The Noise Airwave Max 5 uses an over-ear fit and weighs 250 g, making it a moderately sized closed-back headphone with stereo speakers. It features a foldable build that helps with compact storage, and both the detachable and tangle-free cable add practical flexibility for day-to-day use. The headphone carries an IPX5 water resistance rating, so it can handle splashes and light moisture without issue. No travel bag is included in the package, and the headphones are not designed specifically for children.
The Noise Airwave Max 5 is equipped with a 40 mm driver unit and covers the full standard frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. It supports both active noise cancellation and passive noise reduction, giving it two layers of ambient sound blocking. Spatial audio is also supported, adding a broader sense of soundstage to playback. The drivers do not use a neodymium magnet.
The Noise Airwave Max 5 is powered by a built-in 600 mAh rechargeable battery that is not removable, and it charges fully in around 1.5 hours via USB Type-C. It offers a rated battery life of 80 hours, and a battery level indicator lets users keep track of remaining charge. Wireless charging and solar charging are not supported.
The Noise Airwave Max 5 supports both wireless and wired connectivity, using Bluetooth 5.4 for its wireless mode with a maximum range of 10 m and an audio latency of 30 ms. None of the advanced Bluetooth audio codecs are supported, including aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Low Latency, aptX Lossless, AAC, LDAC, or LDHC, and Bluetooth LE Audio with Auracast is also absent. Pairing conveniences such as fast pair and NFC pairing are not available on this model.
The Noise Airwave Max 5 includes a noise-canceling microphone and can function as a headset for calls. It features an ambient sound mode, allowing users to let in environmental audio when needed. Controls are handled through an on-device panel, while an in-line cable control is not available. The headphones support multipoint connectivity for up to two devices simultaneously. In/on-ear detection for auto-pausing playback and a dedicated mute function are not part of the feature set.