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headset
Audeze

Maxwell 2

Category
Headset
Weight
560 g
Connection
Wireless (USB-C dongle, Bluetooth 5.3) + USB-C, 3.5 mm
Key specs
90 mm planar magnetic drivers, detachable hypercardioid boom mic
Form factor
Closed-back

What gamers keep saying · from 41 reviews

great sound26quality control issues13uncomfortable8comfortable3wireless2connection issues1

Upgrading from an Arctis 7, they are blown away by how good the Maxwell 2 sounds on their desktop PC.

positivegreat sound

Loved the Maxwell 2 but returned it because of moisture building up in the left cup.

mixedquality control issues

Loves their Maxwell 2 and says nothing beats the Maxwells' sound quality, though the first version may be the better deal.

positivegreat sound

Owning both, they find the Maxwell 2 sounds better than the FiiO FT1, but it is very heavy and known for hiss QC issues.

mixedgreat soundquality control issues

The Maxwell 2 was the best-sounding thing they'd heard, but they returned it over constant background hiss and a heavy, hard clamp that caused hotspots.

mixedgreat sounduncomfortablequality control issues

After many Arctis and HyperX headsets and a DT 990 Pro, they couldn't be happier with the Maxwell 2's amazing, clear sound.

positivegreat sound

Their Maxwell 2 PlayStation edition sounds really good but is very uncomfortable: ears get hot within an hour, causing crinkle, and it weighs about 550g.

mixedgreat sounduncomfortable

Finds the Maxwell 2 better overall than the original, mainly in comfort thanks to a new strap and softer fit, though still heavy.

positivecomfortable

With an extra padded headband their Maxwell 2 is fine for long sessions; battery lasts up to 80 hours and the mic is awesome.

positivewireless

Evaluated three Maxwell 2 units and all exhibited an audible noise floor.

negativequality control issues

Their new Maxwell 2 is the heaviest headphone they own, heavier than their 544g LCD-2 Classic.

negative

On their second Maxwell 2, they love the sound but planar crinkle triggered by heat after 30-40 minutes in a humid climate is making them give up.

negativequality control issuesgreat sound

Returned the Maxwell 2 after 48 hours: sound was truly great with no hiss, but the boom mic kept disconnecting the headset from the dongle.

mixedgreat soundconnection issues

After a firmware update fixed launch issues, their Maxwell 2's sub-bass matches the original and sidetone sounds natural; they are loving it now.

positivegreat sound

Got a Maxwell 2 without the reported hiss and prefers its sound and imaging to the Kithara, though it is heavy.

positivegreat sound

Their Maxwell 2 had hiss and occasional crackling while playing Battlefield 6.

negativequality control issues

Switching from the BlackShark V3 Pro, this user finds the Audeze Maxwell 2 a significant audio upgrade with an equally good mic after the firmware update.

“I ended up picking up the Maxwell 2s. They are a significant upgrade in terms of audio quality, and the mic honestly sounds just as good if not better”
positivegreat sound

This user finds the Audeze Maxwell 2 fixes most of the original's issues and offers great sound value, but it's still very heavy.

“The Maxwell 2 fixes many of the issues I had with the original model, except for the weight. It’s a heavy headphone.”
mixedgreat sounduncomfortable

After two weeks, this user returned the Audeze Maxwell 2 despite excellent game audio because it was extremely uncomfortable beyond an hour.

“However the reason I returned them was comfort. Quite possibly the most uncomfortable headphones I've ever tried to wear for more than an hour.”
mixeduncomfortablegreat sound

Coming from HD598s, this user finds the Audeze Maxwell 2 a huge step up: crazy detail, separation, bass and soundstage, plus a good mic and 80-hour battery.

“I just got the Maxwell 2s and compared to my HD598s, they are a huge step. Crazy detail and separation, good bass and sound stage.”
positivegreat sound

This user loves how the Audeze Maxwell 2 sounds but rates its comfort 0/5.

“I personally think that if you can live with how uncomfortable Maxwell 2 is (to me it's 0/5 comfort) then keep that one. I love how it sounds.”
mixedgreat sounduncomfortable

A user returned the Maxwell 2 because it was too heavy.

“Which is why I returned Maxwell 2.”
negativeuncomfortable

An owner loves the Maxwell 2's sound and kept their good unit, ranking it above the Stealth Pro II and Nova Pro Omni.

“Sound quality wise I love my Maxwell 2”
positivegreat sound

Owning both, a gamer finds the Maxwell 2 more comfortable than the Nova Pro, wearable for hours without ear fatigue.

“Ohhh and i find more comfortable the Maxwells 2, I can use it more hours without feeling any fatigue in my ears.”
positivecomfortable

An Xbox player prefers the Maxwell 2's sound over their Nova Pro.

“On my Xbox I have the Maxwell 2s. I like their sound better”
positivegreat sound

A gamer says the Maxwell 2 is the first headset to give them neck pain, the most uncomfortable they've tried.

“I have the Maxwell 2s or whatever, first headset ever to give me neck pain.”
negativeuncomfortable

A gamer found the Maxwell 2 sounds amazing but its persistent white-noise floor at low volume ruined it for them.

