Verdict
A howling premium gaming headset that offer some of the best audio I ’ve ever experienced . It ’s robust and elaborated with strong sea bass , while the Maxwell is also comfortable , and provides fantastic endurance and various connectivity . The software and mike are n’t as unattackable as the competition , however .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The Audeze Maxwell aims to tackle the high - end gaming headset market from the perspective of a firm with a Brobdingnagian reputation in the audiophile place .
The American firm wowed us before with theAudeze Penrosefrom a few years ago , and this new looping aim to take it to the likes of theSteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro WirelessandLogitech Astro A50 Xby offering a bevy of utilitarian features including planar magnetic drivers , as well as excellent battery life and connectivity options .
At £ 319/$299.99/€407 , it ’s one of the more expensive options out there , but pop the question a unique proffer with its intersection of both the audiophile and gambling headset sphere , which may well just be deserving the price and make the Maxwell one of thebest gaming headsetswe’ve screen .
Design and Features
The Audeze Maxwell is a little more non - descript in its design compared to the white colourways that adorn the agio choices from both SteelSeries and Logitech , although with its big earcups and a suspension - style headband . The all - sinister people of colour is hateful , with very small in the mode of additional flair , aside from a small blue Audeze logotype on the bottom edge of both sides of the headband .
Where those options from SteelSeries and Logitech are both mostly plastic , the Maxwell is comprised of a blend of metal and high - quality plastics . The shaping portions are uncompromising and smooth to the touch , while there are aluminium yoke and a spring steel headband for extra flair and durability . On grammatical construction alone , the Maxwell apologise its cost .
A 490 gigabyte weight pee them especially heavy for a gaming headset and wearing them can take some getting used to , especially as a lot of other headsets weigh a fair bit less . With this in mind , the earcups are deep with lavish padding and also allow for vivid inactive noise isolation in the absence seizure of any ANC . Moreover , the suspension - mode headband means there is n’t too much of a clamping power . The Maxwell is a comfortable headset to wear for extended periods , although you will have to get used to that system of weights above all .
Most of the controls are loaded onto the bottom of the left - hand earcup , with options for pairing the headset and changing the mike ’s randomness stifling floor , as well as adapt the volume stage , and the mix between mic sidetone and secret plan audio . The literal panel of the earcup also put up the power button and the mic mute switch , which is nifty .
Each of the ascendancy find tactile , and having the mic deaf-mute separate from the other mastery on the side of the earcup mean you ’ll never be in doubt as to which push button you ’ve pressed . There is also a minor vox that states the function of the push button you ’ve pressed or the telephone dial you ’ve moved , which is ready to hand .
There is additional software system in the shape of the Audeze HQ app which work on Windows and macOS , as well as on mobile equipment . The app allow for a reasonable amount of functionality , offering plentifulness of EQ preset options , as well as quick access to the stratum of mic sidetone and the mixing between game and chat audio . Apart from that , you may update the firmware for the headset and its pass catcher , take the length of time for the headset to be on before it mechanically shuts down , and adjust the level of the voice prompting . The software is n’t as thoroughgoing as the contest , but the functions it supply are basic and somewhat useful . Its widespread compatibility is also utilitarian .
The Maxwell ’s connectivity is also one of its gamey points . The PlayStation version I ’ve got here can connect wirelessly overBluetooth 5.3and its bundled USB - deoxycytidine monophosphate receiving system , as well as wired over USB - C or a 3.5 millimeter cable . It ’s compatible with PS4 and PS5 , as well as Nintendo Switch , Windows and Mac , and Android and Io over all the wireless and pumped means , while if you practice a 3.5 millimeter overseas telegram , you could also get it to forge with both Xbox One andXbox Series X.
It work with no issues over Bluetooth to mySamsung Galaxy S21 Ultraor my MacBook Pro , and worked well on my PC and MacBook using the USB - C 2.4GHz radio pass catcher .
The only issue with listening to some music over the USB - C receiver is it created some modest artefacts in some medicine recording , which were n’t present across other means . There is also an Xbox version of this headset which swaps the wireless communications protocol around so it work with Xbox over wireless mean , and summate in a Dolby Atmos licence for more spatial audio .
For wireless audio , the Maxwell also supports a wide range of codecs including SBC , AAC and LDAC , while also keep going the ability to flirt hi - res audio up to 24 - bit/192KHz , which helps it bear out as a more audiophile - mark gaming headset .
The 80 hours of claimed battery life also makes the Maxwell one of the upright headset in its cost family for survival whereas SteelSeries ’ option lasts for up to 44 hour , but comes with rechargeable mobile phone . In addition , there are options such as theHyperX Cloud Alpha Wirelesswhich exceeds the Maxwell ’s endurance level by offer up a runtime of up to 300 hours . Audeze ’s headset also supports quick charging so you’re able to get up to 30 hours charge in just 20 min , which is fantabulous . A full charge admit 2 hours , however .
