The Noise Airwave 5 Max headphones deliver a premium audio experience that punches above its weight. This comprehensive review delves into every aspect of these impressive over-ear cans, from their luxurious unboxing experience to their exceptional performance in noise cancellation, sound quality, and comfortable fit. We'll explore the build quality, intuitive controls, and impressive battery life, leaving no stone unturned in our assessment of this compelling contender in the wireless headphone market.Expect a detailed examination of the Airwave 5 Max's standout features: its powerful 40mm drivers, effective Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), and ultra-low latency mode ideal for gaming. We'll also discuss the comfort aspects for extended listening sessions, the versatility of its connectivity options, and the overall value proposition, weighing the minor drawbacks against the undeniable strengths of this remarkable headset. Read on to find out if the Noise Airwave 5 Max deserves a place in your listening arsenal.
Pros And Cons
- Premium design and build quality
- Sturdy and durable cups
- Foldable for easy portability
- IPX5 certification (water and sweat resistant)
- Lightweight
- Comfortable fit, even for extended use
- Well-placed buttons for easy operation
- Excellent connectivity (Bluetooth 5.4)
- Long battery life (up to 80 hours, 50 hours with NC)
- Supports fast charging (10 minutes for 10 hours of playtime)
- Strong sound quality, especially bass
- Clear vocals and crisp treble
- Very loud volume
- Effective noise cancellation (up to 50dB)
- Good passive noise cancellation
- Excellent call quality with four mics and noise cancellation
- Low latency (30ms) suitable for gaming
- Supports wired connection via Type-C for gaming
- No app support for sound customization
- Vocals and treble slightly weaker than bass
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Unboxing and Accessories
The Noise Airwave 5 Max arrives in a premium box, highlighting its key features like Hybrid NC, 50dB noise cancellation, 40mm drivers, and impressive battery life.
Inside, you'll find a thank you card, noise-canceling stickers, a detailed user manual, a warranty card, and the headphones themselves.
Two cables are included: a USB-C to USB-C charging cable and a USB-C to 3.5mm audio cable, offering versatile connectivity options.
Design, Build Quality, and Comfort
The Airwave 5 Max boasts a premium design with sturdy and durable earcups and an adjustable headband. The headband is comfortable for extended use, and the earcups are large enough to comfortably fit most ears.
The headphones are made from plastic with a matte finish, adding to their premium feel. The build quality is solid, thanks to internal metal components. They also feature an IPX5 rating, ensuring water and sweat resistance.
The lightweight design and soft ear and headband cushions contribute to exceptional comfort, even during hours of use. The well-placed buttons make operation simple and intuitive.
Features and Functionality
The headphones feature intuitive controls, including volume up/down, track change, power on/off, noise cancellation (NC) on/off, transparency mode activation, and gaming mode activation.
Bluetooth 5.4 provides super-fast and reliable connectivity with an impressive range. Dual device pairing allows seamless switching between two devices.
The Airwave 5 Max boasts up to 80 hours of battery life with NC off, and up to 50 hours with NC on. It also supports super-fast charging: 10 minutes of charging provides up to 10 hours of playtime. The total charging time is around 90 minutes.
Sound Quality and Noise Cancellation
The 40mm dynamic drivers deliver punchy bass, clear vocals, and crisp treble. The sound quality is exceptional, with impressive loudness levels that might even be too much for some users.
The Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) effectively reduces surrounding noise by up to 50dB. Even with ANC off, passive noise cancellation is surprisingly effective.
The transparency mode allows you to hear your surroundings, although it's not as effective as the ANC. Overall, the sound quality, especially with the ANC, is superb.
Call Quality and Gaming Performance
The four built-in microphones provide excellent call quality, with effective environmental noise reduction. The other party will hear a crisp and clear voice.
Ultra-low latency (30ms) makes these headphones ideal for gaming. A wired connection via the included USB-C to 3.5mm cable further reduces latency for an even smoother gaming experience.
The combination of excellent sound quality, low latency, and comfortable fit make the Noise Airwave 5 Max a great option for gamers.
Verdict and Conclusion
The Noise Airwave 5 Max offers an excellent combination of comfort, sound quality, ANC, and features, especially considering the price point (around ₹4499 at launch).
While the lack of app support and slightly weaker vocals/treble compared to the bass are minor drawbacks, they don't significantly detract from the overall impressive performance.
Overall, the Noise Airwave 5 Max is a highly recommended headset for users seeking top-notch audio, powerful ANC, and a comfortable fit, especially for gaming and long listening sessions.