Audeze Maxwell 2 Review: Your Next Gaming Headset Upgrade

For those who already have the original Maxwell, you will be familiar with the design in the new Maxwell 2. Not much has changed physically from one model to the other, so you have the benefit of not being torn between two levels of comfort. The Maxwell 2 is large and heavy on the head, so you know it is a powerful unit. The clamping force is not too strong, which makes this headphone great for wearing with glasses. The earpads are comfortable and soft to the ear, and large enough to go over the ear completely for great passive isolation. They are able to be replaced so you can extend the life of your headphone easily. 

One difference from the original Maxwell to this is the option to remove the covers from the ear cups. It isn't the same as a Hifiman headphone with the magnetic veils; instead, it is a way to get some more width and space in your listening without having to change headphones completely. The Maxwell 2 doesn't turn into a complete open-back headphone, but you do get a semi-open response that allows sound to expands a little bit more horizontally for an immersive experience. 

Using the Maxwell 2 is simple and intuitive. The many buttons on the sides may seem intimidating, but they are clearly labeled so you know exactly where to go for each function. Volume, ANC, power, and microphone function is all pictured for easy usability.

The Maxwell 2 comes in two variations so you can easily integrate it into any setup. You have the PlayStation version (which is what I used for my testing), and the Xbox version. In the first version of the Maxwell, only the PlayStation version was the only one that worked with PC and Mac. Now, on this updated version, both the Xbox and PlayStation versions have IOS and Android compatibility for phones and desktop. With this update, you can easily integrate the Maxwell 2 into your gaming system and just as easily connect it to your personal devices without issue. I found it easy to connect with my phone just as much as my desktop computer, seamlessly switches between devices for easy use. 

You have different options when it comes to connecting the Maxwell 2 to your gaming system. You can connect via Bluetooth, either directly or with the included USB-C dongle.The Maxwell 2 has an impressive 80 hours of battery life, so you can ensure smooth gameplay without interruption for charging. You can also listen with a wire, either digitally with the USB-C cable or analog with the 3.5mm cable. Make a note: you will have to turn on the headphone for any type of wired listening, as passive listening is not a feature included. 

A new Audeze companion app launches with the release of the Maxwell 2. In this app, you can customize the sound to be more tuned to your ear and your preferred sound profile. You have some preset filters to choose from, but you can also make filters of your own to save for later use when you want to use them again. I liked the sliding scales of this adjustable EQ, so it was easy to tune the sound exactly how I liked without issue. 

A prominent feature that we did not mention in the above section is the microphone. The Maxwell 2 is a gaming headphone above all else, so the ability to optimize online gaming chat rooms is becoming a need more than a want in most setups. Audeze impresses with the detachable microphone option, with an included pop filter to make sure you are heard clearly and smoothly. 

The Maxwell 2 has a dial on the left ear cup that has a picture of a game controller and a headset with a microphone. What does this dial control, you ask? This control is for balancing your microphone sound in your headphones versus the game you are playing. This simple mixing is great for when you want to tune into what others are saying more closely than the game, or if you want to tune out the conversation and focus on the game itself. You can also use the switch on the right ear cup to mute the microphone or turn it on so you can more easily decide if you want to speak during the game or not. 

SOUNDSTAGE & IMAGING

Now the real test: sound quality. The Maxwell 2 impresses with a fairly wide and immersive sound profile. For a closed-back headphone, the soundstage is fairly wide with accurate imaging. This is extra helpful for gameplay when you need to rely on the placement of sounds in an environment. The closed-back design allows you to block out any outside noise and really become more immersed in your listening. The frequency ranges expand backwards and create a good sense of depth, which adds to the immersive nature of the headphone. When you lifted the magnetic shields, you get a bit more horizontal width that puts you more in the center of your tracks. 

Overall, the sound signature of the Maxwell 2 is balanced and fairly neutral. The low end and the high end are very evenly matched, which is great for finding a well-rounded signature. I liked how the instruments and other sonic elements didn't shy away from texture of detail, keeping honest to their timbres and finding space for them all to live. I could see people looking for the bass in a first impression, but as you listen you find it comes out in a subtler way to not overpower the entire signature. 

Keep in mind: because the Maxwell 2 can be listened to in so many different configurations, this is an overall picture of how they sound. The qualities of each range is found on each of the listening modes, which special elements highlighted if that listening mode brings out more. 

BASS FREQUENCIES

As mentioned above, the bass in the Maxwell 2 is found to be a little lacking upon a first impressions. I was immediately hit with a lot of treble, and the bass was noticeably missing. After taking some time with the headphone, I found the bass wasn't completely gone; instead, it came out in other ways. The bass served as a subtle foundation for frequencies to build up from, coming forward as more of a humming warmth as opposed to something punchy and direct. The Audeze app was helpful in boosting the bass response, so you could get a punchier response from it if you so desired. I liked the rumble from the low end and how elements maintained detail above all else, and it didn't get into a muddy or washed out zone from being too far recessed. 

MIDRANGE FREQUENCIES

The midrange has exceptional detail.  For a gaming headphone, this is especially important since most game sounds will happen in this range. Dialogue, special effects, and overall soundtrack takes place mostly in the midrange. The Maxwell 2 did a good job in keeping up with all these elements and having them work in harmony together. I got to appreciate the realism of instruments and special effects, and they were placed in front of me with precision. Even in tracks and soundtracks where the midrange sounded overcrowded, the layers that were presented to make sure of the wide soundstage was great for allowing you to listen for longer. With the magnetics sides off, you didn't get much change in this, but instead the Maxwell 2 got a little bit lighter as opposed to feeling heavier. 

TREBLE FREQUENCIES

The Maxwell 2's treble response is clean and clinical. In the face of all the heaviness that can come with a closed-back, noise-cancelling headphone, it is nice to hear a high end that is bright and brings everything up a step. The top end rounds out the signature and matches the presentation of the bass, where it is sharp and detailed but not pulling to the front. Instead, it takes a step backwards to let the midrange detail come through first and focuses on bringing a sense of space to the Maxwell 2. Getting good presentation is important in a gaming headset, and the treble response opens up the soundstage to let frequencies ring out naturally and add to the immersive quality people seek in a gaming headphone. 

Between the Maxwell and the Maxwell 2, there isn't much that changes sonically between them. The balanced sound, natural reproduction, and immersive elements all carry over from one Maxwell to the other. Since the Maxwell 2is set to replace the original Maxwell, its nice to see that there aren't that much sound differences that you may have to sacrifice. If anything, you get a little less bass response in the new model and increased clarity for better balance. Both of these elements are welcome changes in my mind, as the real changes come with the more technical aspects. 

The Maxwell 2's main upgrades come in compatibility and the new companion app. You can customize the sound better than you could with the original Maxwell, where you would have to download a 3rd party software to do some heavy adjusting. I liked how the Audeze app allowed for easy customization, and you could even cycle through these with the controls on the left earcup. 

The Audeze Maxwell 2 proves to be a leader in the world of gaming headphones. From the original Maxwell, it keeps the same design people know and the overall same sound signature, save for some small tweaks to keep you listening for longer. The sound is balanced and natural, putting all your special effects into this world you step into once you put the headphones on. If you are a fan of bass, you may want to do some adjusting, but the overall balanced sound signature is sure to highlight all the details you want to hear in your game or just your regular music. 

You can get the Audeze Maxwell 2 at Audio46.