sequences.Noise cancellation
The Master Buds Max deploy five microphones for active noise cancellation, with Noise claiming up to 40dB noise reduction. The headphones offer four modes: ANC ON, ANC OFF, Adaptive ANC, and Transparency Mode.Testing in a busy office environment revealed that the ANC effectively handled consistent ambient noise. This included distant traffic and keyboard typing, resulting in significantly muted sound.With music playing in the living room, we used the headphones to wrap up some pending work. Even with the door open, the sound from outside was reduced to a decent level.The Adaptive ANC mode attempted to adjust noise cancellation based on ambient conditions. In practice, transitions between environments were smooth enough, though the adjustments weren't always immediately noticeable compared to keeping ANC in the standard ON mode.Transparency Mode worked as expected, allowing ambient sound to pass through without removing the headphones. This proved helpful when ordering at coffee shops or briefly conversing with the people around without interrupting music playback. The transition between ANC and Transparency was quick and activated instantly with a button press.While the noise cancellation is functional and noticeably reduces unwanted sounds, it doesn't match the effectiveness of premium models available at higher price points. For daily commutes and office use, it performs adequately.Features and connectivity
The Master Buds Max supports Bluetooth connectivity with Google Fast Pair for quick pairing with Android devices. Initial pairing was straightforward. Switching on the headphones triggered pairing mode, and the connection was completed within seconds.Dual pairing functionality allows simultaneous connection to two devices. During testing, switching between a laptop and a smartphone worked smoothly. Audio automatically paused on one device when playback started on the other, though occasional delays of a second or two occurred during switches.Spatial audio is included, though without head tracking. When enabled, the soundstage felt wider, creating the sense that audio was coming from different directions.However, without head tracking, the effect remained static and didn't adjust based on head movement, limiting immersion compared to advanced spatial audio implementations.The wear detection feature paused playback when removing the headphones and resumed when putting them back on. This worked consistently during testing. This is a small but convenient feature that prevents missing parts of songs or podcasts during interruptions. However, it can be bypassed by touching the earcup with your chin when they're placed down on your neckThe 3.5mm jack provides wired connectivity when Bluetooth isn't available or when the battery is depleted. The included cable is of decent quality, though audio quality via the wired connection seemed less refined than Bluetooth with LHDC.Battery life
Battery performance is where the Master Buds Max show strength. Noise claims up to 60 hours of playback with ANC off and 48 hours with ANC on.During testing with ANC enabled and moderate volume levels, the headphones lasted approximately two full work weeks with daily usage of nearly 3 hours. This translates to roughly 40-45 hours before requiring a charge, which aligns reasonably with the company's claims, accounting for usage variations.Without ANC, battery life is extended further. A single charge lasted nearly three weeks with similar daily usage patterns.Fast charging support proved convenient. A 10-minute charge provided enough power for several hours of listening, making it ideal for quick top-ups before commutes. Charging from zero took approximately 2.5-3 hours.The headphones could be charged via USB-C, which helped during extended listening sessions when the battery ran low.Verdict
Priced at Rs 9,999, the Noise Master Buds Max position themselves as an affordable alternative to headphones typically priced in higher price brackets. The headphones deliver balanced audio with the Dynamic EQ system, preventing listening fatigue across volume levels, functional noise cancellation for common scenarios, and substantial battery life that reduces charging frequency.The comfortable design with breathable cushions makes them suitable for extended wear, while features like dual pairing, wear detection, and fast charging add practical convenience. The inclusion of LHDC 5.0 codec support is noteworthy at this price point, offering better audio quality for compatible devices.However, limitations exist. Bass response is restrained, which suits balanced listening but may disappoint bass enthusiasts. Noise cancellation is functional, but doesn't match the effectiveness of established premium models.The Master Buds Max are aimed at users seeking balanced audio quality, long battery life, and practical features without the premium price tag. They're suitable for daily commutes, office use, and general listening where a neutral sound signature is preferred over bass-heavy tuning.If you prioritise balanced sound, battery longevity, and don't require heavy bass or top-tier noise cancellation, the Master Buds Max offer good value at its price point.
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