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We've recently released our Test Bench 1.6 update for Headphones! Read the Latency R&D Article to learn more.

Audeze Maxwell Wireless Headphones Review

Tested using Methodology v1.6
Reviewed Apr 24, 2023 at 09:44 am
Latest change: Writing modified Mar 15, 2024 at 09:37 am
Audeze Maxwell Wireless Picture
7.9
Neutral Sound
7.0
Commute/Travel
6.8
Sports/Fitness
7.3
Office
7.8
Wireless Gaming
7.7
Wired Gaming
7.9
Phone Calls

The Audeze Maxwell Wireless are feature-packed gaming headphones that come in Xbox and PlayStation variants. They have a detachable boom mic as well as an integrated mic, support LDAC codec for streaming Hi-Res audio, and you can pair them with two different devices in many ways. However, what sets them apart from competitors like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless are their planar magnetic drivers, which help them reproduce a more extended bass, create a more immersive soundstage, and keep distortion low compared to more common dynamic drivers. This kind of driver is pretty heavy and can be fatiguing to wear over time. Planar magnetics are also more complex and harder to match; our model's L/R drivers have some phase mismatch, affecting the placement of objects in the stereo image.

Update 05/03/2023: We've concluded our investigation into our Audeze Maxwell measurements and have updated our results. For more details, please check out our article here.

Our Verdict

7.9 Neutral Sound

The Audeze Maxwell are very good for neutral sound. Out of the box, their default 'Audeze' EQ has a very neutral sound, ensuring adequate punch, thump, and boom, while vocals and instruments sound clear and natural. They have EQ presets available in their companion app, and the 'Immersive' EQ is even flatter and more neutral. These headphones also support LDAC, which is great if you want to stream Hi-Res audio via Bluetooth. Unfortunately, they're closed-back headphones, so their soundstage isn't very immersive or spacious.

Pros
  • EQ presets available.
  • Supports LDAC.
Cons
  • Prone to inconsistencies in audio delivery.
7.0 Commute/Travel

The Audeze Maxwell are gaming headphones, and while you can make them look more casual by detaching their boom mic, they're still heavy and bulky, which can be a deal breaker if you want to use them for commuting. They also don't block out much of the low rumble of bus and plane engines, and their fit can become fatiguing over time. That said, they have a very long battery life to last through long days on the go.

Pros
  • Great overall boom mic performance.
  • Outstanding battery life.
Cons
  • Disappointing noise isolation performance.
  • Not very portable.
6.8 Sports/Fitness

The Audeze Maxwell are gaming headphones and aren't the best choice for sports and fitness. They're heavy, bulky, and can easily fall off your head with moderate movement. On the upside, you can detach the boom mic to help minimize their gamer-centric design.

Pros
  • Outstanding battery life.
  • Well-built design.
Cons
  • Not very portable.
  • Not very stable and can fall off your head with moderate movement.
7.3 Office

The Audeze Maxwell are decent for office use if you don't mind the heavy, gamer-centric design. They have over 70 hours of continuous playback time and can be paired with your PC and smartphone simultaneously via several different connectivity options. While they lack noise cancelling, they can block out some mid-range noise like ambient chatter and a lot of high-pitched noise like the hum of AC fans. That said, their fit can be fatiguing to wear for long periods.

Pros
  • Great overall boom mic performance.
  • Supports multi-device pairing.
Cons
  • Disappointing noise isolation performance.
  • Prone to inconsistencies in audio delivery.
7.8 Wireless Gaming

The Audeze Maxwell are very good for wireless gaming. They come in Xbox and PlayStation variants, so it's important to ensure you get the right model for your needs. Their wireless dongle ensures low latency, so your audio and visuals stay in sync while gaming. They have a fairly neutral sound out of the box, but you can also use their companion software's EQ presets to adjust their sound to suit your tastes. If you like to game with others, their boom mic ensures your voice sounds clear and accurate, even if you're talking in noisy environments. You can pair the headphones with your console and smartphone simultaneously too.

