Audeze Maxwell 2 Review 2026: Is It Worth Buying?
If you have been searching for the best wireless gaming headset in 2026, you have probably heard the name Audeze Maxwell 2 more than once. And honestly? There is a very good reason for that.
Audeze dropped this headset at CES 2026 and sent the gaming audio world into a frenzy. Big drivers. Massive battery. Audiophile sound. But does it actually live up to the hype?
We put the Audeze Maxwell 2 through its paces across weeks of real world gaming, music listening, and daily use. Whether you game on PS5, Xbox, or PC, this review will tell you everything you need to know before spending $329 or more on a headset.
Key Takeaways:
- Outstanding Sound Quality: The 90mm planar magnetic drivers deliver an audiophile level listening experience that goes far beyond what standard dynamic driver headsets can offer. The sound is rich, detailed, and balanced right out of the box.
- Massive Battery Life: Audeze rates the Maxwell 2 at 80 to 90+ hours of battery life on a single charge. That is more than most gamers will ever need in a week of sessions.
- Redesigned Comfort Features: The new wider ventilated headband and magnetic earpad system directly fix the biggest comfort complaints from the original Maxwell. Long sessions are far more pleasant now.
- AI Powered Microphone: The updated boom microphone now runs at 48kHz bandwidth with real time AI noise removal. Your voice comes through clearly even in loud environments.
- Comprehensive Connectivity: The Maxwell 2 supports USB-C wireless dongle, Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC and LE Audio, wired USB-C, and 3.5mm connections across all major platforms.
- Notable Limitations: The headset weighs 560g, which is heavier than the original. It also lacks simultaneous Bluetooth and dongle audio, and there is no active noise cancellation on this version. These are real trade-offs to consider before buying.
What Is the Audeze Maxwell 2?
The Audeze Maxwell 2 is a premium wireless gaming headset launched on January 5, 2026. It comes in two versions. The PlayStation version costs $329 and the Xbox version costs $349. Both versions work with PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS.
Audeze is a company known for making audiophile grade planar magnetic headphones. The Maxwell line brings that same driver technology into the gaming world. The Maxwell 2 is the direct successor to the original Maxwell, which launched in 2022 and quickly became one of the most praised gaming headsets ever made.
This new version keeps everything that made the original great and adds several improvements. The upgraded drivers, the new app, the redesigned headband, and the AI microphone all point to a headset that Audeze clearly built with feedback from real users.
The result is a headset that sounds like something you would use in a recording studio, while still being fully tuned for gaming.
Design and Build Quality
The Audeze Maxwell 2 looks serious from the moment you take it out of the box. The large earcups house 90mm planar magnetic drivers, and the entire build communicates that this is a premium product. The headset is available in dark gray and uses a mix of metal and high quality plastic throughout its construction.
The earcup design sees a few updates over the original. The cups no longer swivel a full 90 degrees inward. They now stop at a 45 degree angle, which is still enough to rest the headset around your neck comfortably. The earcup covers can be removed with a twist, which opens the door for custom designs and easy maintenance.
The control layout has shifted slightly. The mute toggle and power button moved from the outside of the earcup to the border of the right earcup.
The left earcup still holds the volume dial, chat and game audio mix wheel, 3.5mm jack, USB-C port, microphone jack, and Bluetooth button. This layout is familiar and practical for most users.
The build feels solid throughout. The headset is clearly made to last, and Audeze has a reputation for producing hardware that holds up over years of use.
Comfort and Fit
This is where the Audeze Maxwell 2 makes its biggest strides over the original. The original Maxwell headband was widely criticized for distributing its 490g weight poorly. Many users found it uncomfortable after just 30 minutes of wear. Audeze listened.
The Maxwell 2 gets a wider, ventilated suspension strap that covers more surface area across the top of your head. This significantly reduces the pressure any single point feels over long sessions. The magnetic earpad attachment system also makes swapping pads fast and easy, which is great for users who want aftermarket options.
The earpads now have a slimmer profile, creating more internal space for your ears. The pads are dense and plush, and the clamp force is light. This reduces ear fatigue and cuts down on the sweating that often comes with leatherette materials. During testing, wearing the Maxwell 2 for sessions of four hours or more was very manageable.
That said, the Maxwell 2 weighs 560g, which is actually more than the original 490g. That is heavier than nearly every competitor at this price point. The new headband absolutely helps, but users with sensitive heads or neck issues should try before they buy.