“I’d personally avoid the Maxwell 2s they sound amazing but my god the noise floor on them was unbearable for me.”
negativequality control issues

Testing both for a week, a gamer finds the Maxwell 2 better sounding than the Stealth Pro II, though it lacks low-end punch for electronic music.

“I think both stealth pro 2 and Maxwell 2 have great sound. Maxwell is definitely better”
positivegreat sound

An owner finds the Maxwell 2 nice but very heavy to wear.

“The Maxwell 2 is a nice headset but very heavy (I own one) to wear.”
mixeduncomfortable

A month in, a user loves the Maxwell 2 as a big upgrade over the A50 Gen 4 with true 80-hour battery, but warns of QC lottery.

“I just got a pair like a month ago as it seemed like a huge improvement over my a50 gen 4s. Instant difference, i love them. But....you either get a really good pair or you get a shit pair.”
positivegreat soundquality control issues

A user found the Maxwell 2 great for music and movies but disappointing for competitive FPS, and lacking a parametric EQ.

“I already tried the Audeze Maxwell 2 and didn’t like it for FPS.”
negative

A user with many headphones says the Maxwell 2 stands out for immersive gaming and has an excellent mic.

“Audeze Maxwell 2 Great for immersive gaming, excellent microphone. I own a lot of headphones, from dj stuff to hifi listening, this one stands out.”
positivegreat sound

A Maxwell 2 owner finds it fantastic with solid passive isolation.

“I have the Maxwell 2’s. It is fantastic.”
positivegreat sound

A user finds the Maxwell 2 the best-sounding but went through two defective units before getting a good one.

“Maxwell 2 is the best sounding but the QC with Audeze sucks. I had two defective headsets before the 3rd worked great”
mixedgreat soundquality control issues

A picky user says their Maxwell 2 has been perfect with sound on another level.

“Another vote for Maxwell 2. Mine have been 100% perfect and I’m a picky fellow. The sound is on another level!”
positivegreat sound

A user calls the Maxwell 2 the best and doesn't mind its weight.

“Maxwell2 is the best. And the weight is not a problem for me. It s only 550g. And mine works very well.”
positive

After a few months, a user's Audeze Maxwell 2 keeps emitting random high-pitched buzzing that makes it unusable.

“I have had the headset for a few months and it keeps doing this.”
negativequality control issues

Loved the Maxwell 2's comfort and sound at first, but its soda-can popping in silent moments made them return it.

“At first I loved them, they were comfortable to me, the weight didn’t bother me, and they sound great. However, the “soda can popping” during silent moments has driven me insane.”
negativequality control issues

On their Maxwell 2, teammates say they're very quiet and cut out constantly, even after maxing every setting.

“I play a lot of dayz and other shooters where voip is a major part of the game but in every one of them people say I’m way quiet and I cut out constantly”
negative

The Maxwell 2 sounded amazing but developed metallic crinkling and popping, so they returned it.

“I bought the maxwell 2 it sounded amazing. But then after 10 minutes, I would start hearing metallic crinkling or popping noises”
negativequality control issues

Just got the Maxwell 2 for gaming and is underwhelmed: still thin even with bass boosted and lacking clarity.

“Just got the maxwell 2's and I am a bit underwhelmed? I turned up the bass in the eq and still a bit thin. Overall clarity is a bit lacking”
negative

Bought the Maxwell 2 for competitive FPS: very comfortable though hefty, high quality, absurdly good positional audio and music, and only 8% battery used in about 6 hours.

“Yup I went with the Maxwell 2s and they're absolutely amazing, so comfortable it's unreal, hefty obviously but high quality and absurdly good for positional audio”
positivecomfortablegreat sound

Trying out the Maxwell 2 after an Arctis Pro Wireless: on the heavy side but absolutely awesome.

“I have the steelseries arctis pro wireless and am currently trying out the Audeze Maxwell 2, besides from being on the heavy side, this thing isabsolutely awesome!”
positivegreat sound

Just bought the Maxwell 2 and finds little to no bass and only mid sound quality, saying their 5-6 year old Arctis 5 still sounds better.

“There’s little to no bass with them and the quality to me is just mid. In my opinion my 5-6 yr old steel series artic 5’s are still better than these headphones.”
negative

Owns the Maxwell 2 (non-ANC) but uses it less than their Stealth Pro II because it lacks simultaneous Bluetooth.

“Maxwell 2 for me lacks simultaneous bluetooth”
mixed

Chose the Maxwell 2 over the ANC version; 80-hour battery and it already blocks out almost all sound.

“Maxwell 2 is what I got. 80hrs battery life.”
positivewireless

They rival their studio headphones in many areas, though heavy, pricey and without true simultaneous Bluetooth.

“I have the Maxwell IIs and they rival my music studio headphones in many areas.”
positivegreat sound

After hating the Nova Pro's sound they moved to the Maxwell 2 and couldn't be happier.

“I got Audeze maxwell 2 now and couldn’t be happier.”
positive

Quality control was horrible: they returned three units, and a repair through Audeze took over a month after the wrong part was ordered, so they gave up on it.

“I was also recommended the Maxwell 2's, but unfortunately Thier quality control was horrible.”
negativequality control issues

Has the best sidetone of any wireless headset they've used.

“Audeze Maxwell 2 has the best I’ve used.”
positive