Products
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro
Audeze Maxwell
Tested using Methodology v2.0
Updated Jan 26, 2026 08:09 PM
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Tested using Methodology v2.0
Updated Jan 13, 2026 02:18 PM
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TypeOver-ear
Noise CancellingNo
EnclosureClosed-Back
Bass Amount
Emphasized (4 dB)
WirelessNo
TransducerDynamic
Treble Amount
Balanced (0 dB)
MicYes
Sound Signature
Warm
TypeOver-ear
Noise CancellingNo
EnclosureClosed-Back
Bass Amount
Slightly Emphasized (2 dB)
WirelessYes
TransducerPlanar Magnetic
Treble Amount
Balanced (-1 dB)
MicYes
Sound Signature
Warm
Our Verdict
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro
Audeze Maxwell
The Audeze Maxwell are better than the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro. The Audeze are wireless gaming headphones with better build quality. They come with a boom mic for gaming and an integrated mic for more casual use. Their boom mic has better noise handling for when you're gaming in noisy environments, and the headphones support Bluetooth as well as non-Bluetooth wireless connections. On the other hand, the SteelSeries are wired headphones. They have a more comfortable fit for most people and better mic recording quality.
Variants
- Arctis Nova Pro (Black)
- Arctis Nova Pro for Xbox (Black)
- Maxwell (Dark Gray - PlayStation)
- Maxwell (Dark Gray - Xbox)
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Black
Arctis Nova Pro
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Dark Gray - PlayStation
Maxwell
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Black
Arctis Nova Pro for Xbox
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Dark Gray - Xbox
Maxwell
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Main Differences for
Sports And Fitness
Sports And Fitness
Threshold
Sports And Fitness
5.8
6.6
Bluetooth Connection
0.0
8.9
Stability
6.5
6.0
Comfort
7.5
7.0
Portability
6.0
5.3
Full Comparison
Sound
Sound Profile
Sound Profile
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Normalization Frequency
600 Hz
400 Hz
Bass Amount
Emphasized (4 dB)
Slightly Emphasized (2 dB)
Treble Amount
Balanced (0 dB)
Balanced (-1 dB)
Sound Signature
Warm
Warm
Frequency Response Consistency
4.7
5.2
Consistency L
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Consistency R
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Std. Deviation
2.02 dB
1.68 dB
Raw Frequency Response
Raw FR L
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Raw FR R
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Bass Profile: Target Compliance
7.8
9.2
Bass Profile: Target Compliance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
RMS Deviation From Target
4.7 dB
2.7 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
20 Hz
20 Hz
Low Bass
4.26 dB
1.75 dB
Mid Bass
4.1 dB
2.54 dB
High Bass
4.59 dB
0.69 dB
Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance
8.9
9.0
Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
RMS Deviation From Target
1.51 dB
1.4 dB
Low Mid
-1.44 dB
-1.41 dB
Mid-Mid
0.79 dB
-0.68 dB
High Mid
1.57 dB
0.44 dB
Treble Profile: Target Compliance
6.5
9.8
Treble Profile: Target Compliance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
RMS Deviation From Target
4.7 dB
1.69 dB
Low Treble
-2.65 dB
-1.32 dB
Mid Treble
3.08 dB
-0.71 dB
High Treble
-3.76 dB
-2.37 dB
Peaks/Dips
6.8
7.8
Peaks/Dips Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Peaks
1.78 dB
1.24 dB
Dips
2.55 dB
1.42 dB
Stereo Mismatch
8.4
5.2
Frequency Response Mismatch
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Phase Response Mismatch
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
0.06 dB
1.64 dB
Weighted Frequency Response Mismatch
1.10 dB
1.46 dB
Weighted Phase Mismatch
2.1°
4.3°
Group Delay
4.0
2.1
Group Delay
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Weighted Group Delay
1.8 ms
2.4 ms
Cumulative Spectral Decay
CSD
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
PRTF
7.2
6.2
PRTF
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
PRTF Accuracy (RMS Deviation)
3.04 dB
3.5 dB
PRTF Size (Avg.)