Pros
  • Great overall boom mic performance.
  • EQ presets available.
  • Outstanding battery life.
  • Well-built design.
  • Low non-Bluetooth wireless latency.
Cons
  • Prone to inconsistencies in audio delivery.
7.7 Wired Gaming

The Audeze Maxwell are very good for wired gaming. You can use either variant of these headphones via analog or wired USB on PCs, but if you're gaming on console, it's better to stick to the model specific to that console system. Otherwise, you may encounter issues getting controls to work. In addition, there's some feedback present when using the analog cable, and the mic can pick it up, which is a little disappointing. On the upside, the headphones have a neutral sound that most users will enjoy, and their boom mic offers a great overall performance, ensuring you're heard clearly, even in noisy environments.

Pros
  • Great overall boom mic performance.
  • EQ presets available.
  • Well-built design.
Cons
  • Prone to inconsistencies in audio delivery.
7.9 Phone Calls

The Audeze Maxwell are very good for phone calls. Using their boom mic, your voice sounds clear and natural, even if you're calling from a noisy environment like a busy street. These headphones also have an integrated mic for a more casual look, and although it doesn't perform as well as the boom mic, your voice is still intelligible to others on the line. It has some trouble separating speech from noise, so if you want to use this mic to take calls, it's best to do so from a quieter environment. These over-ears also lack noise cancelling and have a hard time reducing ambient sound around you.

Pros
  • Great overall boom mic performance.
  • Outstanding battery life.
Cons
  • Disappointing noise isolation performance.
  • 7.9 Neutral Sound
  • 7.0 Commute/Travel
  • 6.8 Sports/Fitness
  • 7.3 Office
  • 7.8 Wireless Gaming
  • 7.7 Wired Gaming
  • 7.9 Phone Calls
  1. Updated Mar 15, 2024: We've added a comparison between these headphones and the Astro A50 X in Base/Dock.
  2. Updated Mar 01, 2024: This review was updated to compare the Wired Connection with the Beyerdynamic MMX 300 (2nd Generation).
  3. Updated Feb 21, 2024: In response to community feedback, we retested the headphones to see if they support spatial audio. We've also added a description of Immerse Gaming Hive, which is a compatible third-party app in Virtual Soundstage.
  4. Updated Nov 02, 2023: The following test groups have been updated following TB 1.6: Wired Connection, Bluetooth Connection, and Wireless Connection (Dongle). There have also been text changes made throughout the review, including to the usages and product comparisons to match these results.
  5. Updated Nov 02, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.6 , which updates how we measure latency. We've updated and renamed the following test groups: Wired Connection, Bluetooth Connection, and Wireless Connection (Dongle). We've also added new codec latency measurements and provided an audio sample of recorded latency.
  6. Updated Jul 12, 2023: We have added the 'Ultraviolet Edition' to Differences Between Sizes and Variants.
  7. Updated Jul 11, 2023: We've added a comparison between these headphones and the Logitech G PRO X 2 LIGHTSPEED Wireless in Comfort.
  8. Updated Jun 05, 2023: We've added a comparison between these headphones and the Turtle Beath Stealth Pro Wireless PS/Xbox in Noise Isolation.
  9. Updated May 11, 2023: We have updated the Bluetooth to reflect their Bluetooth LE, LC3, and LC3+ support, but the scoring of this test hasn't changed. We have also retested PlayStation Compatibility to add that you can receive full audio and mic support on PS4 via Non-BT Wireless. We've also shortened the Imaging text, and have linked to our investigation in order to cover phase response.
  10. Updated May 03, 2023: We've added a link to our response to Audeze in the review introduction. Following our investigation, we have retested Imaging, non-Bluetooth Wireless, and Wired. This has changed the 'Non-BT Latency' and 'Analog/USB Audio Latency' values, and we have updated our review.
  11. Updated Apr 28, 2023: We have updated the introduction of this review with a note regarding our ongoing investigation.
  12. Updated Apr 26, 2023: We originally reported that these headphones support Bluetooth version 5.0 but this is incorrect. We have updated Bluetooth with Bluetooth version '5.3'.
  13. Updated Apr 25, 2023: We have clarified our Passive Soundstage text to dive further in depth regarding the headphones' closed-back, planar magnetic design and how this affects the soundstage.
  14. Updated Apr 24, 2023: Review published.
  15. Updated Apr 11, 2023: Early access published.
  16. Updated Apr 04, 2023: Our testers have started testing this product.
  17. Updated Mar 20, 2023: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  18. Updated Feb 01, 2023: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

The Audeze Maxwell come in two console-locked variants: 'Xbox' and 'PlayStation'. We tested the 'Xbox' variant. Both variants come in the 'Black' colorway. There's also an 'Ultraviolet Edition' that's designed for Xbox, released August 15th, 2023. This model has a glossy electroplated color scheme that transitions from blue to pink. Since it's only a cosmetic change, we expect our results to be valid for this variant.

