Just by looking at the Audeze Maxwell gaming headset, one might think they are just an average pair of headphones. It’s true; if not for the Audeze name on the headband and the blue A on the yokes, these could be mistaken for any headphones. There is no ostentatious RGB or weird design elements. Audeze knows what’s under the hood makes this headset stand out, and would rather that its tech do the talking.
Audeze Maxwell Sound Quality and Design
To cut to the chase, the Audeze Maxwell is one of the best-sounding headsets that I have ever tested. It offers superb clarity, extreme detail, and ensures that the full range of the audio spectrum comes through. Thanks to its 90mm Planar Drivers, which are fast becoming all the rage and are included in the equally stellar Pulse Elite headset from Sony, the Audeze Maxwell headset offers superior response on the highs and lows of game audio, music, or sound effects. It brings all the detail to the fore when necessary, but also appropriately spaces them out, like when footsteps need to feel off in the distance, for example. Bass is thump-y but never washed out or distorted. And dialogue comes through crisp and clear.
The Audeze Maxwell package includes:
- Audeze Maxwell Headset
- USB-C dongle
- USB-C charging cable
- USB-C to USB-A adapter cable
- 3.5mm analog cable
- Detachable hypercardioid boom mic with windscreen
There are two separate models of the Maxwell available, one for PlayStation 5 that includes support for the console’s Tempest 3D Audio profile and another for Xbox Series X/S that supports Dolby Atmos. The Xbox model is slightly more expensive ($329 vs $299) but both can connect to PC via the included 2.4 GHz USB-C dongle or to any Bluetooth-compatible device like a Nintendo Switch or mobile phone. For this review, we were provided with the PlayStation model and whether it was playing Helldivers 2 and picking up every nuance of the bombastic explosions or being overwhelmed with the beautiful soundtracks in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, there was not a moment that the Maxwell didn’t impress.
Typically, Planar Drivers are associated with a slightly heavier and more expensive headset because they require a bit more space to deliver that superior audio in each earcup, and because the tech is simply more expensive to produce. Weight-wise, though, the Audeze Maxwell don’t feel significantly heavier than some of the other popular premium headsets on the market, and the design of the headset offers enough support across the headband that you shouldn’t feel any major discomfort wearing them for long gaming sessions. There is a soft and adjustable stability band underneath the steel headband that offers support, and the contoured memory foam ear cups feature a dual chamber meant for creating that all-important audio seal, but the material is plenty comfortable as well.
Again, it’s not an eye-catching headset with its all-black profile, but putting on the Maxell headset shows that Audeze has put a lot of thought into the design. Comfort is number one and this is the type of headset that you can wear for hours without feeling any strain or pressure points. Moreover, it doesn’t feel cheap in any way; there was no skimping on the material or build quality. Even the fact that you can remove the ear cups and replace them highlights how thoughtful each design element is.
Audeze Maxwell’s Feature Set is Simple But Smart
Although a lot of what makes the Audeze Maxwell a top tier gaming headset is the audio output quality, the mic is solid as well. Built with a dedicated AI processor, the Maxwell filters out background noise to ensure your voice comes through clear and distinct when talking into the detachable boom mic. It’s not the type of mic that you would want to record a podcast with, but when in a Discord call or in-game party chat, the mic gets everything right. The background noise doesn’t become a distraction and your teammates can hear your callouts without any issue. There is also a mic built-into the left ear cup if you don’t want to use the detachable boom mic, but that one is a little more sensitive and is prone to background noise/hum.
When using the Audeze Maxwell headset, the 2.4GHz dongle is best for wireless low latency, which is excellent, but there is Bluetooth available as well. The headset does support multi-device connectivity, but it does not work simultaneously like some other headsets on the market. Instead, you will need to choose whether you hear the audio coming through the USB-C dongle or over Bluetooth, not both. That dual device connectivity is nice, but the Maxwell not offering it as an option isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker – just something worth considering.
Audio Cues and Battery Life are a Huge Plus
It might be a simple thing but the way that the Audeze Maxwell is set up is appreciated as well. Each of the important buttons like power or mute includes an audio cue so you know exactly what you are activating/pressing without removing the headset. It’s a nice little touch that takes a lot of the guesswork that sometimes comes with blindly pressing buttons on the underside of a headset’s earcups. The Maxwell will tell you that you are connected via USB and then if you double press the power button it will call out it is switching to Bluetooth, for example.
Audeze estimates that the Maxwell headset should offer close to 80 hours of battery life, which is astonishing given the sound quality. In our testing, we’ve not charged the headset after a few weeks of intermittent game time, so those estimates seem accurate. Crucially, the headset can get a day’s worth of play time just by charging for 20 minutes, making that battery life just as big of a selling point as the drivers.
Paring the Audeze Maxwell with Audeze’s audio app allows for updates as well as customization for audio profiles. Out of the box, the Maxwell sounds great but the app is there for those that love to tinker or who want to ensure the headset has the latest firmware. The app runs well and syncs with the headset as expected, which can sometimes be an issue, but was not the case here.
Conclusion: Audeze Maxwell Review
The phrase you get what you pay for can be used in a ton of different ways in tech, but with the Audeze Maxwell it represents the high quality audio and a considerate feature set that make up the headset’s overall package. For $299 (or $329 for the Xbox version) there’s no denying it is at the high end of gaming headsets, but putting the Maxwell on and playing a few games is enough to showcase what makes Audeze’s offering special. This is easily one of the best headsets for console or PC gaming on the market right now.
Audeze Maxwell Gaming Headset
The Audeze Maxwell Gaming Headset defies the notion that audiophile-grade headsets can’t be wireless or intended for gamers. The Maxwell simply leaves other wireless gaming headsets in the dust with its 90 mm planar magnetic drivers pumping out rumbling bass effects. The headset has a tank-like construction with a spring steel headband.
The Maxwell Gaming Headset is available in two versions compatible with PlayStation or Xbox consoles, with either variety perfect for PC gamers. With just a 20-minute charge, the wireless headset can endure 80 hours of gameplay.
- Microphone
- FILTER noise reduction, Detachable boom
- Compatibility
- PS4, PS5, Xbox, PC
- Surround Sound
- Dolby Atmos (Xbox Version) Tempest 3D (PlayStation Version)
- Weight
- 490 grams
- Battery Life
- 80 hours
- Frequency Response
- 10Hz – 50kHz
- Driver
- 90mm Planar Magnetic
- Incredible sound quality
- Built for comfort and stability
- Audio cues are a nice touch
- No true dual device connectivity
