I’ve tried a number of gaming headsets over time and at this level, it nearly seems like there are fewer and fewer issues that I may be impressed by. Enter the Audeze Maxwell, a gaming headset from a model that has a storied historical past within the high-end audio neighborhood. When Audeze reached out and requested if I wished to attempt the Maxwell, I after all stated sure. I’d been eager to attempt it for a few years now. So I jumped on the likelihood.
My essential reasoning was to see if it may maintain a candle to what I discovered to be the very best gaming headset in the marketplace, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional Wi-fi. Up till I attempted the Maxwell, the Arctis Nova Professional Wi-fi had been my go-to. I used to be utilizing it for gaming on PS5, PC, and even cell. It was the one headset I might use for principally something. Together with streaming films and music. Not solely was the sound nice, it was simply so handy and cozy.
That being stated, it wasn’t with out its faults. The extra I dabbled in high-end audio I additionally wished to see if Audeze had one thing to supply that might sway my opinion on what the very best worth in gaming headsets is. With out beating across the bush, the Audeze Maxwell has exceeded almost each expectation I had. At $299, it’s not a cheap gaming headset choice. Nonetheless, it does quite a lot of issues proper and I believe that after this evaluate, you’ll in all probability agree that it’s on the very least, price contemplating. That being stated, let’s break down the Audeze Maxwell and see if it’s price your hard-earned cash.
Audeze Maxwell Evaluate: {Hardware} & Design
I’ll be trustworthy after I say the Maxwell isn’t my favourite in terms of the design of a gaming headset. That isn’t to say it appears unhealthy by any means. It’s fashionable, simply not as fashionable as some others I’ve used prior to now. Nonetheless, I need to observe that up with the very apparent realization that it is a utterly subjective level. Whereas I do assume there are better-looking gaming headsets on the market, this actually issues little or no.
What’s most vital is how the headset capabilities, and that it’s made with prime quality. These are two issues that the Audeze Maxwell knocks out of the park. Design-wise, the Maxwell is a giant headset. Most likely the largest I’ve ever examined, no less than in terms of wi-fi choices. Whereas I believe the dimensions takes a tiny bit away from the design, it additionally means you get good, sizeable ear cups that hug your ears in a pillowy embrace, so consolation is a particular issue right here.
The bigger dimension additionally means there’s extra room in these ear cups for issues just like the planar magnetic drivers. Which, goes an extended option to making this the best-sounding headset in the marketplace throughout the board.
What’s within the Field
In the case of the {hardware}, there’s quite a bit to unpack. Each actually and metaphorically. Once you open up the field, you get the headset, the removable mic, the low-latency USB-C dongle, a USB-C to USB-C cable, a USB-C to USB-A cable, and a 3.5mm TRRS analog cable.
{Hardware} & Construct High quality
The Audeze Maxwell incorporates a high-quality metallic building that makes it very clear quite a lot of thought and a focus to element went into constructing this headset. The ear cups swivel to regulate to go form, and you’ll twist them in order that they sit flat in the event you slide the headset right down to put on it round your neck throughout breaks. This additionally makes it respectable for packing in a bag, though it’s nonetheless a large gaming headset so it’ll take up a good quantity of area anyway.
What I actually like is that there’s a bodily mute change you possibly can toggle whenever you want or need to shut the mic off for a second. You additionally get bodily controls for quantity adjustment, and there are separate quantity wheels for recreation audio and chat audio, one thing that I believe could be very underused in gaming headsets as they typically incorporate each right into a single dial that forces you to choose what’s louder.
The headset itself doesn’t have an extendable headband like some do. As an alternative, the Audeze Maxwell makes use of an inside band with three holes on all sides. These may be fitted to the knobs on the left and proper sides of the principle band to regulate for sizing. The band itself is constituted of high-quality leather-based that feels premium, which I really like, and it’s additionally fairly snug towards my head even after longer gaming or listening classes.