If you encounter another variant of these headphones, please let us know in the forums.

Compared To Other Headphones

The Audeze Maxwell are premium planar magnetic headphones that come in PlayStation and Xbox variants. Like the Audeze Penrose Wireless and Audeze Mobius, they're equipped with a boom mic as well as an integrated mic to suit your usage. They also have a pretty neutral sound out of the box, and there are EQ presets available in their companion app to help you get the best sound. They're pretty heavy compared to other gaming headphones, which can be a drawback during long gaming sessions. They're not as customizable as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless or the Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019 either, but they offer robust connectivity options and have an exceptionally long continuous playback time.

If you're looking for more headphones, check out our recommendations for the best gaming headsets, the best headsets for Xbox Series X/S, and the best wireless gaming headsets.

Audeze Penrose Wireless

The Audeze Maxwell Wireless have the edge over the Audeze Penrose Wireless. The Maxwell are better built, have a more neutral sound, which some users may prefer, and have a better overall mic performance, which is good if you want to game with others. They also have an exceptionally longer continuous battery life and support LDAC, which is nice if you want to stream Hi-Res content. However, the Penrose are more comfortable as they weigh less. 

Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019

The Audeze Maxwell Wireless have a slight edge over the Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019. While both headphones are well-built, the Audeze have a significantly longer continuous battery life, and support Bluetooth. They have a slightly more neutral sound profile out of the box, which some users may prefer, and they can also be used wired via USB or analog too. However, the Astro are more comfortable, their boom mic offers a better overall performance, and have a more immersive passive soundstage. 

Audeze Mobius

The Audeze Maxwell Wireless are a solid step up from the Audeze Mobius. The Maxwell are better-built, have a more neutral sound profile out of the box, which some users may prefer, their continuous battery life is significantly longer lasting, and you can connect them with up to two devices at a time. They also support non-Bluetooth wireless via their wireless dongle for a low latency gaming experience. In contrast, the Mobius are more comfortable and have a better overall boom mic performance.

Turtle Beach Stealth Pro Wireless

The Audeze Maxwell Wireless are better gaming headphones than the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro Wireless as they're more versatile. The Audeze can be used via analog and wired USB and wirelessly with full audio and mic compatibility. They also support codecs like LC3, LC3+, and LDAC, which is great if you like to listen to high-quality audio. Overall, they have a flatter, more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer compared to the boomy, bassy sound of the Turtle Beach. They have a better, more immersive passive soundstage, too, their boom mic offers a superior overall performance, and they have a significantly longer continuous playback time. They also have lower wireless latency via their dongle, ensuring your audio and visuals are in sync. Latency varies depending on your setup; even though we noticed some audio lag when using the Turtle Beach on PC, which could hinder your gameplay, we didn't notice it via console. The Turtle Beach are also more comfortable since they weigh less and have ANC, which is handy if you want to block out background noise.

Focal Bathys Wireless

The Focal Bathys Wireless and the Audeze Maxwell Wireless are both premium headphones with neutral sound profiles and very good build quality, but they prioritize different features. For on-the-go, casual use, the Focal perform better, but the Audeze are better suited for gaming. The Audeze have a dedicated boom microphone which produces more natural-sounding speech with better noise handling, and they have a wired or wireless console and PC compatibility. While the Focal can be used for wireless gaming on PCs, if you're using aptX Adaptive, their latency via this connection is higher than the Audeze's when using the wireless dongle. You can use their wired USB-C connection with full audio and mic compatibility, though.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless [PC, PS, Xbox]

The Audeze Maxwell Wireless are better overall headphones than the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless [PC, PS, Xbox]. While both headphones are similarly comfortable and well-built, the Audeze have a more neutral sound out of the box, which some users may prefer, and have a more robust virtual soundstage feature. Their boom mic also offers better overall performance, and they have significantly longer continuous battery life. However, the SteelSeries have a fair noise cancelling system, which can be handy if you like to game in noisy environments. Their wireless transmitter also puts controls like EQ and sidetone at your fingertips.

