Even with its very first models, Californian manufacturer Audeze clearly stated its goal: to create audiophile headphones that exceed users’ expectations. The brand, whose name is a homonym of Odyssey, aims to be at the cutting edge of new technologies, always at the service of music and the audiophile experience. The Audeze Maxwell gaming headphones are no exception, and go even further than the previous Audeze Penrose model by featuring, among other things, a professional-quality microphone from Shure. Will Audeze succeed in becoming a benchmark in the gaming world?
Audeze Maxwell: packaging & accessories
The Audeze Maxwell comes in a rather large cardboard box that suggests that the headphones are somewhat substantial. The packaging is refined and, when opened, you’ll find a large piece of packing foam protecting the headphones. In the middle is the USB dongle. The pairing instructions aren’t easy to find, but are indicated on the back of the packaging. Finally, a cardboard box placed under the foam contains the boom microphone and its windshield, a USB-A/USB-C cable adapter, the USB-C charging/data cable and the TRRS 3.5mm mini-jack audio cable.
Audeze Maxwell: presentation
We tested the PlayStation 5 version of the Audeze Maxwell headphones for our review. An Xbox version, the Audeze Maxwell Xbox, is also available. Note that the latter contains a Dolby Atmos for Headphones license (which you can also purchase for the PS5 model from the Dolby website for €17.99).
Planar Magnetic technology
The Audeze Maxwell gaming headphones don’t hide their audiophile origins. They are equipped with 3.5” planar magnetic transducers. Their membrane provides a frequency response of 20Hz to 50kHz to fully immerse you in video game soundtracks and to accurately reproduce all styles of music. This technology has been used since the 1970s and has now reached a level of sophistication that delights music lovers.
To listen to music wirelessly, the Audeze Maxwell are equipped with Bluetooth 5.3 transmission as well as a dongle operating on the 2.4 GHz RF band. The headphones support resolutions up to 24-bit/96kHz, as well as the PlayStation 5 Tempest 3D audio protocol. Compatibility with all other systems and consoles is ensured thanks to a wired 3.5mm mini-jack TRRS connection.
The Audeze Maxwell gaming headphones also support Bluetooth multipoint technology so that they can be simultaneously connected to a computer or console and a smartphone, for example. Consequently, it is possible to fully immerse yourself in the music of a video game without missing any phone calls or text messages. The headphones support the LC3plus, LC3, LDAC and AAC Bluetooth codecs.
Battery life
The Audeze Maxwell headphones are equipped with a rechargeable battery that has an autonomy of up to 80 hours. The very convenient quick charge feature provides a full day of playback in only 20 minutes. The fact that the Audeze Maxwell headphones must remain switched on to operate in wired mode is a deliberate decision made by the manufacturer, presumably to preserve the same sound signature regardless of how they are used (like the Focal Bathys, for example). Thankfully, the American manufacturer has added a power-down function to its app, which can be set from 5 minutes to 6 hours, and can also be deactivated.
Bluetooth and connectivity
Simultaneous playback via dongle and Bluetooth is impossible due to the Maxwell’s chip. However, simultaneous USB cable/Bluetooth and mini-jack cable/Bluetooth playback is possible. Therefore, you can opt for either of those configurations if you need to use two audio devices at the same time.
The Audeze Maxwell gaming headphones switch from the dongle to Bluetooth transmission seamlessly thanks to the multipoint connection, but can’t read the two wireless sources simultaneously. For example, if you’re playing a game in USB dongle mode and get a call on your smartphone, you’ll be able to answer with the Maxwell headphones by pressing their on/off button. Once you’ve finished your call, the headphones automatically switch back to USB dongle mode.
Headphones to be used home
Unlike many brands, which provide versatile headphones that combine gaming and on-the-go use, Audeze has decided not to include a carrying case. This limits the Audeze Maxwell’s portability. Moreover, their weight of 490g and rigid structure make them less suitable for use outside. Consequently, the Audeze Maxwell are mainly designed to be used at home and can be placed on a headphone stand for greater ease of use.
