There’s no dearth of affordable audio products in the market, and this is mainly possible due to several brands like boAt, Noise, and more. To break the monotony, brands often go for some pizzazz: a high-end feature or a collaboration with other premium players. Noise has adopted the latter strategy for its new Master Buds, which have Bose’s sound technology and sub-Rs 8,000 pricing. But how well does this partnership deliver? Is it a great option right now? Let’s find out.
Noise Master Buds
Rs 7,999
What Is Good?
- Unique and eye-catchy design
- Good sound quality, tuned by Bose
- Spatial audio support
- Reliable battery
What Is Bad?
- ANC performance needs to be better
- Pairing issues on iPhone
- Buggy companion app
Design and Build
The Noise Master Buds TWS has a Vinyl records-inspired design, which intends to take you down memory lane but is also a fresh take design. The added glam is Nothing’s Glyph Light-inspired LED indicator, which makes it look like a Nothing product, but it’s just Noise (no pun intended!)
The charging case speaks of premium and hints at the use of stainless steel. However, a few minutes with it will make the use of plastic evident. That said, this doesn’t impact the build quality. The earbuds follow the conventional in-ear design, so nothing unusual here. However, the quality is maintained and has good finishing. It comes in Titanium, Onyx, and Silver colours. All of them appear classy. I got the Onyx colour, and it rarely attracts dust or scratches even when it rested in my bag with other items.
Comfort-wise, it fell a little short. While there wasn’t any struggle to put them on, they didn’t sit properly in the ear canal, and frequent adjustments were required. The earbuds were often displaced while chewing something and this interrupted my short Netflix session during work breaks.
The case has a magnetic effect, and closing and opening it feels like an ASMR ritual. Overall, the looks are great, but the fit could have been better. However, this may be subjective.
Sound Performance
The ‘Sound by Bose’ tag sets the expectations high; however, do the earbuds deliver? Mostly. The Master Buds deliver a balanced sound profile and don’t lean toward a bassy or treble-focused output.
| Technical Specifications | Noise Master Buds |
| Drivers | 12.4mm PEEK+ Titanium Dynamic Drivers |
| ANC | Up to 49 dB (three levels) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Low Latency Mode | Yes |
The companion Noise Audio app has various EQ settings, which can elevate the music streaming experience based on how you like things, but I preferred the default settings more. I listened to several music genres, and here’s what I felt:
| Songs | Remarks |
|---|---|
| O’Meri Laila | The beauty of the song was well enhanced, and I could easily differentiate between most musical instruments. |
| Call me a Spaceman | The song had a balanced output. Bass-heavy portions were highlighted well. However, when the volume level crossed 70%, the sound was distorted. |
| Softly | The sounds were well-defined. And, I could pay attention to minor details like finger snapping and claps. |
| Where Are You Now | The vocals were clear, and the instrument and bass segment sounded good. |
| Sweet Child O’ Mine | The famous guitar introduction sounded too good; I could feel the notes. The vocals were defined, too. |
Overall, I liked how the earbuds could highlight several details well, making the streaming experience enjoyable.
Spatial Audio, ANC, and Mic Quality
While I was impressed with the audio quality, Spatial Audio wasn’t the best. The surround sound experience isn’t apparent at once and takes time. I had to specifically identify the moments, which hindered the overall experience. To put things into perspective, the boAt Nirvana Ivy’s spatial audio mode was very evident and highly impressed me. You can check out more on it here.
Moreover, ANC disappointed me big time. The earbuds’ 49dB noise cancellation couldn’t cancel out the surrounding noises well, and I could hear people talking, especially in a crowded setup. The Master Buds’ in-ear detection is another whine-worthy element. The feature didn’t activate smoothly and took a while to respond — nearly half the song played before I realised it wasn’t paused.
The call quality was decent. The caller’s voice was clear but usually faint, and I had to take the earbuds off to complete the call. The pairing process was also quite jarring since there were a lot of issues with my iPhone. Despite multiple attempts, the earbuds failed to connect to my phone. When it did, I struggled with the companion app.
Companion App
The Noise Audio companion app, specifically designed for the new Master series, couldn’t recognise the earbuds despite being paired with my phone. This was a persistent issue and, in a way, ruined the experience.
I’m assuming this is a bug of sorts, but hopefully something that gets fixed in the future. That said, the UI is easy to navigate, with simple options that are accessible.
Battery Life
The Noise Master Buds’s battery life is a saving grace. With continuous usage, it lasted for about six hours. And with a fully charged case, it easily lasted five days. This isn’t bad, especially when ANC was enabled most of the time.
The charging case can fuel up in about an hour and a half. I used the MacBook’s 30W charger for this.
Verdict
The Noise Master Buds stand out in the sub-Rs 10,000 price segment, and I will have to say, the partnership with Bose delivers. The audio quality is praiseworthy, and I enjoyed listening to music with the Master Buds. However, it would be an exaggeration if I called the earbuds the best.
The earbuds have several issues that can’t be overlooked; they struggle with pairing and provide an average call quality. The companion app experience isn’t the best either, and if you are looking for a good ANC experience, you may be disappointed. Also, these don’t focus on a bassy output, so it could impact your hunt for a bass-centric TWS.
The price tag of Rs 7,999 comes on the higher side when you take into consideration the vast market of TWS. So, if you don’t want to expand your budget the OnePlus Buds 3 at Rs 5,499 provides a better overall experience. And, if you are willing to spend more, you can still get the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro under Rs 10,000.