Beyerdynamic MMX 300 (2nd Generation)

The Beyerdynamic MMX 300 (2nd Generation) and Audeze Maxwell Wireless are both manufactured with audio enthusiasts in mind, with great sounding mics and not particularly impressive noise isolation, but they have key differences. You can only use the Beyerdynamic wired, and their mic is permanently affixed. They sound neutral and bright and feel more comfortable because they weigh less, given that they lack batteries and use dynamic drivers. In contrast, the Audeze work wirelessly and wired, with a detachable mic. They sound more neutral with slightly less rumble in the bass. Their planar drivers add heft to the overall headphones as well.

Logitech G PRO X 2 LIGHTSPEED Wireless

The Audeze Maxwell Wireless are slightly better gaming headphones than the Logitech G PRO X 2 LIGHTSPEED Wireless. While both headsets have a premium, well-built design, the Audeze come in console-specific variants to suit your needs. They have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, their overall microphone performance is better, and they support multi-device pairing, which is handy if you want to game from your console and receive audio from your smartphone simultaneously. If you want to use the headphones more casually, they also support higher audio-quality Bluetooth codecs like LC3, LC3+, and LDAC. However, the Logitech are more comfortable, and their app offers more customization features.

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Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Style
Type Over-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless Yes
Transducer Planar Magnetic

The Audeze Maxwell are much more understated in design than the Audeze Penrose Wireless and Audeze Mobius, with mostly black satin design. They have a removable boom mic as well as an integrated mic to help them transition into more casual environments. Although these headphones come in either an 'Xbox' or 'PlayStation' variant, both models have the same black design.

7.0
Design
Comfort
Weight 1.07 lbs
Clamping Force
1.1 lbs

These headphones are decently comfortable. They have ear cups that are spacious and well-padded. However, their planar magnetic drivers are heavy, which adds to their total weight. As a result, they're heavier than the Audeze Penrose Wireless and dynamic gaming headsets like the Logitech G PRO X 2 LIGHTSPEED Wireless. The manufacturer offsets the weight by switching from a more traditional headband to a leather ski-band design, which helps distribute the weight more evenly on your head. The headband has three different settings, but if you're between sizes, it can be hard to get the right fit. While you can adjust it by moving only one band on either side of the ear cups, this could also disrupt the seal of the headphones. Unfortunately, even with the ski-band headband, the headphones can cause fatigue over time.

7.6
Design
Controls
OS Compatibility
Not OS specific
Ease Of Use Good
Feedback Good
Call/Music Control Yes
Volume Control Yes
Microphone Control Mute/Unmute
Channel Mixing
Yes
Noise Cancelling Control No
Talk-Through
No
Additional Controls Bluetooth + Multi function

The Audeze Maxwell have good physical controls. They're located on the left ear cup and are easy to use. There are voice prompts as well as chimes to let you know when you're changing settings. There's also an LED indicator light to let you know whether you're connected via dongle or Bluetooth, in pairing mode, and the status of the battery. That said, the volume and game chat wheels feel the same, and it can be hard to tell them apart when you're wearing them.

Mic mute:

  • Slide up and down: Mutes and unmutes the mic.

AI Noise Reduction button:

  • Single press: Turns the mic's noise reduction on and off.

Volume wheel:

  • Scroll up or down: Raises or lowers the volume.
  • Single press + scroll up or down: Skips or returns to the previous track.
  • Double press: Cycles through EQ presets.

Game chat wheel:

  • Scroll up or down: Adjusts the game/chat mix.
  • Single press + scroll up or down: Adjusts the sidetone.
  • Double press: Turns sidetone on and off.

5.3
Design
Portability
L 10.2" (26.0 cm)
W 9.1" (23.0 cm)
H 2.4" (6.0 cm)
Volume 220.12 in³ (3,607.10 cm³)
Transmitter Required No

These headphones are pretty bulky and aren't intended for use on the go. Their ear cups can swivel to lay flat to help reduce their footprint, but they still take up space in your bag. They also lack a carrying case to protect the headphones when on the go.