Top 3 Alternatives for Audeze Maxwell 2
Sound Quality
This is where the Audeze Maxwell 2 truly separates itself from the competition. The 90mm planar magnetic drivers produce sound that no dynamic driver headset at this price can match. The frequency response runs from 10Hz all the way to 50kHz, giving you an incredibly wide audio range.
The Maxwell 2 is tuned slightly differently from the original. The bass is a touch more controlled in the default EQ setting.
Some users who preferred the heavier bass of the original may want to bump up the lower frequencies in the app. However, the mids and highs benefit from this tuning and come out cleaner, especially at higher volumes.
The soundstage is wide and detailed. In competitive shooters, footsteps and directional audio are precise and easy to track.
In cinematic story games, dialogue and environmental audio combine into an experience that feels more like a theater than a gaming session. The Maxwell 2 also performs beautifully with music, making it one of the few gaming headsets you would genuinely enjoy for everyday listening.
The maximum SPL exceeds 115dB, meaning this headset gets loud enough for any preference without distortion creeping in.
Microphone Performance
The Audeze Maxwell 2 includes an AI powered boom microphone that runs at 48kHz bandwidth. This is double the bandwidth of the original Maxwell microphone. The AI noise removal works in real time to eliminate background sounds from your voice pickup.
The microphone performs at a level well above most gaming headsets. Reviewers at Tom’s Guide noted it sounds good enough for streaming, though it still falls short of a dedicated USB microphone. The key strength is in how natural voices sound. There is very little clipping or digital distortion, even during loud or energetic conversations.
The internal microphone from the original Maxwell is gone on this version. All voice capture now goes through the boom mic. This is a trade-off that most users will not notice during normal use, but it is worth knowing before you buy.
If you are a streamer or content creator who wants a single setup that handles both gaming and voice capture, the Maxwell 2 microphone is more than capable of serving both roles.
Battery Life and Charging
One of the most impressive specs on the Audeze Maxwell 2 is its battery life, rated at 80 to 90+ hours on a full charge. In real world testing from IGN, the headset was used as a primary headset for two full weeks at around 8 hours per day. Battery dropped below 20% only toward the end of week two. That is extraordinary longevity.
Charging is handled via USB-C, and the headset supports fast charging for quick top-ups when you need them. The large earcups that house those massive drivers also happen to create plenty of space for a large internal battery, which explains how Audeze achieves this kind of runtime.
For comparison, many popular gaming headsets offer 20 to 40 hours of battery life. The Maxwell 2 nearly doubles or triples that figure. If you have ever had a headset die in the middle of a long session, this kind of battery capacity is a genuine quality of life improvement.
Connectivity Options
The Audeze Maxwell 2 covers all the connectivity bases you could want. The USB-C wireless dongle delivers ultra low latency audio at up to 24 bit / 96kHz. This is the primary connection for gaming use and performs flawlessly across PC, PlayStation, Mac, and Switch.
Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC and LE Audio support adds wireless convenience for mobile devices and TV use. Auracast support also opens the door for group listening scenarios. The 3.5mm analog input provides a wired fallback for any device.
The one notable gap is the lack of simultaneous Bluetooth and dongle audio. You cannot mix Discord from your phone with game audio from your console at the same time.
Competitors like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless and Razer BlackShark V3 Pro do offer this feature. You can switch between sources, but you cannot use both at once. This is a real omission at the $329+ price point.
USB-C wired connection does work simultaneously with Bluetooth, which softens this limitation somewhat.
Software and App Experience
The original Audeze Maxwell shipped with software that looked like it belonged in the early 2000s. The Maxwell 2 fixes this with a completely redesigned Audeze app. The new app is available on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, making it far more accessible than the desktop only original.
The interface is clean and easy to use. You can create and save custom EQ profiles, adjust microphone settings, manage spatial audio, and update firmware all from one place. The app does not overload you with unnecessary features. Audeze focused on the tools gamers actually use.
One notable benefit is that original Maxwell owners also get the new app update, meaning existing users are not left behind. The EQ presets are well designed and offer meaningful tuning options without requiring audio engineering knowledge. The app also shows battery levels clearly so you always know where you stand.
Gaming Performance
The Audeze Maxwell 2 handles gaming scenarios with confidence. Positional audio in competitive shooters is one of its strongest areas. In games like Counter-Strike 2, footsteps, reloads, and gunfire direction all come through with sharp detail and accuracy. This gives players a real competitive edge in tracking enemy movement.
In story driven games, the Maxwell 2 turns into a cinematic powerhouse. Games like The Last of Us Part 2 on PS5 sound exceptional through this headset.
