BOULT Z40 ULTRA REVIEW: GOOD SOUND AT AFFORDABLE PRICE

It's raining budget earbuds...well, not literally! But the industry is lately flooded with new budget earbuds options, most of which are packed with impressive features at a budget-friendly pricing. A few weeks ago, we reviewed the Nothing CMF Buds and were thoroughly impressed. However, just when we thought we couldn't get good performance at a lower budget, I got my hands on another earbud for review, the Boult Z40 Ultra. Offering a good balance of audio quality, touch controls, and a classy design, the Z40 Ultra's ANC feature surprised me the most. But, feature-wise, in earbuds in the Rs 2,000 to Rs 1,999 price tag, there's not often much to expect or complain about, but the Z40 seems to say, 'why settle?'. 

I am sure you get the idea by now that I think the earbuds are good, but that doesn't mean it's perfect. In this review, I will detail both the good and the areas where the Boult Z40 falls short. 

But before I dive into that, let me detail the specifications. The Boult Z40 Ultra boasts a well-rounded spec sheet with 32dB active noise cancellation for focused listening, a massive 100 hours of total playtime with the charging case, fast charging that delivers 100 minutes of playback in just 10 minutes, and a variety of sound customisation options with 10mm drivers, three EQ modes, and clear calling aided by four microphones. Nothing much fancy, but enough to give you an overall good audio experience without burning a hole in your pocket.

Premium design and lightweight 

When I first unboxed the Boult Z40 Ultra, I felt like I was about to review a new set of premium earbuds at a high price point. The Z40 Ultra exudes a classy design with a premium feel. I reviewed the beige colour variant, and the colour itself is what I think looks sophisticated.  The material also felt soft to the touch like a matte velvety feel, similar to those of high-end Samsung buds.

These aesthetics of the Z40 Ultra are further enhanced by the detailed metallic ring which definitely gives these earbuds their definition in detail. More on the looks, at the bottom, there is a Type-C charging port, and a standout feature that I particularly appreciated was the inclusion of multiple LEDs. These LEDs offer a clear indication of the remaining battery life in the earbuds, a feature that we do not see even in high-end earbuds. But in Boult's Z40 Ultra, these LEDs not only contribute to the design but also provide valuable usability. 

While the design is impressive, the Z40 Ultra is also surprisingly lightweight. However, as a budget-friendly option, some cost-cutting measures are apparent. For instance, the hinge of the earbud case feels a bit flimsy. While not a deal-breaker, it does raise doubts about its long-term durability. The case itself is constructed of plastic, but it doesn't feel overly cheap. Additionally, another positive side is that despite the light colour, the case surprisingly doesn't attract stains and maintains a clean, fresh-out-of-the-box appearance. After using the earbuds for almost 10 days, I haven't noticed any stains or weird spots, even after taking them along while having lunch or travelling.

Performance 

Now, let's discuss performance. While overall, the Boult Z40 Ultra boasts impressive balanced audio and ANC functionality, there are areas where it falls short. 

First, let's delve into the positives. The Z40 Ultra delivers good audio quality with well-represented mids and a balanced overall sound. However, these earbuds are not bass-heavy, so if you crave deep, rich bass, the Z40 Ultra might not be your ideal choice. Despite this, the overall audio quality remains good, making music and audio content generally pleasant to listen to.

I tested the earbuds with a variety of genres, including K-pop, Indian classical music, evergreen Rafi songs, hits by Rihanna and Ed Sheeran, and more and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to these various tracks. The audio performance is further enhanced by the ANC support. While the ANC might not be top-notch, it performs decently, filtering out noise effectively at medium volume levels. Even in busy public areas, the ANC managed to provide a noticeable improvement.

I was initially impressed with the Boult Z40 Ultra's fast connection speed-the earbuds connected to my phone as soon as I opened the case-but the connectivity wasn't flawless. I frequently experienced false connections. For instance, the earbuds would occasionally connect to my phone even while still inside the case, which is frustrating. This false connection often resulted in situations where I'd be talking on the phone, only to have the earbuds connect unexpectedly while still in the case, causing the call audio to inexplicably switch to the earbuds.

Apart from these connectivity issues, I didn't encounter any problems. Similar to music playback, the call audio quality was also good. I could converse clearly with people while travelling on public transport, both in terms of hearing their voices and them hearing mine.

Long battery life 

The Boult Z40 Ultra lives up to its claim of long battery life. With my typical usage pattern of 3-4 hours per day, I only needed to charge the case every three days. Additionally, the earbuds boast fast charging capabilities, making them even more convenient.

Boult Z40 review: Should you buy it? 

If you're on a tight budget and seeking a good pair of earbuds under Rs 2,000, the Boult Z40 emerges as a strong contender for Rs 1,999. They offer decent sound quality with good mids and a balanced overall profile, alongside ANC functionality and excellent battery life.

However, it's important to consider potential drawbacks before making your decision. The Z40 might not be ideal for bass lovers, and while the ANC performance is decent, it's not top-notch. Additionally, there are some connectivity issues to take into account.

But overall, the Boult Z40 offers a good balance of features and performance for the price. And if you're looking for a budget-friendly pair and can't stretch your budget for earbuds with well-rounded functionality and long battery life, the Z40 is definitely worth considering.

2024-03-26T11:55:41Z dg43tfdfdgfd