The one grievance I’ve in regards to the band is that as a result of it’s made from leather-based, the sizing holes don’t increase in any respect. This makes it fairly a chore to regulate the band for sizing if wanted. Fortunately, you could solely have to do that as soon as in the event you’re the one one utilizing the headset. So as soon as that’s out of the best way, you gained’t should mess with it ever once more. In my expertise, I wasn’t fairly positive if the band was the place I wanted it to be. So I attempted adjusting it to a special dimension and it was simply tougher to do than I had anticipated.
Because it seems, the band was on the proper dimension for my head proper out of the field (the center of the three holes), so I by no means wanted to mess with it within the first place. Nonetheless, I do assume it’s vital that you just discover the appropriate match earlier than you actually begin utilizing it. So you could need to check all three dimension choices anyway. Simply remember that you just might need to fiddle with the band for a couple of minutes.
When it comes to remaining {hardware}, there’s additionally a pleasant massive bodily energy button and a button for turning the energetic noise cancellation on and off as you want. Total, the Audeze Maxwell is a really well-built gaming headset from prime to backside. There are only a couple of issues I might personally change.
Audeze Maxwell Evaluate: Consolation & Match
I assumed I knew what consolation was earlier than I put the Audeze Maxwell on for the primary time, and I used to be incorrect. Not less than partially. I’ve quite a lot of gaming headsets hanging up proper now and so they’re all fairly snug. Some greater than others. The Audeze Maxwell overshadows all of them. Like I stated earlier, the headset is massive as a result of the ear cups are massive. By design, the ear pads are additionally massive. They’re good and thick and so they envelop your ears in a tender cushion that does a fantastic job at isolating sound even when the ANC is turned off.
And but, even with the nice seal to isolate outdoors noise, they’re nonetheless breathable sufficient that I didn’t have to fret about sweat after sporting this headset for hours. I can confidently say that that is probably the most snug gaming headset I’ve ever used. That does include a caveat although. And in my view, it’s a caveat that may flip some individuals away. The Audeze Maxwell is a really heavy gaming headset by comparability. It weighs 500 grams which is form of astonishing whenever you have a look at different choices in the marketplace.
The one purpose I say it is a caveat is as a result of it might probably influence consolation, principally in the long run. I nonetheless assume the Audeze Maxwell is probably the most snug gaming headset I’ve used. Nonetheless, its weight can’t be ignored and it might probably result in points with long-term consolation. Not over the lifespan of the headset, however over an extended interval of use in a single session. For instance, I discover that the Maxwell tends to begin placing stress on my neck if I put on it for longer than 4-5 hours.
Now, you could be considering, “4-5 hours is a fairly very long time simply take the headset off and take a break.” And also you’re proper. I can simply take the headset off. Typically, that is precisely what I do. I take little breaks all through my gaming classes fairly typically. Whether or not it’s to stand up and seize a snack and stroll round for a couple of minutes, or to go do one thing else for a short time. There are occasions although after I sit down and play all day and if I’m in chat, I typically depart the headset on as a result of I’m speaking with buddies the entire time.
In these conditions, it’s very simple to get misplaced within the second and earlier than you recognize it, a number of hours have flown by. That is the place the burden of the Audeze Maxwell can begin to turn out to be a minor concern. In case you play video games for very lengthy intervals of time, simply know that this may turn out to be an element for you, and it may not.
When it comes to match, the headset suits very securely and there are zero points right here in my view. I believe for probably the most half, the burden isn’t going to hinder the expertise for many avid gamers, however it’s one thing that I felt wanted to be talked about. Total, the consolation is actually excessive up there and I’d even enterprise to say the Maxwell is extra snug than the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional Wi-fi, even when solely by a little bit bit.
Audeze Maxwell Evaluate: Microphone High quality
The microphone is all the time an vital a part of any gaming headset in the event you’re planning on utilizing it for recreation chat. Whether or not that’s in-game chat or by means of one thing like Discord, you desire a good microphone so your voice comes by means of clearly. The very last thing you need is in your teammates to have a tough time listening to you. Particularly in the event you’re enjoying video games the place clear callouts are a serious a part of the gameplay.