7.12 dB
4.08 dB
PRTF Distance
13.26 dB
11.08 dB
Harmonic Distortion
8.7
8.9
Harmonics Levels
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
THD Ratio
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
WHD @ 94 dB SPL
0.11%
0.10%
WHD @ 104 dB SPL
0.28%
0.22%
Electrical Aspects
Impedance
Preview Graph
Sensitivity @1kHz-1V
117.6 dB SPL
N/A
Bluetooth Max SPL
N/A
107.9 dB
Virtual Soundstage
2.0
4.1
Virtual Soundstage
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Head Modeling
No
On/Off
Speaker Modeling
On/Off
On/Off
Room Ambience
No
No
Head Tracking
No
No
Virtual Surround
Windows Sonic Spatial Audio
Dolby Atmos
Test Settings
Firmware
2.4.0
1.0.1.74
Power
USB
On
Connection
USB
Wireless (Proprietary)
Codec
PCM, 24-bit, 48kHz
PCM, 24-bit, 48kHz
Test Instrument
Audio Precision APx517B
Audio Precision APx517B
EQ
Default
Audeze
ANC
No ANC
No ANC
Tip/Pad
Default
Default
Microphone
Boom
Boom
Design
Style
Design Picture 2
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Type
Over-ear
Over-ear
Enclosure
Closed-Back
Closed-Back
Wireless
No
Yes
Transducer
Dynamic
Planar Magnetic
Comfort
7.5
7.0
Comfort Picture
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Weight
0.66 lbs
1.07 lbs
Clamping Force
1 lbs
1.1 lbs
Controls
6.2
7.6
Controls Picture
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
OS Compatibility
Not OS specific
Not OS specific
Ease Of Use
Good
Good
Feedback
Good
Good
Call/Music Control
No
Yes
Volume Control
Yes
Yes
Microphone Control
Mute/Unmute
Mute/Unmute
Channel Mixing
Yes
Yes
Noise Cancelling Control
No
No
Talk-Through
No
No
Additional Controls
Multi function
Bluetooth + Multi function
Portability
6.0
5.3
Portability Picture
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
L
7.5" (19.0 cm)
10.2" (26.0 cm)
W
6.7" (17.0 cm)
9.1" (23.0 cm)
H
2.0" (5.1 cm)
2.4" (6.0 cm)
Volume
100.51 in³ (1,647.00 cm³)
220.12 in³ (3,607.10 cm³)
Transmitter Required
No
No
Case
5.0
0.0
Case Picture
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Type
Pouch
No case
L
N/A
N/A
W
N/A
N/A
H
N/A
N/A
Volume
N/A
N/A
Build Quality
7.5
8.0
Build Quality Picture
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Stability
6.5
6.0
Stability Picture
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Headshots 1
Angled Picture
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Side Picture
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Headshots 2
Front Picture
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Rear Picture
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Top
Top Picture
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
In The Box
In The Box Picture
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Isolation
Noise Isolation - Full Range
5.1
5.3
Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Noise Cancelling
No
No
Overall Attenuation
-12.39 dB
-12.98 dB
Bass
4.08 dB
3.77 dB
Mid
-12.57 dB
-13.49 dB
Treble
-32.16 dB
-32.74 dB
Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios
4.1
4.4
Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Airplane Noise Attenuation
-8.64 dB
-9.48 dB
Airplane Noise Isolation Audio
Office Noise Attenuation
-9.21 dB
-9.99 dB
Office Noise Isolation Audio
Street Noise Attenuation
-10.27 dB
-11.12 dB
Street Noise Isolation Audio
Noise Isolation - Voice Handling
Female Voice 1
Male Voice 1
Female Voice 2
Male Voice 2
ANC Wind Handling
ANC Wind Handling Graph
ANC Wind Noise
N/A
N/A
Leakage
7.8
7.4
Leakage
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Leakage Audio
Overall Leakage @ 1ft
34.87 dB
37.39 dB
Microphone
Microphone Style
Integrated
No
Yes
In-Line
No
No
Boom
Yes
Yes
Detachable Boom
No
Yes
Mic
Yes
Yes
Recording Quality
8.5
7.5
Microphone Frequency Response
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Recorded Speech
LFE
20 Hz
89.8 Hz
FR Std. Dev.
