Audeze Maxwell 2 Wireless Planar Magnetic Gaming Headset (Review)

Audeze is back with the next generation of the Maxwell series with the (you guessed it) Maxwell 2 Headset. The company said that it took its time to listen to user feedback to see how it could better dial in its flagship gaming headset to make it even better, and this is the result. Leading to better sound, better sidetone experience, and more customization.

The new planar-magnetic headset is capable of being used with virtually any device or system, regardless of whether it is wired or wireless. Your only limitation is your choice between two models, which include the PlayStation and Xbox models. Each one is licensed for their given system, but is open to just about everything else from there. Including computers, tablets, smartphones, mobile gaming systems, non-mobile gaming systems, headphone amps (within input volume limits), and more.

Really, the only difference between the two versions of the headset depends on which console (PS or Xbox) you prefer to lean toward. If you are an Xbox gamer, then you gain Xbox support with a built-in license for Atmos. Where, if you are a PlayStation gamer, you gain PlayStation support that works with PlayStation’s Tempest 3D audio.

Although you can technically get away with either system, you just lose support for wireless or the 3D capabilities if you pair it to the opposite of the two systems (ie, PlayStation headset paired via 3.5mm analog to the Xbox controller, etc). Wireless and 3D require special licenses and dongle support, so this is what causes the split.

But, no matter, since most gamers are usually faithful to either one side or the other, so it works (usually). So find the one that matches you, and it follows you to all of your other devices with ease and with multiple levels of connectivity (even multi-connectivity).

This headset comes with everything, and by everything, I mean everything. You can connect to any wired analog 3.5mm device you have, including headphone amps (although, within respectable volumes, as you don’t want to overpower its own DSP/amp inside). You can also go wired via USB-C (or USB-A adapter) to any device that supports USB headsets (which is virtually any computer/laptop, and even some smartphones and tablets).

Then you can go wireless to just about any device that supports it. You can opt for Bluetooth (5.3), which already covers a wide range of devices (computers, mobile devices, etc.). Pairing is easy and only requires a double-tap of its power button while it is turned on. Seconds later, you’re connected and ready to listen.

You also have the ability to use its USB dongle for a low-latency wireless (RF) connection, which works with computers/laptops, as well as the gaming console brand you’ve chosen between the two models. This mode is superior in comparison to Bluetooth and highly recommended for devices that support it (or obviously, the gaming console).

With all of these options, the world is your oyster. Although we found our favorite options for this model were USB wired and USB wireless for high-resolution and the most options, such as Atmos support via PC. Obviously, when pairing to your PlayStation console, the USB dongle is where it is at. So overall, USB wired or wireless seems to be the way to go. That being said, Bluetooth sounds great for when you need it. Just remember to enable LDAC within your Bluetooth settings on your device so you can take full advantage.

Except wait, there’s more! [using a QVC voice]. As mentioned, this headset supports multiple points of connectivity, so you can have two devices connected at the same time, depending on the order of things. For example, you can have it wired via USB or analog while also being connected to your smartphone via Bluetooth. Allowing you to multitask if you get a phone call while you’re gaming or watching something.

So when it comes to connectivity, this headset has it all. This isn’t really that new in comparison to the previous model, but you do gain things like LDAC and LE Audio support on the Bluetooth side of things. In general, both headsets should come pretty close on paper. So that makes the Maxwell 2 more of a refresh than anything, but that isn’t uncommon and makes perfect sense since the company also tweaked other features as well, which we will get to momentarily.

Spatial audio is something that can also be focused on with this model, as using it with games and media content, such as your favorite movies, really pays off compared to some of the alternatives out there from brands like Steelseries and Logitech. The soundstage is much larger and, as mentioned, when used on a PC via USB, opens up the option of using Atmos (although, with the PlayStation model, you do have to pay for the Atmos license within the Microsoft Store).

During our testing, while listening to Amazon Music (just a regular Prime account, so it wasn’t high-res), we randomly fell upon “Main Titles (You’ve Been Called Back to Top Gun)”, which is absolutely amazing. The track had such a wide-open soundstage, which felt a bit like the theme song for these headphones. It resulted in such a dramatic listening experience.