The Audeze headphones’ headband is equipped with an adjustable leather strap that can be altered to provide the perfect fit for all users. To adjust the headband, take hold of the strap near the screws and pull. Note that you don’t need to remove the screws to do this. That said, the headphones are fairly wide and may not be sufficiently secure for people with smaller heads. However, when correctly adjusted, the Audeze Maxwell headphones are extremely comfortable to wear. Handling does result in a few fingermarks on the ear cups, but these disappear with a simple wipe.
Shure microphone: a blessing for professional gamers?
Designed by Shure, the boom microphone is very high-quality, as we can expect from the legendary manufacturer. It is removable and features a 3.5mm mini-jack connector. With its cardioid pickup pattern, it captures a warm, clear sound that’s perfectly balanced for live voice recording. We can already imagine professional streamers using this headset and microphone for their videos. Very often, they have gaming headphones, accompanied by a professional microphone for the voice recording.
The main Shure microphone is associated with five more mics that are built into the headphones to generate sound beams. The latter reduce background noise and highlight the voice picked up by the microphone. In addition, the headphones feature artificial intelligence that ensures that your voice never sounds distant and isn’t covered by surrounding sources.
Audeze Noise Filter noise cancellation
The Audeze Maxwell gaming headphones are equipped with the brand’s Noise Filter noise cancellation technology. Thanks to a dedicated AI processor, background noises are instantly and automatically eliminated on any platform. The detachable boom microphone and the beamforming microphone array ensure clear, transparent voices.
The Audeze Noise Filter technology features microphone circuits that use an AI programmed to identify and eliminate over 500,000 noise samples. Built into the headphones, the noise cancelling algorithms have two different intensity levels and can also be deactivated. This isn’t a classic ANC, but rather a listening and communication aid that intervenes when necessary. The passive isolation provided by the thick earpads is more than enough to isolate the listener from surrounding noise.
What differences are there with previous versions?
The gaming accent of the Mobius and Penrose models was evident through features such as 7.1 spatialization, with a rounder, more colorful sound reminiscent of the world of video games. The Audeze Maxwell headphones, on the other hand, aim for the sobriety and balance of hi-fi. As for console compatibility, the Tempest 3D mode for the PlayStation 5 and Dolby Atmos mode for the Xbox version are both present and more than enough to immerse you in the game. Last but not least, the Shure microphone is an elegant response to the main complaint made about the Penrose model, namely the poor quality of its microphone.
Other than the microphone, one of the biggest technical improvements is the new dual-chamber structure. In the Penrose and Mobius models, the left and right ear cups weren’t acoustically balanced due to the fact that the circuit was on one side and the battery was on the other. The Audeze Maxwell headphones have a dual-chamber design: an internal enclosure acoustically isolates the transducer from the electronics. This element alone greatly improves the balance.
Moreover, the transducers have been reduced from 4” to 3.5” in the Audeze Maxwell, but the active zone remains the same. This new dual-chamber design takes up a lot of space inside the earpieces, one on the inside and one on the outside, contributing to noise isolation and good internal acoustics.
Controls
The Audeze Maxwell gaming headphones are controlled using the buttons on the left earpiece. The most visible one lets you turn the microphone on or off. The switch is easy to operate by hand thanks to its size and grooved surface. A “click” also confirms selection. The power on/off button is positioned lower down and is more discreet. Although it is easily accessible, it is built into the shell so that you can’t press it accidentally. Pressing it once pauses playback to allow you to take a phone call, for example.
When the dongle is connected to a PC, it appears as two USB connection points (Maxwell Game and Maxwell Chat). You can use the “Game” output for gaming and the “Chat” connection for Discord or Teamspeak, for example. The Game/Chat wheel on the headphones lets you adjust the balance between the two.
On Xbox and PlayStation, the Game/Chat mix will be the default function of the first wheel. For now, Press+scroll is only used to change equalizer presets.
| Controls | Function |
| Power button – single press | Play/Pause |
| Power button – single press (incoming call) | Answer/end call |
| Volume wheel click (single) + scroll up | Next track/Next |
| Volume wheel click (single) + scroll down | Previous track/Back |
Bluetooth pairing is quick and easy and is done by double pressing the on/off button. The last, most discreet button is built into the ear cup and allows you to select two levels of noise cancelling for the microphone, and to deactivate this feature. Its placement next to the boom microphone avoids any accidental presses.
