Audeze Maxwell 2 Headset: 16 Upgrades, Same Brilliant Design
▼ Summary
– The Audeze Maxwell 2 is an updated version of a highly-regarded gaming headset, featuring 16 community-inspired improvements and a new companion app.
– It retains the core audio technology of the original, including its planar magnetic drivers, but has increased in weight due to the addition of a bass-enhancing SLAM acoustic system.
– Other physical upgrades include ported ear cups for better bass, a vented headstrap for cooling, and magnetically-attachable skins for customization.
– Internal improvements include a microphone with double the bandwidth, enhanced AI noise removal, and support for Bluetooth Auracast, though simultaneous Bluetooth connections remain unavailable.
– The new Maxwell 2 is available now, with a PlayStation version priced at $329 and a slightly more expensive Xbox version at $349, which includes a Dolby Atmos license.
Improving a product already considered the best in its class presents a significant challenge. Audeze has risen to that challenge with the Maxwell 2, introducing sixteen community-inspired upgrades while preserving the core design that made the original planar magnetic gaming headset an audiophile favorite. The launch coincides with a much-needed overhaul of the company’s companion software, marking a comprehensive refresh for its flagship audio gear.
At first glance, the fundamentals remain reassuringly familiar. The Maxwell 2 retains the same excellent 90mm planar magnetic drivers, Fluxor magnet arrays, and Fazor waveguides that delivered its predecessor’s acclaimed sound. Even the substantial 1800mAh battery capacity is unchanged. However, the headset’s weight has increased from 490 to 560 grams, hinting at meaningful internal additions.
A primary contributor to that extra heft is the new SLAM (Symmetric Linear Acoustic Modulator) system. This technology, first seen in Audeze’s LCD-S20, uses physical acoustic channels to enhance bass response and improve overall audio balance. Several external tweaks are also visible: the ear cup backs now feature subtle porting, likely to add punch to the low end, and the headstrap is vented to improve airflow during marathon gaming sessions. Users can now also personalize the ear cups with different magnetic skins.
Beyond the physical changes, a host of internal refinements aim to elevate the experience. The microphone now offers double the bandwidth for clearer voice capture, while spatial audio precision and AI noise removal have received unspecified upgrades. The headset also gains support for Bluetooth Auracast, though the absence of simultaneous Bluetooth connections remains a notable omission.
For many long-term users, the most welcome news may be software-related. The original Maxwell’s companion app, while functional, was notoriously clunky and dated. Audeze has addressed this head-on with a brand-new application. This modern replacement features a crisp, clear interface and significantly improved speed, finally providing a user experience that matches the hardware’s premium quality. Early reports suggest some lingering connectivity quirks when switching between USB and the wireless dongle, indicating room for further polish.
The PlayStation version of the Audeze Maxwell 2 is available now for $329. The Xbox variant, priced at $349, currently faces a two-to-three week shipping delay due to a regulatory issue. The price difference stems from the included Dolby Atmos license for spatial audio on Xbox, whereas the PlayStation model utilizes Sony’s proprietary Tempest 3D AudioTech.
(Source: PC Gamer)