We then started pairing it to various high-res tracks in various formats, spanning everything from FLAC to DSD. All of it, resulting in a fantastic listening experience. Although I do have to admit that we did play with the EQ from time to time. For most general listening, I feel that we spent most of our time within the “Immersive” EQ setting. From there, we would mostly tweak the highs when certain tracks felt a little exhausting (but nothing terrible),

The new Audeze app is now available, which allows you to easily view and adjust these settings. You can adjust game chat and overall volume, as well as things like EQ, environmental noise filtering, and sidetone settings. The app is pretty user-friendly and doesn’t require any guesswork to adjust these settings. It doesn’t feel congested, while offering a nice GUI. This can also be used for updating its firmware. The app is available via both computer and mobile app stores, so you have options when it comes to these adjustments.

You aren’t limited to using the app, though, to adjust these settings. Audeze made sure you can adjust these on the fly using the headset itself. The headset has two volume wheels that act as an MFB (multi-function button) when you press them down. You can switch between general volume, track, sidetone, and EQ. This is nice, as some headphones are tethered to an app to adjust some of these options, which forces your attention away from your listening. Where this saves you steps while also providing options.

Shifting to sidetone! This is one of the focuses that Audeze touched on when it comes to refreshing the headset into its second generation. Users pointed out that the previous model would sometimes leak the sidetone back into the microphone, so the company wanted to make sure that this didn’t happen anymore. While also providing excellent environmental noise cancellation for both its internal and optional boom mic (seen in the image a little below).

We jumped into a few games of Battlefield 6 and found the microphone’s sidetone didn’t seem to be an issue. At least, not one we were able to detect during our in-game communication. You can adjust the sidetone level from off to barely noticeable, and then all the way to blasting (which we wouldn’t recommend). But using normal/mild sidetone settings, we didn’t run into any issues.

When it comes to noise filtering, the Maxwell 2 takes advantage of the same technology found in its Audeze FILTER device, which it launched a few years back. It was a portable conference/meeting style speakerphone that offered focused noise filtering to help those on the other end focus on whose talking. Now, that same technology is built into this headset so that people aren’t hearing everything else in your environment. Which seems to work very well (and you can adjust the settings for this as well, switching between off, low, or high). This is one of the focus points for the Maxwell 2 headset when it comes to the new features it brings to the table, so it is important that it works.

Now, we take a look at that boom mic. As mentioned, you can use the internal microphone (good for phone calls and general use scenarios like interacting with your phone’s digital assistant or IA. But the boom mic is detachable and highly recommended for gaming since it’s all about the detail. When it comes time to jump into your favorite game, you’ll want to slap that on and get in the zone.

It plugs right into the headset on the left side, and there is no guesswork as to where. Since the headset also supports 3.5mm analog, the company made sure to build the boom mic connection into a recessed port that it slides right into at a specific angle that creates a snug connection.

The headset also has a physical switch for muting and unmuting the microphone when you need to take a break from the discussion. All of these adjustments come with audible announcements within the headset, so there is no second-guessing what you just changed.

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This is where we found one of the only faults of this headset. We found the boom microphone to be a little, well, boomy. Not only that, but it was slightly distorted, which was a bit odd. In order to capture this, we connected it via USB to a computer.

The above sound clip captures a basic test while using the boom microphone. You can hear the slight distortion as it seems to be clipping. We even took the mic level down within Windows to see if it would help, but it didn’t. It seems to be internal and then feeding that out. We then switched to using the USB dongle and did the same thing, which resulted in the same.

So that was the only thing we really leaned on when it came to something we could focus on that needs a little improvement. Keeping in mind that this could (possibly) be fixed within a firmware update, so it is important to point out that this is based on the time of writing this and could change at any time.

When it comes to the Audeze FILTER technology being built in, there wasn’t anything to complain about there. This was a nice idea and a smart move by the company, as the competition continues to evolve with their ENC performance.

