There are undoubtedly loads of headphones in the marketplace to select from, and the listing grows greater virtually each time you blink. That stated, many classes of headphones help with making higher decisions for the patron. Even then, nonetheless, you’re nonetheless left with loads of choices. These choices embody whether or not it is best to go for wi-fi, anticipated battery life should you do, over or in-ear, aesthetics and plenty of extra. The newly-launched Audeze Maxwell Gaming Headphones intention to cowl many of those choices in a single gadget for critical audiophiles.
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Though the gadget is marketed as gaming headphones, it’s fairly versatile in what it may be used for, the place and the way lengthy. With a bunch of options and configuration choices, it additionally brings as many choices to customers which can be typically a stumbling block to creating the proper alternative when selecting a pair of headphones.
Design and Construct
In terms of the design, it isn’t your typical pair of gaming headphones. As a substitute, it seems to be minimalistic, extra consistent with knowledgeable aesthetic. That is how I desire it: a solid-looking gadget with a premium aesthetic.
As with many different gaming headphones, the Maxwell is giant. This, nonetheless, is the case for many over-the-year designs. That stated, most different pairs of headphones on this class have a rounded rectangle form to the construct. Nevertheless, on this occasion, it incorporates a round method, which creates a big footprint in dimension.
The bigger body additionally brings with it added cushioning. Its cups are stuffed with sufficient padding to resemble a pillow, because it wraps properly round your ears. This additionally doubles as a first-line buffer for noise. The padded cups are completed with a pretend leather-based materials that feels fairly plush, including to the mushy really feel.
There are two drawbacks to the design method of the Audeze Maxwell. First, with its outsized body, the burden would all the time come into play. Weighing 490g, there’s extra weight to position in your head for an prolonged interval. Nevertheless, the cushioning does a wonderful job of lessening the influence.
One other of those comes from the scarf. Not like the usual sizing choices that develop from the internal body, the Maxwell makes use of pegs that may be strapped to pick out the tightness of the scarf. With this method, getting the exact sizing you want is more difficult. Though I wasn’t too fussed about it typically, I can think about for a lot of others, it may very well be a little bit of a problem.
The matte black end and minimalist design have a premium appear and feel. It doesn’t test all of the packing containers however seems to be good and can also be very snug.
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Options and Software program
The primary notable function distinction of the headphones lies of their a number of connection choices. It gives a wi-fi choice by way of its auxiliary cable and two wi-fi choices due to its built-in Bluetooth 5.3 assist and an added USB dongle for direct WiFi. What’s nice about these choices is that it really works very nicely. At no level did I battle to connect with any gadget I used to be utilizing, whether or not it was my PC, smartphone or console.
Moreover, it might probably additionally hook up with a number of units without delay. I discovered it fairly fascinating to connect with my smartphone and PC collectively and pause audio on the PC after which proceed utilizing it for the smartphone. In fact, it’s not 100% seamless between the sources, however when you cease audio on one gadget and begin on one other, it’ll proceed accordingly. This is a wonderful nice-to-have function.
Along with the cables and WiFi dongle included within the contents, you’ll additionally discover a growth mic. This connects to the left-hand aspect earcup, which additionally homes all of the buttons and controls of the Audeze Maxwell. Curiously, it wasn’t till just a few days later that I observed that I had not linked the growth mic. As a substitute, I used the mic function with out it, which labored nicely. Nevertheless, it lacked the noise cancelling and suppression options which have been added. When linked, you’ll be able to select to allow these options as nicely by way of the software program. This works excellently in precept however makes your voice barely tinnier than standard audio.
The gadget has two variations – one for Xbox and the opposite for PlayStation. What’s nice is that they’ll each work on PC and Mac and even the Change console. That being stated, with some tinkering and the cables included, I managed to get the PlayStation model to work with my Xbox. In fact, you gained’t have all of the included options, however it’ll nonetheless work.
In that regard, enabling many extra options, resembling default sound, encompass sound and extra, requires the software program to be put in in your PC. As well as, it natively helps AAC and LDAC codecs, which cowl many bases, however for an genuine expertise, you want to obtain and set up the software program.
For spacial audio for use, it’ll work out-the-box with the Xbox model by way of Dolby Atmos. Nevertheless, for the PlayStation model, it’s essential to use the Dolby Atmos app ($14.99) or the Razer THX Spatial Audio software program ($19.99).
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Efficiency and Battery

You don’t have to be an audiophile to listen to the standard with the Audeze Maxwell Gaming Headphones. Not like the vast majority of different audio units which use dynamic drivers, Audeze employs a distinct system often called planar magnetic drivers. Because of this, it produces extra correct and exact audio copy – or no less than in concept.
It makes use of a diaphragm with a conductor embedded inside between two magnetic components to the touch on the know-how behind planar magnetic drivers. That is in comparison with dynamic drivers, the place the conductor is hooked up. The thought is that it provides extra management over the audio manufacturing however isn’t as effectively produced, therefore the worth distinction.
And it reveals when any audio is produced. When enjoying video games for which it’s geared extra, you can also make out the faint distinctions between the completely different components. For instance, in some AAA video games, you hear the wind rustling by way of leaves or the footsteps on the sand. Nevertheless, the place it stands out most is the explosive sounds of gunfire and bombs. It’s full and clear and one thing I may hearken to repeatedly.
Switching issues to music, there was far more high quality available. The extra background sounds are extra noticeable with out affecting the foreground audio. That is additionally true in the case of watching motion pictures. As talked about, the gunshots and explosions are fairly vivid, making motion motion pictures all of the extra spectacular.
Whereas it has wonderful default audio out of the field, it may be improved with some added options, as talked about beforehand. Though the software program isn’t the best to make use of, you’ll be able to allow and distinguish the standard to your liking whereas additionally getting essentially the most out of spatial and ambient sounds. That is nice for gaming and even enhances listening to music.
Battery life is as spectacular, boasting as much as 80 hours of playback. To place that into perspective, you’d want three consecutive days of playback earlier than worrying about recharging the battery. Through the rundown checks, it took me three days of eight to 10 hours each day, and I might nonetheless have one other 5 days of use on the present price.
What’s nice in regards to the battery is that it additionally gives fast-charging assist. This implies you’ll be able to stand up to a day’s playback in lower than half-hour.
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Are the Audeze Maxwell Gaming Headphones Value It?
I wasn’t conscious of the Audeze model earlier than the assessment alternative. Nevertheless, it’s a comparatively new model within the area. The Audeze Maxwell Gaming Headphones make a superb case for remaining a high-quality model for audiophiles and players.
This high quality, nonetheless, does come at a premium. The retail value for these headphones is R6,999, which places it within the vary of different premium models such because the Sony WH-1000XM5 and firm. Total, nonetheless, these are nice headphones, and the worth isn’t unjustified.
The Evaluate
Audeze Maxwell Gaming Headphones
PROS
- Nice high quality audio
- Stable construct high quality and design
- A good variety of options