Audeze Maxwell vs Sony WH-CH520

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Maxwell compared with WH-CH520

	AudezeMaxwell	SonyWH-CH520
Overview
Released
Released	January 2023	March 2023
Sound
Type
Type	Over-ear	On-ear
Noise cancelling
Noise cancelling	No	No
Transparency mode
Transparency mode	–	No
Driver size
Driver size	90 mm	30 mm
Back
Back	–	Closed
Bluetooth codecs
Bluetooth codecs	SBC, AAC, LDAC and LC3	SBC and AAC
Lossless over USB-C
Lossless over USB-C	Yes	No
Drivers
Drivers	Planar magnetic; Fluxor magnet array with neodymium N50 magnets; Fazor phase management; ultra-thin Uniforce diaphragm; 10 Hz to 50 kHz; maximum SPL over 120 dB; THD < 0.1% (1 kHz, 1 mW)	Bluetooth response 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz at 44.1 kHz sampling
Audio features
Audio features	Up to 24-bit/96 kHz over the low-latency wireless dongle, and lossless up to 24-bit/96 kHz over USB-C; Dolby Atmos licence (Xbox version) or Tempest 3D Audio (PlayStation version); also supports LC3plus over Bluetooth LE Audio; multi-band EQ with up to four saved user profiles in the Audeze HQ app	DSEE upscaling and customisable equaliser in Sony | Sound Connect (formerly Headphones Connect)
Battery
Listening time (maker's claim)
Listening time (maker's claim)	Up to 80 hours	Up to 50 hours
Battery life detail
Battery life detail	1,800 mAh lithium-polymer battery; over 80 hours of wireless playback at 80 dBA; full charge in 2 hours (USB-C, 5 V, 1.8 A max)	Up to 40 hours of calls and 200 hours on standby; no passive operation or wired playback
Fast charging
Fast charging	20 minutes for a 25% charge	3 minutes gives up to 1.5 hours; full charge approximately 3 hours
Design
Weight
Weight	490 g	147 g (better)
Bluetooth
Bluetooth	5.3	5.2
Two devices at once
Two devices at once	Yes	Yes
Headphone cable
Headphone cable	Yes	No
Controls
Controls	–	Physical buttons for playback, calls, volume and track selection; press the play/call button to use the connected phone's Siri or Google voice assistant
Microphones
Microphones	Detachable hypercardioid boom microphone; built-in beamforming microphones for chat; FILTER AI noise reduction on a dedicated processor	Built-in call microphone with noise suppression processing
Fit and ear tips
Fit and ear tips	Over-ear (circumaural), closed-back; aluminium yokes, spring steel headband and replaceable suspension strap	Adjustable padded headband, soft earpads and swivelling earcups
Water resistance detail
Water resistance detail	–	No water resistance rating published
Works with
Works with	PlayStation and PC version, or Xbox and PC version; both work with Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and Nintendo Switch; USB-C with dual audio endpoints and game-chat mix; 3.5 mm TRRS analogue input	Two-device multipoint, Fast Pair and Swift Pair; approximately 10 m range, profiles A2DP, AVRCP, HFP and HSP; USB-C is charging-only (SoundGuys)
Colours
Colours	–	Black, Blue, White, Beige; Pink and Yellow added in March 2025; One Piece Black and One Piece White limited editions on the current UK page
In the box
In the box	Maxwell headset, detachable boom microphone, USB-C wireless dongle, USB-C to USB-C cable, USB-C to USB-A adapter, 3.5 mm TRRS cable, quick start guide and warranty card	Headphones and USB charging cable; no carrying case listed