AUDEZE MAXWELL REVIEW

Boy oh boy is this a hot cake (not the bakery). When the Maxwell was first released in Bangladesh this thing sold out in a jiffy. We did not even get a chance to open a review unit but nonetheless we finally managed to snag one. Now before we dive into the review, I want to make some stuffs clear, this review will not only be from an audiophiles perspective rather I will be doing it from a gamers perspective and will add a little bit of the sound signature because SPOILER ALERT there is not much to say about the sound signature and that is a good thing you will get to see why. 

Out of the Box

With the Maxwell you will be getting a decent amount of accessories:

• USB-C dongle
• USB-C charging cable
• USB-C to USB-A adapter cable
• 3.5mm analog cable
• Detachable hypercardioid boom mic with windscreen

All in all this might not look like much however, most gaming headphone brands do not provide a USB-C to USB-A and Audeze going out of their way to provide one is super thoughtful. Now having a USB-C dongle is also a huge plus for Maxwell because that means you can use it on your phone as well although it is recommended to use Bluetooth for phone and tablet connections. The provided mic is also quite decent. You will be able to portray all the profanities you want to that feeding teammate from the Philippines.

Design and Comfort

The build quality of the Maxwell is top-notch, featuring a combination of aluminium and spring steel.The Maxwell is a bit on the heavier side however, this is still a very comfortable headphone and can be used for a long time without any issues. Audeze clearly put a lot of thought into comfort. The earcups are generously sized and fitted with plush memory foam padding and soft leatherette. This creates a luxurious feel and an excellent seal, passively blocking out a good amount of external noise. The headband also features a comfortable suspension strap, further distributing weight and ensuring a secure fit.  

Now, it's worth mentioning that the earcups, while comfortable overall, might get a bit warm after extended use, especially if you're gaming in a warmer room.  But don't worry, aftermarket earpads are a great option, and we recommend checking out the pads from Wicked Cushions, which we'll be offering soon! They provide better breathability and an even more customized fit.

Portability

Now in this section we are going to talk about the battery life and how portable the headphone actually is. According to Audeze you are supposed to get +80 hours of battery life at 80dBA which unfortunately I did not get to test out as we had to return the unit soon, however many users have reported to have gotten over 50+ hours of usage. 

This is decent but not nearly enough to the amount they were claiming. Do note the 50+ hour of listening time is still no joke, other brands pale in comparison to the Maxwells battery life. One other thing you also get is a 20 min quick charge feature which lets you use the headphone the entire day which is pretty neat.

Now in terms of general portability, the wireless range of the Maxwell is actually insane. I tried grabbing some food while in the midst of playing from the kitchen and I had 0 connectivity issues. Some users have reported of upto 10 metres of wireless connectivity. 

Now with this insane range you might have some doubts on latency, which I was doubtful myself however, to my surprise there was absolutely no hint of latency issues. This is a huge plus point if you are looking to use this headphone competitively

One thing I will add is that the headphones are a bit heavy. Being a planar and coming with big batteries this is bound to happen. You might feel the heaviness a bit when you are trying it for the first time however once you adjust to it, this headphone is very comfortable. In general, the Maxwell does not scream as an outgoing headphone, you have better alternatives for that, but for gaming sessions these are perfect.

Sound and Sound Stage

The Maxwell is a closed back planar headphone. The bass is deep and powerful, adding impact to explosions and gunfire. The midrange is clear and articulate, allowing you to hear every detail of dialogue and footsteps. The highs are crisp and detailed, providing a sense of space and airiness. Overall, the sound signature is balanced and natural and you really do not have much to say which is really good considering that this headphone was built for gaming and does the job damn well.

The Maxwell's soundstage is surprisingly expansive for a closed-back headset. The 90mm planar magnetic drivers contribute to a wide and immersive soundscape, allowing you to pinpoint the location of enemies with precision. This is particularly beneficial in positional audio games, where accurately locating enemies is crucial.

Software

Unfortunately the software for the Maxwell is not up to the mark. One common mistake we found with other Maxwell users is that, while updating the firmware the software shows that it failed; however, the firmware was in fact properly updated! This is a hilarious mistake and Audeze should fix it ASAP. One other small  issue we found out was the headphones not getting detected however a light restart solves the issue. Other than that they have decent software and are quite useful to fine tune your headphones.

Conclusion

The Audeze Maxwell is a truly impressive gaming headset that excels in almost every aspect. The sound quality is phenomenal, offering a rich, detailed, and immersive experience with a wide soundstage that enhances positional audio in games.  Comfort is top-notch, thanks to the lightweight design, plush earcups, and suspension headband. While the ear cups might warm up over time, aftermarket options like the Wicked Cushions can alleviate this. Battery life is exceptional, ensuring you can game for hours on end without interruption. The inclusion of a USB-C dongle adds to its versatility, allowing you to use it with your phone or other devices. One thing I would specifically like to mention as a con is the lack of noise cancellation support. Considering that this is a $300 headphone Audeze should have considered providing Noise Cancellation. To end the review all I will say is, even though the Maxwell comes with a premium price tag, its performance, comfort, and feature set make it a worthwhile investment for serious gamers seeking the best possible audio experience.

Author: Shaikh Jiaan Bin Tariq