0
Design
Case
Type No case
L N/A
W N/A
H N/A
Volume N/A
8.0
Design
Build Quality

The Audeze Maxwell's build quality is great. These premium over-ears are made of a combination of materials and feel more sturdy than the Audeze Penrose Wireless and Audeze Mobius. The faux leather ear cups are spacious, deep, and detachable. The headband frame is also reinforced with metal, while the headband is made from leather. That said, each time you readjust the headband, it leaves behind leathery residue, and there are only three adjustment levels, which can make it harder to get a good fit. That said, this design isn't meant to be adjusted over and over again, and once you get a good fit, you won't have to adjust it again.

6.0
Design
Stability

These headphones aren't the most stable; although they have a high clamping force, they weigh a lot. However, they'll stay in place if you're gaming at your desk or computer. If you want to use them while moving, they can easily fall off your head, even with moderate head movements.

Design
Headshots 1
Design
Headshots 2
Design
Top
Design
In The Box

  • Audeze Maxwell headphones
  • 1/8" TRRS cable
  • USB-C to USB-C cable
  • USB-C dongle
  • USB-C to USB-A adapter
  • Detachable boom mic with filter
  • Manuals

Sound
Sound
Sound Profile
Bass Amount
-1.8 dB
Treble Amount
-1.76 dB

Using the 'Audeze' EQ, which is the default setting, the Audeze Maxwell have a neutral sound profile, making them well-suited for most uses. Sound effects like explosions and gunfire are present, while dialogue and instruments are clear, natural, and accurate. That said, if you prefer a different sound, their companion app offers a graphic EQ and presets to help you customize their sound to your liking.

If you're looking for an even more neutral sound, then you'll want to check out their 'Immersive' EQ's Sound Profile and Raw Frequency Response. This EQ helps level the bass and treble amount even further, which some users may prefer.

6.4
Sound
Frequency Response Consistency
Avg. Std. Deviation
0.77 dB

The frequency response consistency is mediocre. The leather headband has a limited range of adjustment due to it only having three levels, making it difficult to get a good fit during our human passes. As a result, we had to adjust one side to be smaller than the other side to achieve a proper fitting. Overall, these headphones are prone to inconsistencies in bass and treble delivery. You may also notice a drop in bass if you have thick hair or wear glasses.

Sound
Raw Frequency Response
9.1
Sound
Bass Accuracy
Std. Err.
1.14 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
27.09 Hz
Low-Bass
-1.91 dB
Mid-Bass
-0.49 dB
High-Bass
-0.37 dB

The bass accuracy is outstanding. Although they're light on thump and rumble, the rest of the range is fairly flat and even, ensuring that sound effects like footsteps or weaponry clinking in Bayonetta 3 are clear and present in your gameplay.

9.3
Sound
Mid Accuracy
Std. Err.
0.92 dB
Low-Mid
0.35 dB
Mid-Mid
-0.69 dB
High-Mid
0.3 dB

These headphones have fantastic mid accuracy. This range is very flat and neutral, so dialogue between characters and instruments in the soundtrack of the finale of Final Fantasy VII: Remake sound clear, natural, and accurate.

8.2
Sound
Treble Accuracy
Std. Err.
2.71 dB
Low-Treble
-0.76 dB
Mid-Treble
-2.47 dB
High-Treble
-7.36 dB

The treble accuracy is great. The range is a little underemphasized, so dialogue and instruments are a little veiled, while sibilants are dull. However, this roll-off is somewhat minor.

8.4
Sound
Peaks/Dips
Peaks
1.16 dB
Dips
0.54 dB

The Auzede Maxwell's peaks and dips performance is great. Overall, there aren't many significant peaks and dips. A small peak in the low-bass adds thump and rumble to the mix, while another between the high-mid to low-treble makes dialogue and instruments bright. The uneven mid-treble turns sibilants alternatingly dull and piercing.

