Audeze Maxwell 2 Headset Boosts Immersion, Bass & AI Noise Canceling
▼ Summary
– The Audeze Maxwell 2 is an updated gaming headset with improved sound for gaming and music, better microphone noise-canceling, and design tweaks for comfort.
– Its key audio upgrade is the new SLAM technology, which enhances spatial immersion and bass, while retaining the original’s wide-frequency 90mm planar magnetic drivers.
– The design remains similar but includes a wider head strap and roomier earpads for comfort, though it is slightly heavier than the previous model.
– It offers versatile connectivity via 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth, and wired options, with up to 80 hours of battery life on wireless.
– The headset is available now for $329 (PlayStation version) and $349 (Xbox version), with both versions compatible with PC and other devices.
Audeze has significantly upgraded its acclaimed Maxwell gaming headset with the new Maxwell 2, delivering enhanced audio immersion, more powerful bass, and smarter microphone technology. This latest iteration aims to solidify its position as a top-tier choice for gamers and audiophiles seeking premium sound quality and versatile connectivity.
The most significant upgrade in the Maxwell 2 is the integration of Audeze’s proprietary SLAM technology. This innovation, which first appeared in the company’s flagship CRBN2 electrostatic headphones, is engineered to produce a more immersive spatial audio experience with greater precision and a notably punchier bass response. The headset retains the excellent 90mm planar magnetic drivers from the original model, which provide an exceptionally wide frequency response range of 10Hz to 50,000Hz. This far exceeds the standard 20Hz to 20,000Hz range typical of most gaming headsets, promising exceptional detail and clarity.
During a hands-on demonstration, the detail and positional accuracy of the audio were particularly impressive. This heightened clarity should translate to a tangible advantage in competitive gaming, making it easier to pinpoint the direction of footsteps or gunfire. For music listening, the headset proved very transparent to the source material, reproducing tracks with great fidelity. The soundstage was noted as being slightly confined, which is somewhat expected given the large, closed-back design, but the overall sonic performance was praised as outstanding.
The detachable boom microphone now features improved AI-powered noise canceling, though it’s unclear if this enhancement applies to the built-in microphones as well. Initial impressions of the sidetone were positive, though a full evaluation of the noise-canceling efficacy was challenging in a busy show floor environment. The design maintains a familiar, robust aesthetic with large round earcups, plush leatherette memory foam earpads, and a sturdy steel headband. Comfort improvements include a wider, ventilated head strap and earpads redesigned with more internal space to accommodate a broader range of users. It remains a substantial headset, however, with a weight of 1.23 pounds (560g), which is about 2.5 ounces (70g) heavier than the original model.
The headset features magnetic side plates that allow for customization, though alternate designs are not available at launch. It continues to offer versatile connectivity with 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth, and wired options, and boasts an impressive battery life of up to 80 hours on a single charge for wireless use. The Maxwell 2 enters a growing field of planar magnetic gaming headsets, facing competition like the Asus ROG Kithara, a collaboration with HiFiMan that features 100mm drivers and an open-back design.
The Audeze Maxwell 2 is available for purchase now. The PlayStation-compatible version is priced at $329, while the Xbox variant costs $349. Both models are fully compatible with PC, Android, iOS, and Nintendo Switch platforms.
(Source: Tom’s Hardware)
