Boult Maverick: Stylish, affordable earphones with some rude shocks

The budget-friendly TWS device punches above its weight and will suit gamers, but some immediate software fixes are a must

While gamers and music critics both long for near total immersion in their chosen soundscapes, each listener’s choice of gear will be drastically different. Can one pair of true wireless earphones truly do it all for both these listeners? We received the Maverick TWS earphones from the Boult Audio company, which boasts of over 5 million units sold. With a series of tests, we investigated whether music lovers and busy professionals might also consider this gaming-oriented TWS product priced at ₹1,799. Here’s what we found.

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Boult Audio provides two true wireless earphones, one charging case, a Type-C charging cable, a warranty document, the user manual, and two extra ear-tips in a small but sturdy cardboard box that’s well suited to be a gift.

It would not be an understatement to say that we experienced something akin to love at first sight while unboxing the device. The compact black charging shell comes with a translucent lid that is beautifully highlighted by the turquoise LED light strip circling the front of the case. It gently pulses several times when the case is opened and is easy to locate in the dark without being intrusive. We would love to see more such cyberpunk designs from international brands as well. The earphones too have turquoise light rings.

Still, they fall below expectations in terms of overall design. Black with grey coverings, the earphone’s plastic is crude, has rough creases, and lacks a sleek finish. Part of the top-heavy earphone goes into the ear canal along with the bud, which leads to the plastic body getting stained.

As soon as you insert the Boult Maverick earphones, you are ready for an immersive music or gaming experience. However, what the listener receives instead is a near heart attack as the automated voice informing you whether the earphones are connected or disconnected is set at maximum volume, regardless of the device volume. This is a flaw which must be corrected immediately, as users run the risk of hearing loss or shock. It also disrupts a gamer’s experience during crucial moments. After several such mishaps, I learned to wait five seconds before putting in the earphones until I was sure the announcement was over. This inconvenience will not be tolerated by many users.

The Boult Maverick is largely aimed at gamers, which explains the ultra-amplified bass and immersive sound, well complemented by the earphones’ environmental noise cancellation and 10mm drivers. But make no mistake; not everyone will appreciate this set-up. While gamers can lose themselves in the ambience of their worlds and battles without being distracted from their quests, music lovers are likely to experience a strong “blocked ear” effect where the bass drowns out delicate instrumentals.