The true wireless stereo (TWS) audio market is fiercely competitive, and Noise has been steadily rising to the challenge with products that aim to deliver premium features at wallet-friendly prices. Their first-generation Master Buds, offered in collaboration with Bose, aimed high but left room for improvement, especially at their introductory price of Rs. 8,000. Fast forward to today, and Noise is back with the Master Buds 2 — a follow-up that keeps the price unchanged while packing a host of upgrades. Let’s dissect what Noise has brought to the table with their latest offering.

Here’s what has improved:

Sound quality and ANC: The standout feature of the Noise Master Buds 2 is their much-improved sound quality. Powered by Bose’s audio expertise, these earbuds deliver clear separation between vocals, bass, and instrumentation, creating an immersive listening environment. Notably, the treble has received better tuning compared to their predecessors. For those who find the default Bose profile too subdued in highs, a customizable equalizer setting in the accompanying Noise app allows fine-tuning. The bass is clean and premium — neither overwhelming nor underwhelming.

The active noise cancellation (ANC) function is also significantly upgraded. Offering up to 51 dB of ANC, users can fine-tune the earbuds based on their needs with options such as Low, Mid, High, and Adaptive ANC modes. Adaptive ANC adjusts the cancellation strength automatically, depending on surrounding noise levels. For transparency, the earbuds include a mode to pipe in external sounds naturally, avoiding the robotic sounding artifacts often seen in competitors.

Design: Premium look with practical benefits

Noise has retained its premium design language while adding functional improvements. The Master Buds 2 feature a completely matte finish for both the earbuds and the case, reducing scratches and fingerprint smudges. The case itself feels solid, with a robust hinge and strong magnets that securely hold the earbuds in place. The design incorporates a unique vinyl-style metal disc on both the case and earbuds, underscoring Bose’s branding.

Available in three color options — Carbon, Aurum, and Mercury — the earbuds exude a sleek, modern aesthetic. With an IPX5 water-resistance rating, these buds are suited for gym use or light rain. However, it’s worth noting that the charging case lacks any dust or water-resistance certifications.

New tech highlights: Spatial audio, motion controls, and dual connectivity

The Master Buds 2 step into more experimental terrain with features like spatial audio and motion controls. Spatial audio provides an immersive 360-degree surround sound, and users can enable head tracking for sound that adjusts dynamically with their head movements. This adds a cinematic touch to music or movies without deteriorating audio quality, a common pitfall in budget earbuds trying to deliver this feature.

Motion controls, enabled through the earbuds’ 6-axis IMU sensor, allow users to manage calls and track playback with simple head movements. While the feature may seem gimmicky in public spaces, it proves useful in niche scenarios, such as working out, where reaching for your phone or earbuds isn’t convenient.

On the connectivity front, Bluetooth 6.1 provides a seamless and energy-efficient connection. Google Fast Pair and Windows Swift Pair ensure quick setup on supported devices. Dual pairing capability is another highlight; you can connect the earbuds to two devices at once and switch seamlessly between them.

Battery life and quick charging

Battery life is another strong area for the Master Buds 2. With ANC on, the earbuds offer 6–7 hours of playback on a single charge, while the case extends this to roughly 30 hours. For users in a hurry, the fast-charging feature proves invaluable: 15 minutes of charging provides up to 50% battery.

Build for calls and practicality

Equipped with six microphones (three per earbud), the Master Buds 2 shine in call quality, even in noisy environments. During testing in traffic-heavy areas and settings with barking dogs, the earbuds effectively isolated the user’s voice, reducing ambient distractions for the listener on the other end.

Practical features like in-ear detection, which pauses playback when you remove the earbuds and resumes when they are inserted again, add to the convenience. Similarly, the integrated Noise app provides control over various settings, including ANC levels, spatial audio, and EQ tweaks. The "Find My Device" feature and customizable touch controls round out the software support.

Limitations: Is it a perfect upgrade?

For all its perks, the Master Buds 2 aren't ideal for every user. Gamers, for instance, might find them lacking. While latency remains fairly low for casual gaming, there’s no dedicated gaming mode, making these less suited for competitive scenarios. Another potential drawback is the absence of an IP rating for the case, meaning it may not survive exposure to dust or moisture.

Should you buy the Noise Master Buds 2?

At Rs. 8,000, the Noise Master Buds 2 cater to those who value premium sound quality, advanced ANC, and feature-rich practicality. With Bose backing the audio technology, these earbuds offer an experience closer to flagship TWS options from more expensive brands. Spatial audio, solid call performance, and long battery life round out their appeal.

However, if you own the original Master Buds, the decision to upgrade depends on how much you value features like head-tracking spatial audio or stronger ANC. Gamers may want to explore alternatives better suited to low-latency performance. For the everyday listener, though, the Master Buds 2 offer tremendous value at a mid-range price point.