With the gradual phasing out of headphone jacks and the surge in popularity of Bluetooth earphones, the market for truly wireless earbuds has intensified. Leading brands such as Sony, Skullcandy, Xiaomi (featuring the AirDots Pro), and even Honor have entered the fray. However, crafting a truly wireless earphone is one thing; crafting a remarkable one is another. This is where Noise, an emerging brand from India, distinguishes itself.
Last year, Noise provided us with the Shots X5 truly wireless earbuds, which I adore and Rupesh now uses as his daily driver. Subsequently, Noise introduced a more affordable variant of its wireless earbuds, the Noise Shots X3 Bass. These are touted to deliver boosted bass output, but do they deliver?
Noise generously provided us with the Shots X3 Bass, which I’ve been testing for the past few weeks. Let’s determine if it’s worth the Rs 4,000 price tag.
What’s in The Box
Similar to the Noise Shots X5, the Shots X3 come in a sturdy cardboard box. Sliding it open reveals the earbuds and charging case neatly arranged on top, with accessories underneath. Here’s what you’ll find:
- Earbuds
- Charging case
- MicroUSB charging cable
- Extra ear tips (2x)
- User manuals
Specifications
Before exploring my experience, let’s glance at the specifications table for the Noise Shots X3:
| Dimensions (Charging Case) | 74 x 30 x 55.5 mm |
| Dimensions (Earbuds) | 28.2 x 25 x 18.7 mm |
| Weight | 4.8 grams each earbud, 70 grams charging case |
| Processor | |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0, microUSB |
| Speaker Frequency | 18Hz-22kHz |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 sweat and splash resistant |
| Battery (Charging Case) | 1500mAh |
| Battery (Earbuds) | 50mAh each |
| Compatibility | Android and iOS |
| Colors | Black and White |
Design and Build
Noise has steadily improved its design offerings. I admired the sleek charging case of the Shots X5, along with its matte finish and the added benefit of doubling as a power bank. However, the Noise Shots X3 opts for a simpler appearance, shedding bulk and extras.
After over two weeks with the Shots X3, the compact black charging case proves practical, but aesthetics could be enhanced. It’s portable and lightweight, unlike many other wireless earbuds on the market.
The Shots X3 case is crafted from a cheaper plastic compared to the X5. While the body is sturdy, the lid feels flimsy and is difficult to open. Without a magnetic closure, there’s a concern that the hinge might break.
Moreover, the case easily smudges and scratches. Upon closer inspection, our unit already exhibits numerous scratches, with the branding and text at the bottom wearing off prematurely. This is truly disappointing.
I would have preferred the matte case of the Shots X5, but the plastic case here serves its purpose. The bottom half of the case is solid black, while the lid is now translucent, allowing you to check whether the earbuds are charging and the remaining charge in the case, similar to the Mi AirDots.
The microUSB charging port is located at the rear, and the LED indicators of the charging case have been moved to the front and center, which is an improvement over the single LED of the Shots X5.
Noise Shots X3 are possibly one of the most comfortable wireless earbuds
Hardware Buttons and Controls
The earbuds feature a hardware button on the outside, as mentioned in my Shots X5 review. Pressing it firmly pushes the earbuds further into your ear, which can be painful. I suggest the company adopts touch controls for future models.
The controls are flush, allowing for management of calls, music playback, and accessing voice assistants like Siri or Google Assistant. Due to the discomfort caused by pressing the hardware buttons, I didn’t use them much. A single press controls music playback, a double tap activates the assistant, and long presses skip tracks. A neat feature: Long-pressing the right button plays the next track, while the left button replays the previous one.
Connectivity
The Noise Shots X5 stands out for its effortless pairing with your smartphone or laptop. This simplicity is also present in the Noise Shots X3.
Noise Shots X3 offers
hassle-free pairing
Upon opening the case (handle with care), the earbuds automatically pair, indicated by glowing white LEDs. The right earbud then flashes orange and white, signaling readiness for smartphone pairing.
The earbuds connect instantly to your devices via Bluetooth 5.0 without any drop in connection. They are compatible with iOS and Android devices, and I didn’t encounter any pairing issues. However, there are some connectivity concerns to address.
Noise mentioned slight tweaks to the internals, altering how the earbuds pair compared to the Noise Shots X5. Unfortunately, this adjustment led to occasional static and audio drop lasting a few seconds in the left earbud when inserting or adjusting them. Despite this, sound returns to normal promptly.
