Boult is renowned for producing inexpensive technology, and the locally produced company has unveiled Curve ANC neckband Bluetooth earphones. The Boult Curve ANC costs Rs 1,499 and includes Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), as the name suggests. In addition to this, the neckband provides a variety of capabilities, including gaming mode and ENC (Environment Noise Cancellation). How effective, though, are these features? Let’s read the complete review to find out.
Design
The Boult Curve ANC Bluetooth neckband features a combination of soft material around the neck and hard plastic at the lower ends. Its design is sleek and minimalist, with the Boult Audio logo printed on the right end. On the right side, you’ll find all the buttons, including the power on/off button or multi-function button (MFB), volume rockers, an indicator light, and a dedicated ANC button. These buttons are conveniently placed for easy access. Despite its lightweight design, the Boult Curve ANC neckband feels comfortable to wear, and I’ve been using it effortlessly for over a week. The earpieces fit well, and the package includes ear hook support or fins for those who prefer using them. Personally, I found using the earpieces with just the ear tips to be my preference.
Connectivity and Features
Due to Bluetooth 5.3’s inclusion, the Boult Curve ANC boasts a strong connection range. During my usage, I found the company’s claim that the neckband has a connection range of 10 metres to be accurate. Dual pairing is another significant feature that operates flawlessly. This feature allows you to utilise the neckband while using your laptop to play video games and to answer phone calls. By pressing the MFB button three times, the voice assistant feature on the neckband can also be used.
The Boult Curve ANC is splash-resistant because it has an IPX5 grade. Additionally, it boasts substantial 12mm drivers, and according to the manufacturer, the Bluetooth neckband has a 60mm low latency.
Battery and Charging
The Boult Curve ANC has a respectable battery life and can operate in ANC mode for up to 30 hours. That can be pushed much further without ANC. According to the manufacturer, 10 minutes of charging can provide 10 hours of backup in ANC mode. The battery life was satisfactory during my usage, in my opinion.
Sound Quality
With its large drivers, the Boult Curve ANC Bluetooth neckband delivers impressive sound quality and notable bass performance. Listening to music on this neckband was a enjoyable experience. However, I did notice that it could benefit from a bit more emphasis on the treble to enhance clarity in vocals and other high-frequency sounds. The ANC feature can be easily activated with a single tap on the dedicated button, claiming to reduce noise by 25dB. However, during my usage, I found the effectiveness of the ANC to be somewhat lacking, and it would have been better if the company had further improved its performance.
A noteworthy feature of the neckband is its transparent mode, which proves useful during phone calls by allowing ambient sounds to pass through. This can come in handy, ensuring that you can hear external sounds clearly without the need to unnecessarily raise your voice.
The Boult Curve ANC also incorporates Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC), which works well during phone calls, resulting in good voice quality. The company claims that the neckband offers a low latency of 60ms in its dedicated game mode. In my testing, I found this claim to hold true to a certain extent, as the neckband exhibited minimal latency, making it suitable for playing video games without experiencing significant delays.
Final Thoughts
The Boult Curve ANC is priced at Rs 1,499 and has a tonne of features. Some of the features, however, require refinement and fall short of expectations. For instance, as it lacks a magnetic power switch, even when not in use and snapped together, it will still be linked to the device. However, given the price range in which it is offered, this neckband is worth a go.
