Maxwell

Returned it twice because the earcups die in normal use; great sound but bad engineering and QC.

“I've had to return my Maxwell TWICE and there are people who have returned it more than 3 times in a row. The earcups die and it is just during normal usage.”

Coming from Turtle Beach, Razer, SteelSeries and Astro headsets, finds it incredible: a near-perfect blend with an insane battery life; the stock pads are too shallow so Wicked Cushions are a must.

“The Audeze Maxwell is incredible. They're basically the perfect blend with little compromise. The 80hr battery life is INSANE - who needs two batteries (Steel Series)”

A few months in and loves it: comfortable all day with great sound and battery life.

“I have this headset, have had it for a few months now. I love it. I can and have worn it all day without issue, and the sound and battery life is just great.”

The best-sounding but most uncomfortable headset they've used: detailed and precise, but heavy with strong clamp and shallow pads, so they returned it.

“It's both the best sounding and most uncomfortable headset I've ever used. You hear details in games and music you never heard before, the base is not overwhelming but precise”

The right earcup cut out and died after three months of normal use; replaced under warranty.

“Mine just had an issue with the right earcup where it cut out and sometimes died completely after 3 months of normal use. Since it is within warranty I got a replacement”

Even owning an Arya Stealth, they still return to their first-generation Maxwell, finding little that beats it as a closed-back.

Doesn't mind the Maxwell's weight and finds it okay for what it offers.

Their first-generation Maxwell isn't the best for positioning but is leagues above other gaming headsets for music, with an outstanding mic.

As a first-generation Maxwell owner, weight is their only issue, fixed with an aftermarket strap.

Comparing their two-year-old Maxwell (first generation) with the ROG Kithara, the Maxwell's louder volume makes up for slightly less clean footstep detail; their Maxwells hardly crackle.

Their Maxwell sounded great but the drivers died in under 20 months, which they found is a common problem given the one-year warranty.

Used their Maxwell for about two years with no issues, though they acknowledge QC and driver failures are a real problem.

Their Maxwell has been fantastic for two years with no issues, mic included, one of their best headphone purchases.

Their Maxwell broke within three days after a loud in-game explosion damaged one side.

On day one they were blown away by the Maxwell: crisp, fun, loud sound, switchable tuning, tank-like build and 80+ hour battery, at a price below premium ANC headphones.

Tried the Maxwell and found better sound and isolation than their other headsets, but returned it over the software, weight and maximum volume.

Uses the Maxwell for gaming and finds it great for a wireless headset with good sound, but heavy enough that they recommend an aftermarket strap.

Really likes the Maxwell and hears footsteps well in Cold War, but finds it incredibly heavy.

After a weekend with the Maxwell they found it sounds exactly how they want every headphone to sound, and far better than their Arctis Nova Pro Wireless.

Measured 95-100dB peaks from their Maxwell on PS5 and PC at max volume and is fully satisfied with its loudness.

A month in, the Maxwell sounds amazing even with stock tuning and the battery seems endless; it is heavy but manageable, and they swapped pads and strap.

Finds the Maxwell beautifully built and very good-sounding for a closed back compared with their Arctis headsets, but very heavy.

Bought a used Maxwell but returned it because it was faulty.

Picked up an open-box Maxwell on a whim and, despite skepticism toward gaming headsets, found it their endgame closed-back.

Their only gripe with the Maxwell is its weight.

Found the Maxwell's build quality horrible: the right ear cup stopped working after a few months, with static hiss, though sound was okay.

Coming from the DT 900 Pro X, their Maxwell had constant planar crinkle popping and music sound barely better than a regular headset.

Their Maxwell developed crinkle sounds that later vanished; they see it as a great wireless all-in-one with decent audio, not a miracle headphone.

After half a year with the Maxwell, their experience hasn't been great and they list several gripes, concluding they should give up on wireless.

Finds the Maxwell uncomfortable, with a headband that doesn't fit, cups that get hot and volume that isn't loud enough, so they're returning it.

Traded a broken Penrose for the Maxwell, which with the Penrose sounds best of the many headsets they've owned.

Their first-generation Maxwell is otherwise perfect but makes their ears sweat after an hour.

Bought the Maxwell to test and found its music sound immediately better than the FiiO FT1, dynamic and full after a small EQ tweak.

Their Audeze Maxwell broke, so they replaced it with an open-back that they find sounds much better.

Owning both, they find the Maxwell more detailed than the FiiO FT1 across most genres, though it sounds unnatural on some tracks.