Another focus point, when it comes to what has changed, is the muffs/cushions and how easy it is to change them out. Normally, as you wear into your headphones and the cushions begin to grow old, crack, peel, or in some cases, fall completely apart/off (depending on the brand/model you have). But with the Audeze Maxwell 2 headset, the cushions simply pop on and off using magnets. So you simply pinch it by the cushion lip and pull up, and it pops right off. Place it back into place, and it snaps right back together.

This works well, while also allowing you to get a view of what’s happening beneath the fabric/cushion.

This is where the company highlights another one of its enhancements. Looking at the shape of things and the individual grooves, it is all part of what the company refers to as “SLAM” technology, which it claims helps with better spatial immersion and punchy bass. Think of it as something similar to porting a subwoofer. It creates channels for air to move around, which affects what it sounds like as it enters your ears.

You can also see the four magnets that match up to the back of the cushion and where the two halves slap into place.

It doesn’t stop there, though. Audeze also added magnets to the covers on the outside of the muffs, allowing users to pop them off. This allows you to replace them if they get scratched up, but more importantly, swap them out with a different design, or even design your own. That last option is (or will be) possible by allowing users to 3D print their own covers.

This way, you can swap the covers out with something that has your brand/logo or something else that makes it yours. It is similar to something Beyerdynamic did with its Custom Game and Custom Pro headphones. Only the approach Audeze took is far more friendly. You just have to see how it expects users to fit in the magnets if they are 3d printed vs buying into something custom.

So not only is Audeze trying to focus on gamers and high-res listeners, but it is also trying to cater to the streaming crowd who like to customize everything they get their hands on.

This leaves us with some of the minor but still important changes, which include the upgraded suspensive strap under the headband. It features various holes throughout, allowing for air flow so it can breathe. This helps to reduce any discomfort since it is on the heavier side.

The strap is physically adjustable on both sides, where it connects to the band. Allowing you to specifically set it to the size of your head. It’s a simple change, but one that can go a long way if you plan to wear them for long periods of use.

Beyond that, the company makes sure to include everything you’d need to make sure that it can connect to your various devices. You have a 3.5mm analog cable, a USB-C to USB-C cable, a USB-C to USB-A adapter cable, and the USB dongle.

The dongle features a switch that allows you to switch between PC and whatever console version you bought into. So in our case, it switches between PC and PlayStation use. Switching it over to the console option enables it to function with the proprietary wireless technology used by that console.

So that leaves us with anything else we can point out, which includes a quick focus on weight. As mentioned, this is on the heavier side. It isn’t terrible, but it does become noticeable after hours of use. If you plan to use it for an hour or two, you’ll be just fine. But beyond that, you’ll definitely want to take breaks. You can remove the magnetic covers and opt not use them at all to save a few grams, but beyond that, they do have a lot going on. This includes a robust design using plenty of aluminum, as well as those fancy planar drivers inside. So there is a little compromise there, but we have seen much worse when it comes to weight. To get an idea of things, I’d say that this headset comes incredibly close to the weight of a Meta Quest 3 VR headset.

Our Conclusion

This ended up being a powerful gaming headset. We’ve really enjoyed the company’s Mobius gaming headset, which makes for a great head-tracking option. This one doesn’t come with the head-tracking, but it does come with the sound. I’m assuming the head-tracking didn’t gain enough traction, or maybe the company plans on a new generation of that model later on. But this one lands perfectly for the needs of every other gamer out there.

The headset sounds amazing and is great when it comes to watching movies or TV. Music may or may not result in your playing with the EQ from time to time (that will depend on the user), but it does great there as well. The bass is enjoyable, and the soundstage is amazing at times.

It is littered with customization, both in the audio and microphone, and physically with the covers and the muff cushions. The overall construction is fantastic, and the connectivity is all-inclusive. All-in-all, a great gaming headset.

At the moment, you can only find these via Audeze’s website, but you’ll likely see them soon via retail options like Amazon that carry Audeze’s other products.

Video:

Unboxing

Interview

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Specifications:

Co-Authors: Jeffrey B.

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