In a market crowded with wireless audio options, the Noise Master Buds Max stand out not simply as another set of headphones, but as a statement: high-quality, Bose-tuned audio doesn’t need to come with a premium price tag. With a price of ₹9,999, these headphones make a bold case for the democratisation of audio excellence in India, and they largely succeed.

Design and Build: A Subtle Blend of Style and Comfort

At first glance, the Noise Master Buds Max are aesthetically pleasing, with a minimalist design that’s both modern and elegant. Available in onyx, titanium, and silver, the headphones feature a vinyl disc pattern on the earcups, reminiscent of the design language from the earlier Noise Master Buds. The overall build feels sturdy yet lightweight, and the ear cushions are soft, breathable, and comfortable, although their plushness might make them slightly more vulnerable to wear over time.

Noise includes a standard travel pouch with the headphones, but users seeking a more premium carrying option can purchase the Master Buds Max case separately for ₹2,499. This vegan leather case features a magnetic locking mechanism and comes in a sophisticated taupe colour, adding to the overall user experience.

Sound Quality: Bose’s Expertise Comes Through

The true highlight of the Master Buds Max lies in its sound. With 40mm audio drivers at the core and Bose tuning, these headphones offer a warm, immersive, and balanced audio profile. Bass is punchy without overwhelming mids and highs, allowing vocals and instrumentals to shine through. While certain tracks may reveal slight room for improvement in mid-range clarity, the headphones are versatile across genres, handling classical, pop, jazz, rock, and electronic music with commendable finesse.

The Noise Audio app, compatible with both Android and iOS, enhances this experience by giving users control over sound customisation. An equaliser allows fine-tuning to personal taste, while features like wear detection, dual pairing, and a Focus Mode ensure an uninterrupted listening experience. Focus Mode locks all controls, including physical buttons, making it perfect for sessions where concentration is key. Additionally, if the headphones are misplaced, the app can trigger a chime to help locate them—a practical touch for everyday use.

High-Resolution Audio and Spatial Sound

Noise has equipped the Master Buds Max with LHDC 5.0 support (Low-Latency High-Definition Audio Codec), enabling high-resolution streaming up to 24-bit/192 kHz. While not all tracks are encoded in this format, platforms like Apple Music and many Android devices increasingly support it, allowing listeners to experience their music with remarkable detail and clarity.

Spatial Audio adds another dimension, creating a sense of width and immersive soundstage. While the feature works best with tracks specifically processed for spatial audio, it still offers a perceptible enhancement in depth and layering, making movies, games, and certain music tracks feel more engaging. The headphones do not offer head tracking, meaning the spatial effect depends entirely on the source content.

Active Noise Cancellation: Four Modes to Suit Every Environment

Bose has long been known for its leadership in active noise cancellation (ANC), and Noise has drawn heavily from that expertise. The Master Buds Max come with four ANC modes: On, Off, Adaptive, and Transparency.

When ANC is switched on, users may initially feel a slight pressure in the ears, a common effect in many noise-cancelling headphones, which tends to subside over time. Adaptive mode strikes a balance between isolation and comfort, automatically adjusting to ambient conditions. Transparency mode allows external sound to pass through, enabling conversations without removing the headphones—ideal for office interactions or when moving in public spaces. Overall, the ANC performance is solid, especially considering the headphone’s price point.

Battery Life: Exceptional Endurance

One of the standout features of the Noise Master Buds Max is battery longevity. Noise claims up to 60 hours of usage per charge without ANC and around 40 hours with ANC active. In practice, it’s challenging to deplete the battery under normal usage, making these headphones highly reliable for long trips, office use, or daily commuting. Most users may find themselves leaving ANC off, as the passive isolation provided by the earcups is often sufficient to block ambient noise.

Practical Features and Connectivity

The Master Buds Max are feature-rich beyond sound quality. Dual device pairing allows seamless switching between smartphones and laptops. Wear detection automatically pauses playback when the headphones are removed, and resumes when worn again. Physical buttons on the headphones are intuitive and responsive, controlling playback, volume, and calls.

The inclusion of a companion app enhances functionality, providing fine-tuned equaliser settings, headphone location features, and Focus Mode, among others. The LHDC 5.0 codec ensures high-fidelity streaming for supported devices, further elevating the listening experience beyond standard Bluetooth audio.

Value Proposition: Audio Excellence at a Disruptive Price

The Noise Master Buds Max, at ₹9,999, competes in a price segment where compromises are often expected. Competitors like the Sennheiser Accentum Wireless, JBL Tune 510BT, or Marshall Major IV may offer respectable audio, but few provide a combination of Bose tuning, high-resolution streaming, long battery life, and robust ANC in one package.

For Indian consumers, the Master Buds Max represents not just a headphone, but a statement: premium audio can now be more accessible. Noise has effectively taken a feature set traditionally associated with higher-priced international brands and packaged it in a product that feels well-built, sounds excellent, and lasts long on a single charge.

Final Thoughts

The Noise Master Buds Max is a noteworthy addition to India’s audio market, successfully bridging the gap between affordable and premium audio experiences. Its strengths lie in the combination of Bose-tuned sound, long battery life, versatile ANC, LHDC 5.0 support, and an intuitive companion app. Minor areas of improvement, such as slightly soft ear cushions or mids requiring occasional enhancement, do little to detract from the overall value proposition.

At a sub-₹10,000 price point, the Master Buds Max doesn’t just compete—it sets a benchmark for what consumers can expect from headphones in this range. Noise has not merely launched a product; it has effectively democratised quality audio, proving that excellent sound no longer has to come with a premium price tag.

For anyone seeking Bose-like warmth, adaptability across genres, long battery life, and active noise cancellation without paying flagship prices, the Noise Master Buds Max delivers on all fronts.