While this doesn’t significantly detract from the audio experience, as we’ll discuss shortly, it may become irritating over time.
Audio Quality
The Noise Shots X5’s sound signature impressed me with its warmth and ease on the ears, raising my expectations for its more affordable sibling, the Noise Shots X3. Fortunately, the Noise Shots X3 exceeds expectations, delivering rich sound with ample thump.
The Noise Shots X3 provides an exceptional audio experience that rivals or surpasses many wired headsets in its price range. While the sound stage of the Shots X3 isn’t perfectly balanced, the emphasis on low frequencies is evident. The bass is pronounced, particularly evident in bass drums, catering to EDM and bass enthusiasts. However, this emphasis may occasionally overshadow other elements in a track, which might not appeal to those who prefer more balanced audio.
Rediscovering the past through Green Day’s celebration of Dookie’s 25th anniversary was a delight. Longview, known for its crisp bass lines and vocals, was an ideal test for the Shots X3. The bass resonated loudly and clearly, albeit overshadowing the other instruments and vocals slightly. Additionally, I explored recent releases like Bring Me The Horizon’s Sugar Honey Ice & Tea and Billie Eilish’s atmospheric Bury a Friend.
To summarize the auditory experience, I’ve never had as much fun with truly wireless earbuds before. The sound quality is satisfying, though a tad too loud for my preference, with noticeable audio distortion at high pitches – a recurring issue observed with the Mi AirDots Pro.
The earbuds fit snugly and won’t fall out, even with vigorous head movement. The Noise Shots X3 provide effective noise isolation, allowing for focused screen time in any environment. They effectively block out the noisy commute, which I found beneficial.
Voice Calling
The Noise Shots X3 advertise stereo calling, enabling hearing through both earbuds. While I did use them for calls, the experience differs from pricier models, offering a complete contrast.
The microphone in the Shots X3 is built into the right earbud, akin to the Shots X5. However, the smaller earbud size necessitates a different microphone unit. I couldn’t complete a call without the caller mentioning difficulty hearing my voice.
I had to position the earbud closer to my mouth for effective communication, an unexpected inconvenience. This issue persisted even in quiet office settings, not just noisy environments. Nonetheless, call audio quality remained consistently clear and loud, showcasing the effectiveness of stereo sound.
Battery Life
Aside from audio quality, battery life is crucial for truly wireless earbuds, and the Noise Shots X3 excel in this regard. While advertised for 3 hours of playback, they consistently deliver around 3.5 hours. Subsequently, recharging is necessary by placing them in the case.
The charging case contains a 1,500mAh battery pack, providing sufficient power for approximately 10-12 charges. However, it charges slowly, taking over 3 hours to reach 80% from 25%. Nonetheless, this inconvenience occurs only once every three or four days, making it manageable.
The battery life isn’t the greatest, but it’s good enough for the price.
Noise Shots X3 Bass: Are These Earbuds Worth Your Money?
Before I elaborate, yes, it’s a wise choice to purchase the Noise Shots X3. They’re among the best truly wireless earbuds available for under Rs 5,000. Not to overlook the equally impressive Noise Shots X5 with its own advantages.
The Noise Shots X3 offers a feature-packed audio experience, ideal for bass enthusiasts. Despite potential build concerns, its connectivity and sound quality are exceptional. Finding another wireless headset with comparable features at this price point is unlikely.
Concerned about the build and connectivity of the Noise Shots X3 (Rs 3,999)? Consider its elder sibling, the Noise Shots X5 (Rs 4,999), for a slightly higher price. Alternatively, explore Xiaomi’s Mi AirDots (Rs 4,148) or the OnePlus Bullets Wireless (Rs 3,999) for budget-friendly options.
PROS
Noise Shots X3 Bass Review: Affordable Extra Thump
If asked to suggest budget truly wireless earphones, Noise instantly comes to mind. The brand has firmly established itself in India’s audio market, and the Shots X3 continues this trend. These affordable earbuds offer satisfactory build, a smart translucent lid, snug comfort, and superb battery life. They’re a bass lover’s dream at quite an affordable price.
However, connectivity issues and voice calling woes may arise, along with audio tearing at high pitch.
Convinced? Will you be getting the Noise Shots X3 or gifting a pair? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Pritam Chopra is a seasoned IT professional and a passionate blogger hailing from the dynamic realm of technology. With an insatiable curiosity for all things tech-related, Pritam has dedicated himself to exploring and unraveling the intricacies of the digital world.
