Audeze Maxwell 2 gaming headset review

My listening impressions

I've been testing the Maxwell 2 for over a week, both during my nightly gaming sessions and listening to music via Bluetooth as I work during the day. I tested the PS5 version, but playing on other platforms should be comparable. Just keep in mind that there may be some small differences.

The Maxwell 2 comes in two flavors: a PlayStation version and an Xbox version. The wireless transmitter included with each headset is made to work with its respective console, but both will work with Switch 1 and 2, PC, and Mac.

90mm planar magnetic drivers help the Maxwell 2 deliver even, controlled sound with textured dynamics and directionality.

Swords and shamisen strings

The first game on the docket was Ghost of Yotei, which takes place in the tumultuous aftermath of Japan's warring states period. The Maxwell 2 did a great job capturing the dynamic range of this game's sound design. The soundscape was rich and detailed, just like the original Maxwells, but I felt the bass response hit even lower and harder. The satisfying crack of my musket and the clang of steel during a well-timed parry were both deep and satisfying.

The world especially came alive in quiet moments of exploration, like the soft rustling of wind through the trees or the scrape of my fingers clinging to rock as I climbed up a cliff. As my horse galloped across the landscape, the sound of its hooves clearly shifted with the terrain: a wet plop on muddy grass, a granular scrape on loose gravel paths, and a clear echoing clip-clop as I crossed a wooden bridge. When I rested at camp, I would play my shamisen, a traditional three-stringed Japanese instrument. Its subtle twang and thrum felt particularly rich and provided a relaxing break from the action.

Late in my test, I was struck by the booming and crackling of fireworks in the distance as I snuck my way through an enemy castle during a celebration. I could consistently place the position of the fireworks above me, shifting as I turned this way or that, and getting closer as I neared the coming showdown. This kind of immersive experience is exactly what a high-performance headset like the Maxwell 2 is all about.

An army of one

My next stop was Dynasty Warriors: Origins. This series is notorious for having hundreds of opponents on-screen at a time. I doubled down on the chaos and dived right in, blazing progress through the battlefield driven by the soundtrack's frenetic guitar riffs. The Maxwell 2 did an admirable job selling the sheer spectacle of these huge battles. It also provided clear separation and detail, ensuring I was able to easily keep track of nearby threats and catch important snippets of dialogue from my allies about where to take the fight next.

The Maxwell 2s new "SLAM" system helps this headset deliver even harder bass than its predecessor.

One of the coolest experiences I had with these headphones was laying siege to a bandit outpost while caught up in a heavy downpour. It would've been easy for the rain to either fade into the background or quite literally drown out the other sounds, but neither was the case. In the mix of clashing spears, swords, and battle cries, I could still pick out the individual splats of my feet running through mud. And the heavy slam of my charge attacks rose above the clamor with a thoom as dozens of bandits were sent flying at once.

Dreaming of “Mercy Street”

Because I listen to tunes pretty much all throughout my workday, I got a good handle on the way the Maxwell 2s sound when playing music over Bluetooth. I found myself lingering on the 25th Anniversary version of Peter Gabriel's classic album So. The Maxwell 2s rocked the brassy entrance and funky beat of “Sledgehammer,” but also brought the quiet, somber sounds of “We Do What We're Told” to life just as well.

For most of a day I let “Mercy Street” play on repeat while I typed away. The song is layered with intimate little details can really breathe with a pair of headphones like these Audezes. The chime of the triangle keeping the song's rhythm paired perfectly with subtle, layered hand percussion. I found it even easier than usual to lose myself in Gabriel's heartfelt, melancholic vocals.

Fit, feel, and more

These headphones are little heavier than the originals, but I found the difference was somewhat negligible. This may be in part due to the wider headband, which disperses some of that pressure. I wore these for hours at a time and didn't feel much in the way of fatigue, but, of course, your mileage and preference may vary.

The detachable boom mic is flexible and easy to adjust — plus it rejects noise to keep your game chat free of distractions.

There's no built-in noise cancellation, but I found the passive noise isolation provided by the earcups' seal to be more than sufficient. It was hard to hear my wife sitting not two feet from me during one of my nightly tests. I already had the Audeze HQ app on my phone, though I didn't need to use it much. I dialed in my sidetone settings, but otherwise found all the controls I needed on the headphones themselves.

One of the features I appreciate most about the Maxwell 2s (just like the originals) is the incredibly long battery life. I still haven't bothered to charge the sample I've been playing around with for over a week. You would have to practically live with these ‘phones on your head 24/7 to find yourself charging them with any regularity.

Details

• professional gaming headset with ultra-low-latency USB-C wireless transmitter
• built-in Bluetooth® 5.3 for wireless music listening and phone calls
• over-ear, closed-back design with secure fit and comfortable seal
• reinforced dual-chamber earcups provide excellent noise isolation and extended bass response
• 90mm planar magnetic drivers offer even, controlled sound with textured dynamics and directionality
• patent-pending SLAM™ air distribution system enhances low frequency punch
• detachable hypercardioid boom microphone and onboard array of four beamforming mics
• rugged chassis with spring-steel headband and cast aluminum yokes
• easy-to-use controls built into the headset
• fine tune EQ and mic settings with Audeze HQ PC and mobile app
• supports 24-bit/96kHz high-res playback
• frequency response: 10-50,000 Hz
• earcups do not rotate
• battery life: 80 hours
• warranty: 1 year

Questions? Contact us!

Still have a few lingering questions about the Audeze Maxwell 2s? Or wanna know how they stack up to our other gaming headsets? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our friendly Advisors. They'll make sure to point you in the right direction.

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