5.7
Sound
Imaging
Weighted Group Delay
0.29
Weighted Phase Mismatch
75.26
Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
1.4
Weighted Frequency Mismatch
2.09

Planar magnetic drivers such as those used in these headphones differ from more commonly found dynamic drivers. Their design is more complex, making them more prone to L/R driver mismatch than dynamic drivers, and can have more variance from unit to unit. Audeze usually has good quality control and ergonomics, and our unit's L/R drivers are well-matched in group delay, ensuring tight bass and transparent treble reproduction. They're also well-matched in amplitude and frequency response, ensuring a stable stereo soundstage.

However, there's some phase mismatch present, and is audible in subjective listening, as male voices, in particular, sound recessed and incorrectly placed in the soundstage. There's also some rattling and warping in the low-bass, affecting the soundstage's quality. For more information regarding our assessment and retest of phase response, you can check out our investigation article here. It's worth noting that imaging varies between units, but if you have experienced this issue, please let us know in the forums.

5.3
Sound
Passive Soundstage
PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
3.5 dB
PRTF Size (Avg.)
4.08 dB
PRTF Distance
11.08 dB
Openness
4.5
Acoustic Space Excitation
3.0

The Audeze Maxwell's passive soundstage is sub-par, mostly due to their closed-back design. Their soundstage doesn't feel very spacious or immersive compared to open-backs like the Drop + Sennheiser/EPOS PC38X, and they struggle to create an open, out-of-head listening experience. However, their soundstage feels more spacious and wide than the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. It's likely in part due to their planar magnetic drivers, which can create a broader wave front than dynamic drivers to create a better representation of the stereo image.

4.1
Sound
Virtual Soundstage
Head Modeling
On/Off
Speaker Modeling
On/Off
Room Ambience
No
Head Tracking
No
Virtual Surround
Dolby Atmos

The Xbox variant comes with a Dolby Atmos subscription included in the box, which works on Xbox and PC. This feature offers EQ presets with their own spatial settings to help create a more immersive gaming experience. Unfortunately, if you have the PlayStation variant, you must buy this subscription separately. While the included AudezeHQ app does not have spatial audio, you can purchase the compatible third-party app, Immerse Gaming Hive for PC to gain the feature. This is a separate subscription fee not included when you buy the headphones to personalize your surround sound experience. The added features include sound optimization that analyzes photos of your ears and their unique shape and EQ presets for specific game genres.

7.5
Sound
Weighted Harmonic Distortion
WHD @ 90
0.361
WHD @ 100
0.142

The Audeze Maxwell's weighted harmonic distortion performance is good. There's some distortion present, noticeably in the right driver's low-bass and in both drivers in the mid-treble range at moderate volumes. Both peaks are narrow and can be hard to hear with real-life content. The rest of the frequencies fall within good limits, which results in mostly clear and pure audio reproduction.

Sound
Test Settings
Firmware
1.0.1.38
Power
On
Connection
Wireless (Proprietary)
Codec
PCM, 24-bit, 48kHz
EQ
Audeze
ANC
No ANC
Tip/Pad
Default
Microphone
Boom

These are the settings used to test these headphones. Our results are only valid when used in this configuration.

Isolation
5.4
Isolation
Noise Isolation
Isolation Audio
Overall Attenuation
-16.42 dB
Noise Cancelling No
Bass
0.27 dB
Mid
-13.4 dB
Treble
-37.33 dB

The noise isolation performance is disappointing, but these headphones aren't designed to block out a lot of sound. They won't reduce any of the low rumbles of traffic from an open window. That said, they can reduce some ambient chatter and do a significantly better job of cutting down the high-pitch whirl of computer fans. If you're looking for gaming headphones with a better noise isolation performance and with ANC, check out the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro Wireless PS/Xbox instead.

7.4
Isolation
Leakage
Leakage Audio
Overall Leakage @ 1ft
37.39 dB

The leakage performance is decent. Leakage is mostly spread in the mid range and sounds somewhat full. If you like to crank up the volume while gaming, others around you will hear it in a quiet space like a living room. It isn't so noticeable in noisier places, though.

Microphone
Microphone
Microphone Style
Integrated
Yes
In-Line
No
Boom
Yes
Detachable Boom
Yes
Mic Yes

This headset has two mics: a detachable boom mic and an integrated mic. The detachable boom mic is quite flexible, but if you need to adjust it, it's best to do so from its base as the mic can easily fall down.

