Audeze Maxwell 2: Upgrading the Best Wireless Gaming Headset
▼ Summary
– The Audeze Maxwell 2 is the upgraded successor to the Maxwell, featuring improvements in audio, microphone quality, comfort, and bass response at a slightly higher price.
– Its key audio upgrade is the new SLAM technology, which uses planar magnetic drivers and waveguides to deliver an expansive frequency range for enhanced spatial immersion and bass.
– The headset includes an AI noise-cancelling microphone with double the bandwidth of its predecessor for clearer in-game communication.
– A significant drawback is its increased weight of 560 grams, though it incorporates a redesigned head strap for comfort and retains an 80-hour battery life.
– It is available now, with PlayStation and Xbox models priced at $329 and $349 respectively, and a new Audeze mobile app allows for customization of the headset’s settings.
The Audeze Maxwell 2 has officially arrived, building upon the foundation of its critically acclaimed predecessor to deliver what promises to be a top-tier wireless gaming audio experience. This new iteration introduces several meaningful upgrades focused on sound performance, microphone clarity, and user customization, though it does so at a slightly increased price point and with a notable increase in overall weight.
A central enhancement in this model is the integration of Audeze’s proprietary SLAM (Sound Localization and Accuracy Module) technology. This system pairs the headset’s 90mm planar magnetic drivers with specialized magnets and waveguides. The result, according to the manufacturer, is a more immersive spatial audio experience with greater precision and a significantly punchier bass response. The technology boasts an expansive frequency range from 10Hz to 50kHz. This same acoustic architecture has received positive feedback in other Audeze models like the S20 and CBRN2, suggesting a substantial sonic improvement for the Maxwell line.
Communication receives a major boost with a new AI noise-cancelling microphone that offers double the bandwidth of the microphone in the original Maxwell. This aligns with a broader trend in gaming peripherals aimed at ensuring crystal-clear voice chat by more effectively isolating speech from background noise. For personalization, the headset is supported by the newly launched Audeze companion app, available on mobile, Windows, and Mac platforms. This application allows users to fine-tune various settings, including custom equalizer profiles, which is a feature that has become a significant selling point for competitors like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova series.
One aspect that potential buyers must consider is the headset’s physical heft. The original Maxwell was noted for its substantial 490-gram weight. The Maxwell 2 takes this further, tipping the scales at 560 grams. While the previous model was generally well-balanced to mitigate discomfort during long sessions, this additional mass is significant. Audeze has incorporated a redesigned head strap to improve weight distribution and comfort. On a more positive note, the headset maintains an impressive 80-hour battery life, ensuring extended use between charges.
The Audeze Maxwell 2 is available now through various retailers. The PlayStation-compatible version is priced at $329, while the Xbox model costs $349. This represents a modest price increase over the first-generation Maxwell. In the United Kingdom, prices start at £339, with the Xbox variant at £369. The company has also indicated that a more premium version featuring active noise cancellation (ANC) is slated for release later in the spring.
(Source: IGN)