Dialogue is sharp and clear, environmental sounds are layered with depth, and the impact of gunfire hits hard. The Tempest 3D audio on PS5 works natively with the Maxwell 2 through the dongle in PS5 mode.
The headset also handles musically rich games like Final Fantasy XIV beautifully. Dense orchestral soundtracks with multiple layers of sound play back without any muddiness or fatigue. The wide frequency range and planar drivers let you hear detail in game music that you likely have never noticed before on a gaming headset.
Audeze Maxwell 2 vs the Original Maxwell
If you already own the original Maxwell, the question is whether the Maxwell 2 is worth upgrading to. The honest answer is: it depends on your pain points. The sound quality is similar enough that most users will not notice a dramatic difference in a blind test.
The biggest improvements are in comfort, the microphone, the app, and the Bluetooth specification. If you struggled with the original headband or felt the app was outdated, the Maxwell 2 addresses both of those issues directly. If you were perfectly happy with the original Maxwell, the upgrade is harder to justify at $329.
For new buyers, the Maxwell 2 is clearly the better choice over the original. It improves on nearly every aspect of the first generation, and the price difference is not enormous when you consider the build quality and audio performance you are getting.
Is the Audeze Maxwell 2 Worth the Price?
At $329 for the PlayStation version and $349 for Xbox, the Audeze Maxwell 2 is one of the most expensive gaming headsets on the market. The question of value depends entirely on what you prioritize.
If you want the best possible audio quality from a gaming headset, there is nothing better at this price. The planar magnetic drivers deliver a listening experience that simply cannot be matched by traditional dynamic driver headsets. The battery life, connectivity options, and microphone performance are all class leading.
However, if features like ANC, simultaneous dual audio, or lightweight design matter most to you, competitors like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless or Razer BlackShark V2 Pro may serve you better.
For audiophile gamers, streamers, and anyone who spends long hours gaming and wants the best possible sound, the Maxwell 2 absolutely justifies its price. IGN named it the best high end wireless gaming headset of 2026, and it is hard to argue with that verdict.
Pros and Cons of the Audeze Maxwell 2
Pros:
- Exceptional planar magnetic sound quality with 90mm drivers
- 80 to 90+ hour battery life for extended use
- Redesigned headband and magnetic earpads improve comfort
- AI powered microphone at 48kHz with real time noise removal
- New clean app for iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac
- Broad platform support: PS5, Xbox, PC, Mac, Switch, mobile
Cons:
- Weighs 560g, heavier than most competitors
- No active noise cancellation on this version
- No simultaneous Bluetooth and dongle audio
- Price of $329 to $349 is high for budget conscious buyers
- Internal microphone from original is removed
Frequently Asked Questions
What platforms does the Audeze Maxwell 2 support?
The Maxwell 2 supports PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox, PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS. The PlayStation version costs $329 and the Xbox version costs $349, but both work across all listed platforms.
Does the Audeze Maxwell 2 have active noise cancellation?
No, the Maxwell 2 does not have active noise cancellation. Audeze has stated that an ANC version is planned for the future. The closed back design does provide passive noise isolation, but it is not ANC.
How long does the Audeze Maxwell 2 battery last?
Audeze rates the battery at 80 to 90+ hours per full charge. Real world testing confirmed this, with the headset lasting nearly two full weeks at 8 hours of daily use before dropping below 20 percent.
Is the Audeze Maxwell 2 worth buying over the original Maxwell?
For new buyers, yes. The Maxwell 2 improves comfort, the microphone, the app experience, and Bluetooth quality. For existing original Maxwell owners who are happy with their headset, the upgrade is less urgent unless comfort was a major issue.
Can you use Bluetooth and the USB-C dongle at the same time?
No, the Maxwell 2 does not support simultaneous Bluetooth and dongle audio. You can switch between the two sources, and you can use wired USB-C with Bluetooth at the same time, but the two wireless modes cannot run together simultaneously.
What is the weight of the Audeze Maxwell 2?
The Maxwell 2 weighs approximately 560g. This is heavier than the original Maxwell at 490g and heavier than most competitor headsets. The redesigned headband helps distribute this weight better, but it is still a heavy headset by gaming standards.
Does the Audeze Maxwell 2 work with PS5 natively?
Yes. When the USB-C dongle is switched to PS5 mode, the Maxwell 2 is recognized natively by the PS5. This enables Tempest 3D audio support and easy in console audio tuning without additional steps.