7.5
Microphone
Recording Quality
Recorded Speech
LFE
89.8 Hz
FR Std. Dev.
3.84 dB
HFE
6,088.74 Hz
Weighted THD
0.307
Gain
-6.85 dB

The boom mic has good recording quality. Your voice sounds very clear, making the mic a solid choice if you like to game with others.

The integrated mic also captures your voice very clearly, and you can hear this mic's recorded speech file here. Whoever's on the other end of the line will hear you well.

9.0
Microphone
Noise Handling
SpNR
42.68 dB
Noise Gate
On/Off Toggle
Speech + Pink Noise Handling
9.0
Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample
Speech + Subway Noise Handling
9.0
Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample

The boom mic's noise handling performance is outstanding. You'll be heard clearly whether you're talking in a noisy environment like a gaming tournament or chatting with friends at home.

The integrated mic doesn't perform quite as well as the boom mic, especially with loud noise like a subway. You can hear our recordings of 'Speech + Pink Noise' and 'Speech + Subway Noise'. Your voice is drowned out by loud sound, so if you want to take a call using the integrated mic, it's best to do so from a quieter environment.

Active Features
9.0
Active Features
Battery
Battery Type
Rechargable
Continuous Battery Life
77.4 hrs
Additional Charges
0.0
Total Battery Life
77.4 hrs
Charge Time
3.2 hrs
Power-Saving Feature
Auto-Off Timer
Audio While Charging
Yes
Passive Playback
No
Charging Port USB-C

The Audeze Maxwell have outstanding battery performance. The manufacturer advertises them to last 80 hours at 80dB, and we measured a similar amount, which means you can game multiple days in a row without recharging them. Battery life depends on usage and volume, though. Luckily, they have an auto-off timer to help conserve battery life when not in use. The manufacturer also advertises them to deliver 20-30 hours of play time after charging for 20 minutes.

7.0
Active Features
App Support
App Name AudezeHQ
iOS Yes
Android Yes
macOS Yes
Windows Yes
Equalizer
Presets
ANC Control
No
Mic Control Adjustable Level
Room Effects
No
Playback Control
No
Button Mapping No
Surround Support
No

The Audeze HQ app is decent. You can also see a video of how it works here. Unlike most gaming companion software, you can use it on mobile devices as well as on PCs. Both pieces of software offer the same level of controls and features, too. There are a few EQ presets for you to choose from, but you can also access the game/chat mixers, toggle the sidetone on/off, and adjust the sidetone's level.

Connectivity
8.4
Connectivity
Wired Connection
Analog Audio
Yes
USB Audio
USB-C
Detachable
Yes
Length
4.07 ft (1.24 m)
Connector
1/8" TRS
Latency - Analog
9.1 ms
Latency - USB
13.0 ms
Recorded Latency
Recorded Latency Connection Analog

These headphones come with a 1/8" TRS cable, a USB-C to USB-C audio/charging cable, and a USB-A to USB-C adapter, also for audio and charging. The USB-C cable has fairly low latency, ensuring your audio and visuals stay in sync while gaming.

While we originally measured somewhat high latency via wired USB, we launched an investigation into our latency measurements, and created headphones test bench 1.6 to address these issues. These results are more accurate and better represent what you can expect from your setup. For a more straightforward gaming headset that retains analog connectivity and controls, the Beyerdynamic MMX 300 (2nd Generation) are a stripped-back option.

8.9
Connectivity
Bluetooth Connection
Bluetooth Version
5.3
Multi-Device Pairing
2 Devices
Quick Pair (Android)
Yes
Quick Pair (iOS)
No
Line Of Sight Range
334.65 ft (102.00 m)
Latency - SBC
186 ms
Latency - aptX
N/A
Latency - aptX Adaptive (High Quality)
N/A
Latency - aptX Adaptive (Low Latency)
N/A
Latency - LDAC
236 ms
Recorded Latency
Recorded Latency Codec SBC
AAC Support
Yes

The Audeze Maxwell have excellent Bluetooth connectivity. They support Bluetooth version 5.3 and can be quick paired with your Android device. You can also connect these headphones with up to two devices in the following ways: via two Bluetooth devices; a device connected via Bluetooth and another connected via dongle; USB wired and Bluetooth (simultaneously); and analog and Bluetooth (simultaneously). You'll need to manually switch audio between devices for any connection that isn't simultaneous, as you can't play audio at the same time. The headphones will also prioritize the output path and automatically switch to Bluetooth (HFP), dongle, Bluetooth (A2DP), USB-C, or analog, depending on the connection.