3.03 dB
3.84 dB
HFE
9,255.5 Hz
6,088.74 Hz
Weighted THD
0.097
0.307
Gain
21.47 dB
-6.85 dB
Noise Handling
7.2
9.0
SpNR
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
SpNR
17.52 dB
42.68 dB
Noise Gate
On/Off Toggle
On/Off Toggle
Speech + Pink Noise Handling
7.0
9.0
Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample
Speech + Subway Noise Handling
7.5
9.0
Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample
Active Features
Battery
0.0
9.0
Battery Type
No Battery
Rechargable
Continuous Battery Life
N/A
77.4 hrs
Additional Charges
N/A
0.0
Total Battery Life
N/A
77.4 hrs
Charge Time
N/A
3.2 hrs
Power-Saving Feature
No
Auto-Off Timer
Audio While Charging
No
Yes
Passive Playback
Passive Headphone
No
Charging Port
None
USB-C
App Support
8.5
7.0
App Picture
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
App Name
Steelseries GG
AudezeHQ
iOS
No
Yes
Android
No
Yes
macOS
Yes
Yes
Windows
Yes
Yes
Equalizer
Parametric + Presets
Graphic + Presets
ANC Control
No
No
Mic Control
Adjustable Level
Adjustable Level
Room Effects
No
No
Playback Control
No
No
Button Mapping
No
No
Surround Support
Yes
No
Connectivity
Wired Connection
9.4
8.3
Cable Picture
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Analog Audio
Yes
Yes
USB Audio
USB Type A
USB-C
Detachable
Yes
Yes
Length
5.05 ft (1.54 m)
4.07 ft (1.24 m)
Connector
1/8" TRRRS
1/8" TRS
Latency - Analog
0.2 ms
9.1 ms
Latency - USB
17.4 ms
13.0 ms
Recorded Latency
Recorded Latency Connection
USB
Analog
Bluetooth Connection
0.0
8.9
Bluetooth Version
No Bluetooth
5.3
Multi-Device Pairing
No
2 Devices
Quick Pair (Android)
No
Yes
Quick Pair (iOS)
No
No
Line Of Sight Range
N/A
334.65 ft (102.00 m)
Latency - SBC
N/A
186 ms
Latency - aptX
N/A
N/A
Latency - aptX Adaptive (High Quality)
N/A
N/A
Latency - aptX Adaptive (Low Latency)
N/A
N/A
Latency - LDAC
N/A
236 ms
Recorded Latency
N/A
Recorded Latency Codec
No Bluetooth Audio
SBC
AAC Support
No
Yes
Wireless Connection (Dongle)
0.0
8.0
Line Of Sight Range
N/A
173.88 ft (53.00 m)
Latency - Dongle
N/A
23 ms
Recorded Latency
N/A
PC Compatibility
Analog
Audio + Microphone
Audio + Microphone
Wired USB
Audio + Microphone
Audio + Microphone
Non-BT Wireless
No
Audio + Microphone
PlayStation Compatibility
PS4 Analog
Audio + Microphone
Audio + Microphone
PS4 Wired USB
Audio + Microphone
Audio + Microphone
PS4 Non-BT Wireless
No
Audio + Microphone
PS5 Analog
Audio + Microphone
Audio + Microphone
PS5 Wired USB
Audio + Microphone
Audio + Microphone
PS5 Non-BT Wireless
No
Audio + Microphone
Xbox Compatibility
Xbox One Analog
Audio + Microphone
Audio + Microphone
Xbox One Wired USB
No
No
Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
No
Audio + Microphone
Xbox Series X|S Analog
Audio + Microphone
Audio + Microphone
Xbox Series X|S Wired USB
No
No
Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless
No
Audio + Microphone
Base/Dock
7.0
3.4
Type
Wired USB dock
Wireless USB Dongle
USB Input
Yes
Yes
Line In
Yes
No
Line Out
Yes
No
Optical Input
No
No
RCA Input
No
No
Dock Charging
No
No
Power Supply
USB-C
USB
Check Price
Black
Arctis Nova Pro
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Dark Gray - PlayStation
Maxwell
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Black
Arctis Nova Pro for Xbox
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Dark Gray - Xbox
Maxwell
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SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro
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Comments
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro vs Audeze Maxwell: Main Discussion
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I have both, and the versatility that I have with the elite is incredible, the maxwell’s sound is awesome but it has a different sound profile because of the planar magnetic drivers, I prefer the elite because of the sound profile and the features, but I’m very excited about the new audeze products that will come on 2026