Prefers the Maxwell to their PC38X, feeling more immersed, with a footstep preset that nearly matches it.

After a couple of days with the Maxwell they consider it overrated for gaming, finding even cheaper headsets more fun-sounding.

After the Maxwell, their Arctis Nova Pro Wireless sounded thin, so they sold it; the Maxwell has far better clarity and richness.

After over a year they love the Maxwell's sound and bass but find its comfort subpar.

Uses the Maxwell for gaming but doesn't enjoy it for music compared with their open-back Arya.

The Maxwell's out-of-box bass disappointed them so much they thought their unit was defective.

Finds the Maxwell very solidly built with amazing sound and highly recommends it for gaming and music.

Admits the Maxwell sounds really good but found it too expensive for them and is considering returning it for something cheaper.

One of their Maxwell drivers had to be replaced out of warranty for about $130, possibly due to humidity.

Bought the Maxwell on the strength of reviews but after two days of Warzone and music they didn't like it at all.

Found the original Maxwell a really good wireless headset that competed with regular headphones, though it had reliability issues.

Their first-generation Maxwell has the best low-latency wireless they've seen, wired-rivalling sound, a great EQ app and unrivalled battery, but is very heavy even with upgraded strap and pads.

Their Maxwell's sound was outstanding for a gaming headset but the right speaker died after two years, and some features like noise suppression did little.

Owning the Maxwell, they find it hides much of the detail in music compared with the PC38X.

Their first-generation Maxwell was never very loud even at maximum volume on PC.

Calls the Maxwell amazing but quite heavy for long sessions.

Found the Maxwell's sound wonderful but returned it because the bass felt fatiguing, like hearing it inside their head.

This owner likes the Audeze Maxwell, but it's very heavy and friends say the mic sounds horrible.

“I like the Maxwell's, the software is barebones and isn't required to use the headset, the headset is very heavy and is really my only complaint with it”

A day in, this Arc Raiders player finds the Audeze Maxwell sounds amazing but gets uncomfortable because of thin foam, and the PC software is poor.

“got the maxwells yesterday and they sound amazing but get uncomfortable after a while as the foam between the middle of the cups and your ears are very thin”

This gamer finds the Audeze Maxwell's closed-back sound intimate, with top-notch directional audio for nearby sounds.

“With Maxwell (closed back) the sound is intimate and directional near sound is top.”

Trying both generations, this user found the Audeze Maxwell excellent for FPS positional audio but returned it as one of the most uncomfortable headphones they've worn.

“Audio for games was excellent, great positional audio for FPS, great clarity etc.”

This user owned three first-generation Audeze Maxwells and returned all of them because of buggy software.

“I’ve owned three pairs of Maxwell (1 generation). I returned them all because of buggy software.”

This owner's two Audeze Maxwells have held up for years with great sound, but they're so heavy their neck gets sore in long sessions.

“I have 2 Maxwells for various consoles/PC and they’ve both held up for years, no issues at all, sound is great, software is ok”

This original Audeze Maxwell owner finds it sturdy despite the weight, but gets intermittent crackling at zero volume.

“I only have the original Maxwell's, so I can't confirm any issues with the 2's unfortunately. my 1's have had some intermittent crackling at rest at zero volume”

An owner of several high-end headphones finds the Audeze Maxwell better than all of them for music and spectacular for gaming.

“If you can splurge a bit more, the Audeze Maxwells are insanely good as headphones and gaming headphones.”

This owner calls the Audeze Maxwell the best-sounding headphones they've had, but three pairs failed: one arrived faulty, one lasted six months, one lost a driver after two years.

“The Maxwells are the best-sounding headphones I've ever had but I can't believe how unreliable they are.”

This owner's lightly used Audeze Maxwell died before it was three years old.

“may less than 3 year old maxwell 1 just died last month and it wasn't heavily used.”

An owner of many high-end headphones finds the original Audeze Maxwell hard to beat.

“The Maxwell 1s are hard to beat. I've got a lot of high end headphones.”

After almost three years with the Audeze Maxwell, this user finds the sound really good but it's uncomfortable beyond 2–3 hours, even with an upgraded strap and pads.

“I have been using the Maxwell 1 for almost 3 years. I upgraded the strap to Capra Audio comfort strap and StealhZ ear pads.”

This user finds the Audeze Maxwell great but very heavy.

“I have the Maxwell 1 and they're great but sooo heavy.”

An Arc Raiders player on console chose the Audeze Maxwell over SteelSeries headsets: hears everything but struggles with direction, and needed a comfort strap for its weight after 2.5–3 hours.