Of all of the gaming headsets I’ve examined over time, I’ve solely ever had points with just a few microphones. That’s based mostly on suggestions from buddies who I chat with telling me I don’t sound good and that I’m just a bit tougher to listen to. These are individuals I’ve performed video games with and sat in chat with for a number of years. In order that they know the sound of my voice and I belief their opinions on the matter. With that being stated, I need to begin by saying that I’ve had zero complaints from buddies when chatting whereas utilizing the Audeze Maxwell.
The microphone high quality, from my finish, appears to be top-notch and, it’d simply be the very best microphone of any gaming headset I’ve used thus far. As I’ve stated, I usually use the Arctis Nova Professional Wi-fi, which I assumed had a fairly good microphone. After utilizing it for two+ years, my buddies agree. As soon as I began utilizing the Audeze Maxwell, I held off for just a few classes earlier than asking how I sounded compared to how I usually sounded. Everybody I requested stated I sounded simply nice, whereas just a few even stated I sounded higher than ordinary.
My voice comes by means of extra clearly and that’s actually an vital element for callouts. Now this gained’t matter for each recreation. Nonetheless, we frequently play video games like Name of Obligation the place callouts in multiplayer are a giant deal to us as a crew. We’re very vocal in calling out the enemy place to attempt to win. We additionally play quite a lot of Future 2 the place callouts are vital for endgame content material like raids and dungeons. The slightest bother in listening to each other may imply a wipe, and that’s no enjoyable for anybody. This was by no means a problem in all my time utilizing the headset for gaming thus far.
So I believe it’s protected to say I’ll in all probability by no means have a problem with the microphone on the Audeze Maxwell. I clearly can’t communicate to how this can be long-term. However given the construct high quality of the headset, I don’t anticipate the microphone high quality degrading over time. If there’s something I might change with the mic, I might add just a few extra choices within the companion software program to regulate the sound and actually fine-tune it. That is one thing that I actually admire in regards to the SteelSeries GG app. It has tons of settings for adjusting how the mic sounds, that being stated, you don’t want a SteelSeries headset to make use of that software program. So actually, you possibly can use it with the Audeze Maxwell in the event you actually wished to, and simply tweak issues within the Sonar tab. Although I don’t know if that is actually mandatory.
Audeze Maxwell Evaluate: Sound High quality
There was a time when sound high quality didn’t matter very a lot to me when enjoying video games. It was a less complicated time. So long as the headset I used to be utilizing sounded comparatively respectable, I used to be nice with it. Then I began utilizing nicer and nicer headsets, and now I’ve arrived at Audeze’s Maxwell headset. An choice that clearly stands above most choices in the marketplace for sound high quality.
That shouldn’t be stunning. Audeze focuses on high-end audio. I knew the headset would sound good, I simply didn’t know it might sound higher than anything I’ve ever used. Whereas I’m not an audio professional, I’ve used a number of high-end headsets at this level so I do have some inkling of when one clearly sounds higher than one other. The Audeze Maxwell supplies a sound expertise for video games that I actually do really feel is unmatched.
Whereas utilizing it in video games like House Marine 2 or Diablo IV, I can extra simply decide up the nuances of the various and layered tracks laid on prime of the remainder of the sport’s audio. The ambient tracks of House Marine 2 come alive as if I used to be standing within the crowd at a live performance. And there’s one thing magical about having that form of audio high quality for in-game music as you’re ripping into aliens with a chainsaw sword. Talking of, the Maxwell actually amps up these sorts of sounds too.
In an age the place some video games are finest after they can immerse you on the earth, enjoying House Marine 2 whereas sporting the Maxwell headset nearly made it appear as if I used to be truly the Ultramarine revving up the sword to slice and cube the enemies of humanity. For Diablo IV, the Maxwell actually shined with the completely different music tracks of every zone. However even little particulars just like the sound of a well being potion dropping after which being consumed had been extra pronounced. The screams of my character as they had been reducing down demons had been extra clear.