Audeze HQ app
To customize and optimize the Audeze Maxwell’s performance, Audeze provides an application compatible with Windows, MacOS, iOS and Android. It includes all the headphones’ essential features. For example, you can control playback (pause/stop, etc…) and the volume, but you can also adjust the 10-band equalizer to suit your musical preferences. The app provides six presets and lets you save your own with four blank user profiles.
It is also possible to activate the noise cancelling and the SideTone mode. The latter lets you hear the mic audio in your headphones. This playback is very useful so you don’t shout when wearing these headphones, which also isolate the listener from outside sounds. The Voice Prompt function, meanwhile, lets you adjust the volume of the headphones’ prompts (to indicate their status and the activation of functions). Finally, the app also provides access to battery status and the latest available software updates.
Audeze Maxwell: key specifications
- Design: over-ear
- Transducers: 3.5” Planar Magnetic
- Frequency response: 20 – 50,000Hz
- Sensitivity: 105 ± 3 dB @ 1khz
- Impedance: 32 Ω
- Bluetooth 5.3: LC3plus, LC3, LDAC and AAC
- Battery life: 80 hours
- ANC: Audeze Noise Filter
- Weight: 490g
See all the Audeze Maxwell headphones’ characteristics
Audeze Maxwell: listening conditions
We tested the Audeze Maxwell headphones with mini-jack and wireless connections via the included USB dongle, on PC and Mac, but also via Bluetooth with an Android smartphone. We also connected them to a PlayStation 5 using the dongle. Lastly, we tested them with a USB audio DAC, as well as the Naim Uniti Atom connected amplifier. We listened to Hi-Res tracks streamed from Qobuz via Bluetooth, using both the dongle and a cable. On the PlayStation 5, we played Gran Turismo 7 and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales. We also played Borderlands 3 on a PC and watched Prime Video movies and series on MacOS.
We appreciated how easy the Audeze Maxwell headphones were to pair. When the dongle was connected to the PlayStation or any computer, the headphones were instantly recognized and operational. The application, available on smartphone and computer, completes the possible uses and settings of these well-designed headphones.
Audeze Maxwell: impressions
We were completely blown away by the headphones’ sound quality during our very first listening session! The lively, balanced sound is immediately impressive, and sets the audiophile bar high for other gaming headphones. The Californian brand’s engineers have certainly made no secret of their desire to provide gamers with something other than a bass-heavy sound signature.
Audiophile listening sessions
It was easy to appreciate how clean the bass was on a hip-hop track like Jurassic 5’s Freedom, or with What is Fight Club from the Fight Club soundtrack. The bass was present and perfectly sustained, and its great precision allowed the rest of the instruments or elements (such as dialogue and effects) to stand out beautifully. The midrange was clear, balanced and controlled, with a pleasant touch of warmth. In the highs, the signal was as linear as the rest of the spectrum. No doubt the planar technology had something to do with this. The overall sound signature of the headphones was rich and detailed, with prominent transients ensuring perfect articulation of all frequencies, in all musical styles… A huge success.
Audeze: the new gaming masters?
In Gran Turismo 7, engine noise was precise and offered details that made it easy to recognize the various racing cars, which is not the case with more basic headphones. The midrange was also extremely clear, and the highs perfectly delineated. The spatialization was pleasant and effective. There was, however, a slight lack of rigor at the very top-end of the spectrum (above 14kHz), but this didn’t spoil the listening experience. It’s also what sets these €300 Audeze gaming headphones apart from more expensive models such as the Audeze LCD-GX.
This type of headset is therefore suitable for enjoying an audiophile or even analytical reproduction, without experiencing any auditory fatigue. The tonal balance of the Audeze Maxwell headphones can be easily adjusted thanks to the precise 10-band equalizer. The latter is responsive and provides a sound reproduction that is tailored to your preferences or your preferred musical style, or can simply be used to reduce the highest frequencies so you can game for longer without fatigue.