“The only issue I have with Audeze is directional audio.”

A CS2 player replaced their BlackShark V2 with the original Audeze Maxwell and says they've never had better gaming headphones.

“I replaced my old blackshark v2 with maxwells in february and never been happier.”

An owner of the original Audeze Maxwell calls them a decent set of cans for gaming.

“I have the Maxwell 1, and they are a decent set of cans for gaming.”

A gamer says nothing they've tried beats the Audeze Maxwell for price-to-performance and wireless.

“Buy an Audeze Maxwell and call it a day. You can't beat them for their price to performance and wireless capabilities compared to everything else I've tried.”

A gamer rotates the Audeze Maxwell as their closed-back wireless pick.

“I cycle between two pairs of headphones while gaming, depending on my mood and I use either; Audeze Maxwell or Epos H6 Pro Open”

After lots of research, a gamer finds the Audeze Maxwell really good at everything but not great, and heavy.

“Maxwells could do it all. I would say really good in most aspects but not "great." First and foremost, they're heavy”

A gamer recommends the Audeze Maxwell for wireless: crank the sub bass in the app and the dongle gives perfect low latency.

“Wireless? Audeze Maxwell, no contest.”

Using the Maxwell 1 almost daily since launch, a gamer is very pleased and still impressed by its soundstage.

“I've been using the Audeze Maxwell 1 since they were released. Been using them almost everyday and very pleased with them.”

Owning 17-18 headsets, a gamer confidently recommends the original Audeze Maxwell above the rest for wireless.

“If you're willing to spend that kind of money and you want wireless, Audeze Maxwell Hands down.”

A Maxwell 1 owner says nothing at its price comes close.

“at that price range, nothing gets close to the Audeze Maxwell, I've got the Maxwell 1”

An Audeze Maxwell owner is thrilled with its detailed planar sound for gaming and music.

“I would try the Audeze Maxwell. I have them and I'm thrilled.”

A player who has used many headphones says the original Audeze Maxwell sounds incredible, like far pricier headphones, with an 80-hour battery.

“I have the Maxwell one and have used so many headphones it’s ridiculous . The maxwells sound incredible like $509 headphones and they have an 80hr battery.”

After trying many headsets, the Audeze Maxwell's sound and detail blow them away every time they game.

“I tried a bunch and the Audeze Maxwell blows my mind with the SQ every time I game.”

Their Maxwell (gen 1) sounded thin at first, but running them over USB-C took them to another level.

“I’ll be honest, I had the same issue with my Maxwell 1’s. But running them straight, USB-C now, put them on a whole another level!”

Their Maxwell (gen 1) lost the right earcup after about 2 years of daily use.

“Just lost the right earcup in the Maxwell 1's. From what ive read that means they are dead. Got about 2 years of daily use out of them.”

Owned the first Audeze Maxwell: great sound quality, but a little heavy and hot.

“I’ve owned the Audeze Maxwell version 1. Great sound quality. Just a little heavy and hot.”

Owns the Audeze Maxwell and fully recommends it for single-player gaming.

“I have the Audeze Maxwell and fully recommend them”

Had issues with the first Maxwell, mostly weight and slight static from mic monitoring, but found the sound quality amazing.

“I had my issues with the Maxwell 1 (mostly weight, and slight static interference from mic monitoring). But sound quality is not one of them.”

After many audiophile headphones, the original Maxwell is their go-to gaming headset for speed, accuracy and authenticity.

“The Maxwell Gen 1 are my go-to cans these days because I prefer speed, accuracy, and authenticity.”

A few years with the first-gen Audeze Maxwell (Xbox): they love its great sound, good microphone, very low-latency dongle wireless and deep EQ customisation for games, movies and music.

“I know the Xbox can for sure because that is the model I have had for a few years and have loved them.”

Nearly three years in it's still going, with only the ear cushions replaced as normal wear.

“+1 for Audeze ; I've had an Audeze Maxwell pair for nearly three years now.”

Their Maxwell developed the known driver problem, separating and squealing, so they don't consider it very durable.

“Maxwell 1 has driver issues. They tend to start separating and making squealing noises (happened to my set).”

Uses the original Maxwell and has never had white noise or artifacts.

“I use Maxwell (not the mark 2, the OG ones) and have never experienced what you describe”

Very good audio quality for the price.

“I have Maxwell 1's, there are 2's and an ANC version of the 2 available. Very good audio quality for the price.”