In video games like Remaining Fantasy XIV, which is packed to the gills with a rattling close to life-changing soundtrack, the Maxwell not solely introduced the music to life but it surely made the world of the sport really feel extra actual. The sound even will get a little bit extra full of life if I’m enjoying with my DualSense controller plugged in. As a result of when it’s plugged in for Remaining Fantasy XIV, the superior haptics of that controller kick in.
So strolling on grass nearly seems like strolling on grass. Harvesting wooden from a tree and chopping away at it along with your hatchet type of feels just like the vibrations you may really feel from the picket deal with because the blade of the hatchet meets the tree on influence. And the sounds which are linked to these haptics are clear as day with the Maxwell. All of it actually simply performs into the fantasy that I’m on the earth of the sport, strolling on that patch of grass myself, or chopping away at that tree. Now, a part of it is a true testomony to the abilities of the sport’s audio engineers.
On the identical time, it’s a testomony to Audeze. For having the ability to harness what the sport’s audio engineers have accomplished and make you are feeling such as you’re within the recreation you’re enjoying. Primarily based solely on delivering sound so wealthy with life, that you just begin to really feel such as you’re listening to these sounds in particular person.
I’ll say it once more, there was a time when the sound high quality of my gaming headsets didn’t matter a lot to me. These instances are gone and the Maxwell has an element in my shifting opinion on the matter. Utilizing the Maxwell shouldn’t be so transcendent of an expertise that I can’t ever use anything. It’s nonetheless very pleasurable to listen to my video games in a method that makes them considerably extra full of life. And Audeze deserves quite a lot of reward for it. The Maxwell is shortly changing into one in all my favourite headsets to make use of, if not my favourite headset.
Out of the field, the Maxwell headset sounds very good and also you don’t have to do something to it to benefit from the audio expertise. Nonetheless, you possibly can fine-tune issues by adjusting the sound profiles contained in the Audeze HQ app.
Audeze Maxwell Evaluate: The Audeze HQ App
The app is your software for enjoying with the preconfigured sound profiles in addition to updating the dongle and headset. For example, there’s an choice to alter to a Footsteps profile so you possibly can higher hear footsteps in video games like Name of Obligation.
The headset picks up footsteps and relays their distinctive sound signature to you fairly properly with out turning on this sound profile. Higher than most headsets I’ve tried, too. However in utilizing the Footsteps profile it amplifies their sound barely in order that they’re only a bit simpler to listen to. You possibly can definitely select to disregard the footsteps in these sorts of multiplayer video games, however I discover that you’ll nearly all the time do higher in the event you’re being attentive to these audio cues.
One factor I’ve observed is that whereas utilizing this specific sound profile with the Maxwell, there wasn’t a serious distinction between when it was on and when it was off. It was a delicate change, however nonetheless noticeable. In the long run, it makes a distinction, nonetheless small, so it’s price choosing versus leaving the headset on the default “Audeze” setting. Alternatively, in the event you’re enjoying an RPG or one other kind of recreation the place it’s very story/narrative heavy, you possibly can select the headset’s Immersive sound profile to deliver the sport to life.
That is the form of profile I selected for video games like Remaining Fantasy XIV, Diablo IV, and House Marine 2. There are additionally profiles for bass enhance and treble enhance amongst just a few others. You may as well select one of many few “Preset” choices which are there if you wish to manually regulate the EQ and save these as particular profiles. So that you get full granular management of how all of the frequencies sound and regulate issues to your exact specs.
Along with the completely different sound profiles, the HQ app additionally helps you to toggle the facet tone, with a slider bar for the way a lot of the sidetone degree you need to hear. That is simply so that you need to have the ability to hear your individual voice whereas in chat. It acts as a option to see the way you sound to others, whereas additionally letting you understand how loud you might be. It’s supposed to assist nail down the very best sound for the mic so your voice is obvious and at an inexpensive quantity degree for others.