It is important to note that the weight of the headphones and their large earpads might make your ears warm after a few hours. This isn’t unusual for this type of headphone design.
Audeze Maxwell: compared to…
JBL Quantum 910P: the JBL Quantum 910P are superior in several areas, starting with gaming. Featuring a powerful interface designed to meet the needs of gamers, they deliver spatialized sound on PCs and consoles and offer head-movement tracking. Despite these positive points and their more effective noise cancelling, the Audeze Maxwell have the edge, with their more advanced audiophile qualities, 80-hour battery life, better workmanship and materials, as well as their smartphone app – something the JBL model is sorely lacking. These two headphones are likely to target different gamer profiles: music lovers for the Audeze, and gamers looking for advanced 3D immersion for the JBL.
B&O Beoplay Portal: 200 euros cheaper, the B&O Beoplay Portal headphones stand out with their premium design and lighter weight, more suitable for use on-the-go. With similar characteristics and features, the Audeze headphones are more musical and are better suited to use at home. Once again, the Audeze Maxwell come out on top with a better microphone, a longer battery life and an app with more controls, notably a 10-band equalizer. However, the B&O headphones are a good alternative for those looking for a portable gaming model.
EPOS-Sennheiser GSP 670: the Audeze Maxwell gaming headphones are equipped with a Shure microphone, Sennheiser’s long-standing competitor in this domain. They are also both sedentary gaming models. Audeze and Sennheiser’s philosophies are also very similar: a neutral sound signature can also be a “gaming sound signature”. The Sennheiser headphones deserve a spot on the podium for their qualities, but not on the same step as the Audeze Maxwell for the reasons we have previously mentioned (battery life, mic performance…). The design award also goes to the Maxwell headphones, as the manufacturer has chosen not to succumb to the heavy-handed styling that can sometimes be questionable. We’re curious to see whether Epos-Sennheiser will create an equivalent model to the Maxwell in the future.
Audeze Maxwell: who are they for?
The gaming headphones + audiophile headphones + high-quality microphone formula will appeal to a wide range of users. We can already foresee music-loving gamers enjoying these headphones, or even professional gamers for whom the microphone offers a practical and convenient solution so that they don’t have to complicate their setup with a separate mic. They will appeal to audiophile spheres, professionals (for their spectral rigor, particularly in the lows) and, of course, gamers. While these are three very different user profiles, these worlds are highly permeable and the different applications of these headphones make them very versatile.
Audeze Maxwell: conclusion
Audeze’s fourth pair of gaming headphones is finally the perfect representation of the American brand’s expertise, notably with its Planar Magnetic technology. To put to rest the criticism levelled at the Mobius and Penrose models, Audeze has decided to work with Shure to offer gamers a microphone on a par with the Maxwell’s transducers. Priced at €299 for the PS5 model and €329 for the Xbox model, these Audeze headphones may well make rival manufacturers quake in their boots, and they would do well to rethink their approach considering the incredible quality of the Maxwell.
The 80-hour battery life combined with all the gaming headphone features, such as the dual connectivity, Bluetooth multipoint, 10-band equalizer, mic feedback, Tempest 3D and Dolby Atmos compatibility, as well as the game and chat volume controls, make the experience with the Audeze Maxwell very pleasant. The only negative aspects are the fact that your ears tend to get warm after a few hours and how prone the materials are to attracting fingermarks. So nothing very serious.
The audiophile-style Audeze Maxwell gaming headphones provide a neutral and controlled sound that is nicely balanced across the entire spectrum. Whether it’s for gaming, audiophile listening sessions or even professional use in a studio, the Audeze Maxwell truly deliver.
With their sedentary design, they can definitely become the perfect all-rounder at home. With no worthy competitor in their price range, other brands should also buy a pair to get an idea of the perfect (gaming) headphones. In conclusion, they’re a firm favorite with our editors and are sure to make waves on the market!
We liked
- The “audiophile for gamers” design
- The quality of the Shure microphone
- The precision in the bass and overall balance
- The 10-band equalizer
- The 80-hour battery life
- The easily replaceable earpads
- The mic feedback (SideTone feature)
We would have liked
- A case
- For them to have been less prone to fingermarks