These headphones support Bluetooth LE Audio, which is a wireless standard that's designed with low power consumption in mind. This wireless standard also supports LC3 and LC3+ codecs, both of which offer more efficient audio transmission with higher audio quality. However, we're not currently able to adequately test these codecs. They also support LDAC codec, which is a proprietary codec from Sony for streaming Hi-Res content. This codec has high latency, so it isn't the best choice for streaming video; audio lag won't be noticeable if you're only listening to audio, though. That said, these headphones also have high latency via SBC on PCs, so you'll be better off using the wireless dongle for gaming instead. Keep in mind that some apps and devices compensate for latency, though.

8.8
Connectivity
Wireless Connection (Dongle)
Line Of Sight Range
173.88 ft (53.00 m)
Latency - Dongle
23 ms
Recorded Latency

These headphones have excellent wireless dongle connectivity. This ensures that your audio and visuals stay in sync while gaming.

In our original review, we noticed higher-than-expected latency using the dongle. The manufacturer claims the results should be closer to 20 ms, though, so we launched an investigation into our latency measurements, and created headphones test bench 1.6 to address these issues. These results are more accurate and better represent what you can expect from your setup.

Connectivity
PC Compatibility
Analog
Audio + Microphone
Wired USB
Audio + Microphone
Non-BT Wireless
Audio + Microphone

The Audeze Maxwell Xbox have full audio and mic compatibility with PCs, whether you're using Bluetooth, the dongle, or even their analog or USB cable.

Connectivity
PlayStation Compatibility
PS4 Analog
Audio + Microphone
PS4 Wired USB
Audio + Microphone
PS4 Non-BT Wireless
Audio + Microphone
PS5 Analog
Audio + Microphone
PS5 Wired USB
Audio + Microphone
PS5 Non-BT Wireless
Audio + Microphone

The Audeze Maxwell comes in two console-specific variants: Xbox and PlayStation. The manufacturer states in their FAQ section that Xbox variant isn't officially supported on this console, which can result in 'some limitations in volume control and other possible loss of functionality'. They also recommend that you use the correct variant with each console.

We were still able to get our Xbox variant to work with the PS4 and PS5 via analog, non-Bluetooth wireless, and wired USB with full audio and mic compatibility. There's slight static from the drivers when connected via analog, and the mic can pick up the feedback, though. To use the headphones wirelessly, you'll need to set the USB dongle to 'PC mode' for mic and audio to work. However, you lose game/chat mix controls and will be limited in volume control. You can use PS5 Audio Tempest though, which can help make your audio seem more immersive.

If you have the PlayStation variant of this console, you can connect these headphones with these consoles in every way with full compatibility. You won't lose out on features, either.

Connectivity
Xbox Compatibility
Xbox One Analog
Audio + Microphone
Xbox One Wired USB
No
Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
Audio + Microphone
Xbox Series X|S Analog
Audio + Microphone
Xbox Series X|S Wired USB
No
Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless
Audio + Microphone

The Audeze Maxwell Xbox have full audio and mic compatibility when connected via analog or non-Bluetooth wireless. That said, some users have experienced issues connecting this variant to their Xbox Series X|S consoles. It also happened to us during testing, but resetting the console seemed to eliminate the issue. If you're using them via analog, there's slight static coming from the drivers, which the mic can pick up.

The PlayStation variant of these headphones aren't officially supported on this console. While you can connect them via analog with full audio and mic compatibility, you may lose out on other features.

3.4
Connectivity
Base/Dock
Type
Wireless USB Dongle
USB Input
Yes
Line In
No
Line Out
No
Optical Input
No
RCA Input
No
Dock Charging
No
Power Supply
USB

The Auzede Maxwell comes with a wireless USB dongle. Depending on your variant, it offers full audio and mic compatibility with either the Xbox or PlayStation consoles. However, if you own multiple consoles and want to switch between them, it's worth looking at the Astro A50 X Wireless instead, which let you switch between different systems with the click of a button.