The Maxwell is Audeze's wireless over-ear gaming headset with 90 mm planar magnetic drivers, sold in PlayStation and Xbox versions and suited to gamers who also want LDAC and very long battery life; Audeze now lists it as a legacy product after the Maxwell 2.
Reviewers agree the Maxwell sounds excellent for a gaming headset, detailed with wide, accurate imaging, and connects widely across consoles and PC. The weight is the common complaint, with Headfonics and TechRadar finding long sessions tiring and TechRadar the clamp tight, though Tom's Guide rates the comfort highly; SoundGuys disliked the headband, and Tom's Guide expected noise cancelling at the price.
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)
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
Battery
Listening time (maker's claim)
Up to 80 hours
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)
Fast charging
20 minutes for a 25% charge
Design
Weight
490 g
Bluetooth
5.3
Two devices at once
Yes
Headphone cable
Yes
Microphones
Detachable hypercardioid boom microphone; built-in beamforming microphones for chat; FILTER AI noise reduction on a dedicated processor
Fit and ear tips
Over-ear (circumaural), closed-back; aluminium yokes, spring steel headband and replaceable suspension strap
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
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
Pros and cons
Pros
+Over 80 hours of wireless playback per charge
+90 mm planar magnetic drivers
+Low-latency USB-C dongle plus Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC, LC3 and LC3plus