Audio and Microphone
With its 90 mm planar magnetic driver , I had gamy hopes for the Maxwell ’s audio capacity , and I have no indisposition in saying it ’s one of the best headsets I ’ve ever used . It demonstrates the benefits of planar magnetics compared to stock dynamical driver wonderfully with detailed and clear audio across the frequency range with an first-class soundstage and imaging .
For those unaware , planar magnetics work by suspending the headphone ’ diaphragm stuff between magnetic fields which cause vibration , while dynamic driver work by place the number one wood over a curlicue that is pulled by a attraction . Planar magnetism tend to demand a little more open area to work , hence why the Maxwell is a bite toilsome and bulkier than more distinctive headsets with dynamic machine driver .
However , the increase in size and weight is a small price to give for some of the expert audio you ’ll come up on a gaming headset at any cost .
The Maxwell befittingly impress with a strong bass with lot of extension that ’s delivered precisely on the likes of Rush ’s Working Man or Earth , Wind & Fire ’s Let ’s furrow . The latter particularly impresses with the strength of the caterpillar tread ’s entrancing synth bassline , which is presented in excellent manner .
In turning to a gaming workload , explosions and the sea of deep gunshot from a scattergun and Desert Eagle shooting iron in my playthrough of some rounds of Counter Strike 2 also impress me , as did the Maxwel ’s ability to gift footsteps on the nose . This was help along specially by the headset ’s ‘ Competitive ’ EQ mode in the HQ app , which raises the mids enough for them to become a bit more prominent , and palpate like a bit of a cheat code . The Maxwell also dealt with throaty engine roars in some Forza Horizon 5 backwash , and allowed me to distinguish between other cars around me when play in the cockpit camera .
The mids here are precise with fantastic handling of voices and vocals , as found on Gloria Estefan ’s Get On Your Feet , with both her voice and the caterpillar track ’s infective percussion . In summation , more stripped - back recording such as James Taylor ’s September Grass are given lots of elbow room to take a breath with the crisp percussion sounding further out than the warmth of the vocals .
The top - end is exact and the Maxwell plow transcription such as The Strokes ’ Reptilia and its harsh , immediate - paced cymbal employment brilliantly without any rigourousness or sibilance . While it is n’t as striking out of the box , the Maxwell feel balanced and handled treble marvellously .
The headset itself may not have any active noise cancellation , but the Maxwell ’s microphone has noise stifling which does a sterling job of eliminate any noise that is n’t your part . I tested the mic not only in Discord when chatting to friends , but also in Audacity with some test recordings . In these , it came across with reasonable eubstance and uncloudedness , although if you ’re someone who is going to be streaming , you ’re proficient off spending a bit more immediate payment to get a dedicated USB or XLR frame-up that ’s go to be a lot richer and fuller .
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Should you buy it?
The Maxwell offers the good audio frequency I ’ve heard out of a play headset full stop , with item across the frequency range , as well as mysterious , well - handled bass with university extension , and accurate mids and heights .
Where the Maxwell is n’t as strong as its more mainstream contender though is with its software . While it offer both an app and desktop means , its existent configuration and customisation option are basic in compare to the the like of theSteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless .
Final Thoughts
The Audeze Maxwell ’s audio - first approach to a premium gaming headset pays dividends where it matters with some of the best audio you ’re going to find on a gaming headset at any toll . It get the benefit of planar magnetized drivers and its rattling levels of point and treatment of low-spirited - destruction frequencies to a wide audience than audiophiles , and can deal with a wide orbit of medicine and games with preciseness , refinement and poise .
Elsewhere , the Maxwell offers some excellent survival with up to 80 minute of runtime , as well as some of the most useful connectivity selection and compatibility , wired and radio set . It also look hateful and is supremely manufacture with tactile and easily approachable controls .
However , it is n’t all blushful , unfortunately . The Maxwell ’s package offers basic customisation liken to the likes of theLogitech Astro A50 X , while its microphone is n’t as potent as theSteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless . Audeze ’s headset delivers on its wondrous audio more than any other headset I ’ve test , though , and if that ’s what count most , you wo n’t find a better headset . For more options though , check out our list of thebest play headsetswe’ve tested .
Trusted Score
How we test
We use every headset we test for at least a workweek . During that time , we ’ll check it for ease of use and put it through its paces by using it in a kind of game , as well as playing music in parliamentary law to get the full experience .
We also stop each headset ’s software system ( if applicable ) to see how well-heeled it is to customize and set up .
FAQs
No , the Audeze Maxwell does n’t need an amp , and work as a standalone headset across pumped up and wireless connectivity methods .
No , the Audeze Maxwell does n’t have ANC , or fighting noise cancellation . It instead cancel noise passively by providing a tight sealing wax around your earcups .
Test Data
Full Specs
