Audeze Maxwell gaming headphones: The ultimate all-in-one audio experience
Audeze Maxwell gaming headphones. Picture: Audeze.
The search for the perfect pair of gaming headphones can be a never-ending quest. Gamers need exceptional sound quality, comfort for long sessions, and features that enhance gameplay. Yet, many gaming headsets fail, delivering either great sound but poor comfort or an impressive design but subpar audio quality. The Audeze Maxwell is a pair of gaming headphones that promise to check all the boxes, offering a premium audio experience for gaming, music, movies, and more.
The Maxwell is from a brand better known for their audiophile headphones. I am biased towards Audeze headphones since I own a set of their incredible LCD-X cans, which feature the same planar magnetic speaker design as the Maxwell. That said, and out of the way, I’ve spent the last few weeks testing Maxwell, which, unlike the LCD-Xs, are closed-back and feature a boom mic, but no tacky RGB lighting shouting “gamer living between these cans”.
Constructed from aluminium and steel, these headphones feel sturdy and durable, yet they maintain a sleek, modern aesthetic that wouldn’t look out of place among high-end audiophile gear. At first glance, you might not even realise they’re gaming headphones, especially with the detachable microphone removed. They could easily pass without the mic for a stylish pair of everyday headphones.
Comfort is crucial for any headset, especially for gamers who may wear them for hours. The Maxwell delivers on this front with its suspension headband and plush ear pads. The suspended headband is nothing new to me since the LCD-X uses a similar band, but it’s not what most headphones use. You don’t get the same level of granular size adjustment, but I love that once you find the sweet spot, it’s locked in with no chance of accident adjustment like a sliding headband.
The memory foam ear pads are soft and form-fitting, ensuring a snug fit without causing discomfort during long sessions. My only criticism of the ear pads is that they get warm. While not a big deal if you’re sensitive to heat, there are lots of third-party ear pads available that claim to keep your ears cool. I haven’t tried any of these, but the pads are designed so that you can remove them easily.
While the Maxwell is heavier than your typical gaming headphones due to the planar magnetic drivers, the headband design distributes the weight well, so they don’t feel heavy on the head. However, if you wear them for hours, you will eventually feel the weight.
The Maxwell features unique 90mm planar magnetic drivers. Unlike the dynamic drivers found in most gaming headsets, planar magnetic drivers offer a more precise and detailed sound signature. The result is an audio experience that feels more lifelike, with clear mids, detailed highs, and a tight, controlled bass. This isn’t the booming, bass-heavy sound you might get from other gaming headsets, but rather a balanced and natural tone that excels across a wide range of genres and use cases. While listening to my 'headphone testing' playlist, one of the things that stood out was the imaging. The precise instrument separation is incredible.
When it comes to gaming, this clarity pays off in spades. The mids are particularly well-represented, making in-game dialogue crisp and clear. Gunshots, footsteps, and other audio cues are rendered with pinpoint accuracy, giving you an edge in competitive play.Â
The broad soundstage and excellent imaging make locating sounds in the game world easier, essential for tactical shooters or expansive open-world games.
I received the Xbox/PC version of the Maxwell, which comes with a USB-C dongle with built-in support for Dolby Atmos. Once you connect the headphones to your PC using the included USB-C dongle, the Dolby Atmos license activates automatically, providing a surround sound experience perfect for gaming and movie watching. The spatial audio adds depth and dimension, making it feel like you’re in the middle of the action.
The dongle is the best way to take advantage of the Maxwell. It works on Xbox and PC/Mac and even worked well on the ROG Ally X gaming handheld.
The Maxwell supports Bluetooth 5.3 and the USB-C dongle, giving you two wireless options. The Bluetooth connection also supports advanced codecs like LC3 and LDAC, ensuring high-quality audio even when not plugged in. This versatility makes the Maxwell ideal for more than just gaming — you can seamlessly listen to music on your phone or watch a movie on your tablet without missing a beat.
Audeze claims up to 80 hours of use on a single charge, and in my testing, that figure held up. The fast charging capability is even more impressive —a 20-minute charge provides up to 20 to 30 hours of playback. This is a game-changer for gamers who often forget to charge their devices.
Audeze designed the Maxwell to be easy to use, so there are no touch surfaces. All controls are on the left ear cup, including a power button, a mic mute switch, and two wheels — one for volume and another for balancing game and chat audio. Using dials instead of buttons is smart, allowing for precise adjustments on the fly without taking your eyes off the screen. However, despite the groves, I found the dial too smooth — some texture would have helped here.
The Maxwell works with desktop and mobile apps for those who like to tinker with their audio settings.
These apps provide access to various pre-built EQ settings, allowing you to fine-tune the sound to your liking. Unlike many other headsets, the Maxwell responds well to EQ adjustments, making it easy to customise the audio profile to suit different games, music, or movies. You can also adjust the sidetone, which controls how much of your voice you hear when using the microphone.
The Maxwell includes a detachable hypercardioid mic with AI-powered noise filtering. The microphone does an excellent job of isolating your voice, ensuring that teammates hear you clearly, even in noisy environments. The noise filtering is effective without making your voice sound unnatural, striking a balance between clarity and realism.
The Audeze Maxwell is more than just a gaming headset; it’s a versatile audio solution that excels in multiple areas. With its premium build quality, exceptional sound performance, and a host of features tailored to gamers and audiophiles, the Maxwell is a top contender for anyone looking for a do-it-all pair of headphones. The inclusion of Dolby Atmos, long battery life, and dual wireless connectivity further enhance its value, making it a worthwhile investment for serious gamers and casual users alike.
Audeze Maxwell for PlayStation €375
Audeze Maxwell for Xbox €428 richersounds.ie
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