Audeze clearly knows what it's doing with planar headsets, and I used the MM-500 as my daily driver for the better part of a year. With the Maxwell 2, Audeze is doubling down on the gaming side of things, and although the headset doesn't look radically different to its predecessor, there are a few new features.
Gaming headsets in general are interesting, because you can use any regular headset to do so, and the only differentiator I see with gaming-focused products like the Corsair Virtuoso Max is virtualized surround sound and easier connectivity. The Maxwell 2 comes with Bluetooth 5.3 and 2.4GHz connectivity, and you can plug it in as well — either via USB-C or traditional 3.5mm. Seeing as how it isn't different to its predecessor, Audeze is selling the Maxwell 2 at the same $329 price point. That's still a lot for gaming headset, but you are getting sound quality that's on another level entirely.
This being Audeze, you get an exhaustive set of features over Bluetooth: the Maxwell 2 uses Bluetooth LE audio and gets the new LC3 and LC3 plus codecs, Auracast, LDAC, and the usual AAC and SBC. It connects to two devices at once, and the versatility with USB-C and 3.5mm means you can use it with just about any device. Most of the time, I used the headset with my Find X9 Pro and iPad Pro M4.
Like other Audeze headsets, the Maxwell 2 is built like a tank; it doesn't have much design flair, but the build quality is better than every other gaming headset around. It has a steel headband with ventilated leather cushioning this time, and the plastic ear cups include a magnetically-detachable design that allows you to switch out the faceplates with ease. You don't get any styling options right now, but Audeze says it will start selling custom 3D-printed designs shortly.
The ear cushions have exquisite padding, and they don't get hot even with extended use. I have two issues with the design: the weight, and adjustability. The Maxwell 2 is the heaviest gaming headset by a large margin, coming in at 560g. You're giving your neck a workout with this headset, and Audeze has always been clear that its headsets tend to be on the heavier side. By contrast, Corsair's Virtuoso Max is relatively light at 412g.
The headset has limited height adjustability, and it's a hassle to tweak it. The ear pads tilt and swivel to an extent, but they don't fold down flat. Although the headband distributes the considerable weight evenly, there's no getting around the fact that this is a heavy headset.
Audeze put a lot of controls on the left side of the Maxwell 2; you get two volume control knobs, USB-C and 3.5mm ports, and mic in. The right side has the power button and a physical mute toggle. One upside is that the Maxwell 2 has incredible battery life; the headset has a 1,800mAh battery, and you get close to 80 hours of battery before you need to charge the headset, and that's more than any other gaming headset I used.
The Maxwell 2 has a characteristic Audeze signature, and it's immediately evident the brand put its custom 90mm planar drivers to good use once again. You get fast transients that provide a level of immediacy that you just don't see in regular headsets, and this makes a huge difference while gaming. Bass is clean and energetic, and you get a decent rumble that lends itself well to games.
The mid-range is neutral and shines through clearly, ensuring any dialogue is detailed, and you get good treble extension. The biggest reason to buy this headset is the sound quality, and you're getting tonality and soundstage that you just don't see in other gaming headsets — or any mid-range headset under $500.
You get plenty of customizability when it comes to the sound as well, with Audeze including a standard 10-band EQ along with custom presets. It's straightforward to change profiles or tweak the EQ via the Audeze mobile app that's available on Android and iOS, and you can also change the rest of the headset's settings.
While the audio quality is the best of any gaming headset, the Maxwell 2 doesn't have a good mic; it is decent and uses Audeze's Filter AI utility to tune out ambient sounds, but the mic itself is not as good as other gaming headsets. That's annoying to say the least, as this was an issue on the previous Maxwell as well. It is still usable while gaming, but this isn't a broadcast mic.
If you want a lighter gaming headset with a better mic, Sony's INZONE H9 II would be a better choice. It costs the same at $328, and while it doesn't quite have the same sound quality, it uses the same drivers as the WH-1000XM6, and you get similar connectivity as the Maxwell 2, with the headset weighing just 273g.
On the whole, Audeze's Maxwell 2 is aimed at gamers looking to get the best sound quality. If that's your only consideration, then there really isn't anything better in this category. However, the weight and the quality of the mic are clear downsides, and it is quite costly at $329.
If you need a gaming headset with extensive connectivity options and incredible sound quality, there really isn't anything better than the Maxwell 2. It may not be a huge upgrade from its predecessor, but Audeze continues to hold a distinct advantage in this category.