On prime of that, there’s one other characteristic for mixing the sport and chat audio, though I left this untouched as I can management the quantity of my chats in Discord straight whereas utilizing the quantity wheel on my keyboard for recreation audio. All of that is doable with the PC app, however sadly, there’s no app for PS5. There may be an app for cell, however altering the sound profiles didn’t appear to do something for the sound popping out of my PS5. A pleasant contact with the PC app is that there’s a tab with a format of the headset that tells you what all of the controls are for.
It’s nothing main, only a good little addition in the event you weren’t fairly positive what every thing on the headset does. Total it’s a good app however nothing too particular. No bells and whistles or additional options. Simply the essential stuff you’d want. And that’s utterly nice.
Audeze Maxwell Evaluate: Battery Life
I talked for a number of months with my boss about this headset. He’s been utilizing it for some time and wouldn’t shut up about how good it’s. I take his opinion about audio significantly as a result of he takes audio significantly. Extra significantly than anybody else I do know. Nonetheless, regardless of his reward for the Maxwell, I had my reservations. Primarily for 2 causes. One, the dearth of its potential to play simultaneous audio from two sources if I used to be linked utilizing the low-latency dongle (it is going to permit this when you have the headset wired and linked to a different gadget with Bluetooth), and the battery life.
One of many causes I really like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional wi-fi a lot is due to these two issues. The battery life specifically is a non-issue. As a result of it makes use of a hot-swappable battery you possibly can simply come out and exchange it when it must be recharged. So that you ALWAYS have a charged battery able to go, and also you principally have 100% uptime on the headset. I didn’t need to quit this comfort. How does Audeze get round that with the Maxwell? With a battery life that lasts for as much as 80+ hours.
That’s an astounding period of time between fees, and I’m not exaggerating after I say I went a complete two to 3 weeks earlier than I wanted to plug the Maxwell in. I nonetheless form of want the comfort of not having to plug in a headset in any respect. That being stated, I can overlook this truth with the Maxwell as a result of it lasts so lengthy between fees. I can simply plug it in throughout the begin of my day and it’ll be accomplished properly earlier than I would like or need to use it once more. Then it’s again to a full battery which can final me for just a few extra weeks.
What’s extra, is that the Maxwell helps quick charging. If the battery occurs to die on me whereas utilizing it, I can plug the headset in for under 20 minutes and get a number of hours of recreation time. Probably greater than I’ll want. Then I can plug it in for a full cost after I’m accomplished. All-in-all, the battery life on the Audeze Maxwell is stellar, and I don’t assume anybody goes to have a single grievance about it.
Must you purchase the Audeze Maxwell?
Getting right down to brass tax, I believe there’s a big subset of the gaming neighborhood that may by no means purchase this headset. That’s not as a result of it’s unhealthy, as my evaluate clearly reveals it’s the precise reverse. It’s just because there are lots of avid gamers on the market who simply don’t care about all of the little niceties that the Audeze Maxwell headset supplies. They simply need one thing that works and isn’t going to disintegrate on them in two to 6 months.
Having stated that, I believe there are nonetheless loads of individuals who would spend the cash on this headset if it meant an general higher and extra pleasurable gaming expertise. Sound performs a giant half in video games. Actually, greater than many individuals give it credit score for. You possibly can’t really expertise how influential it’s although in the event you don’t have a headset that may ship audio at that degree. The Maxwell delivers. It has just a few flaws, as every thing does. It’s heavy, for one. It’s additionally not probably the most transportable so that you’ll in all probability want one thing else totally in order for you an over-ear or on-ear headset for listening to music outdoors of the house.
These points however, every thing else in regards to the Audeze Maxwell has been a tremendous expertise. So in the event you don’t thoughts spending a little bit extra money on a gaming headset, I can confidently say I don’t assume anybody who can and would purchase this headset would remorse the acquisition.
You should purchase the Audeze Maxwell if:
- You desire a high-end audio expertise when enjoying video games
- You’re searching for one thing with long-lasting battery life
- You desire a snug headset
- You need or want a extremely high-quality microphone
You shouldn’t purchase the Audeze Maxwell if:
- You’re searching for one thing extra budget-friendly
- You don’t care about audio high quality
