The Audeze Maxwell 2 is accessible now and is available in two variations: the PlayStation mannequin for $329.99 and the Xbox mannequin for $349.99 (with dongle-free wi-fi) – each fashions assist PC, Mac, Switch, and cellular platforms.
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For years, I’ve been singing the praises of the unique Audeze Maxwell throughout my headset protection right here at IGN. So, once I caught wind of an up to date model on the best way with the Audeze Maxwell 2, I used to be as excited as I used to be curious – curious as to how the corporate might enhance on the already stellar sound high quality, and in addition for the way it may tackle its few shortcomings. After utilizing it as my main headset for about two weeks, I’m just a little disenchanted that it did not make any drastic modifications, however which means it is a minimum of nonetheless a implausible headset. This means it is extra correct to take a look at the Maxwell 2 as a easy refresh somewhat than a brand-new headset. If you are still going robust with the unique Maxwell or an equal high-end gaming headset, it will not be a serious bounce, however anybody out there for a brand new top-tier possibility within the vary of $300 and up, that is your new king.
Audeze didn’t stray removed from the unique design; the Maxwell 2 nonetheless rocks the heavy-set earcups that home its 90mm planar magnetic drivers, though they arrive with some minor modifications. They not swivel inward the total 90 levels to put flat and as a substitute cease at a 45-degree angle, and it’s adequate to relaxation the headset round your neck comfortably. The earcup covers can come out should you twist them, which permits for customized designs. It additionally means each the mute toggle and energy button are not on the surface of the earcups. Those at the moment are alongside the border of the correct earcup, however the mute toggle is only a tad more durable to change on and off because it’s wedged right into a dip. The left earcup has the same old suspects: quantity dial, chat/recreation combine, 3.5mm jack, USB-C port, microphone jack, and Bluetooth button.
I’m a bit shocked that the Maxwell 2 largely reused the unique headband design, the place the leatherette strap hooks into notches constructed into the body. It’s nonetheless harder to regulate the match than I’d like for the reason that holes on the strap are very inflexible – a minimum of you already know it will lock into place. The noticeable change, nonetheless, is the width of the strap itself, which now covers extra floor space atop your head. It helps alleviate stress, and it is higher for holding the headset in place while you’re shifting your head. That’s vital for a headset as heavy as this (560g, up from the unique’s 490g).
The earpads have a slimmer profile which makes the house inside in your ears noticeably bigger, and can assist them match simpler (and theoretically, assist with a extra spacious audio expertise). However, you may really feel just a little extra jostling of the headset when turning or strolling round with these (compounded by the very fact it is barely heavier) – though I can say that the brand new strap design offsets this by ensuring the headset doesn’t slide off so simply. Regardless, I wore the Maxwell 2 for classes upwards of 4 hours at a time and did not expertise a lot discomfort, if in any respect. That’s as a result of the pads are nonetheless dense and plushy, and because of the lighter-than-usual clamp pressure, there wasn’t a lot stress round my ears. They additionally restricted the sweatiness I are inclined to get from leatherette materials. And for the reason that earpads are magnetically connected, I anticipate having the ability to swap them out for aftermarket ones if you want.
While there is no such thing as a energetic noise cancelation (ANC) on this mannequin, there’s an ANC model deliberate sooner or later. Given this can be a closed-back headset, it has first rate noise isolation already. However, like the unique, the microphone has energetic noise isolation to choose up your voice extra precisely. While it isn’t an enchancment, per se, it is leagues above what different gaming headsets do with both a better noise gate or different types of AI noise isolation, primarily as a result of I did not expertise a lot clipping or digitization in my voice.
The Maxwell 2 additionally has simultaneous Bluetooth connectivity – nicely, kind of. Pairing to Bluetooth gadgets is simple and swapping to the two.4GHz USB-C dongle is as nicely, however you may’t have them energetic concurrently, which is a nice-to-have on high-end headsets. However, you may get audio by a wired USB-C connection and Bluetooth on the similar time. Of course, it’s not as handy as true simultaneous audio, however it’s a first rate possibility.
What is a notable enchancment is the software program. One of the odd issues in regards to the Maxwell was its Windows XP-era wanting software program that felt very outdated. While there is not a complete lot to customise with the Maxwell 2, the up to date app is less complicated to navigate visually, whether or not you are altering and saving EQ profiles or tweaking your microphone settings. At a time when software program suites are getting more and more bloated, I can admire how Audeze focuses on the necessities.
One of the large options of the unique Maxwell is its lengthy battery life, and I’m joyful to report the Maxwell 2 isn’t any slouch. Rated to final upward of 90 hours from a full cost, I used it as my main headset for 2 full weeks about 8 hours a day, and solely hit under 20% (in response to the app) towards the top of week two. With all that weight, I certain hope it’d have a hefty battery a minimum of, and it actually does.
It’s no shock that the Maxwell 2 sounds completely implausible, producing an identical sound profile to the unique with its 90mm planar magnetic drivers. These stay among the most refined audio drivers for gaming headsets and set the muse for its audiophile-type high quality. The Maxwell 2 is tuned barely in a different way, which was tough to note till a number of side-by-side listening exams – whereas the low-end bass is not fairly as distinguished as the unique Maxwell with the default EQ, you may merely replicate the extra booming bass by bumping up the decrease frequencies. It does spotlight the readability of the mids and highs, although, and so they come out only a tad cleaner at louder volumes.
As per common, I examined the Maxwell 2 in a collection of video games I usually play; specifically Counter-Strike 2 and Final Fantasy XIV. For the previous, positional audio is of utmost significance and the headset carried out admirably for figuring out actions like footsteps, opponents reloading, gunfire in sure instructions with nice element. And catching up on the newest raid collection in FFXIV, the busy nature of eight gamers casting spells, boss assaults going off, and the superior soundtrack blasting all on the similar time wasn’t grating in any respect. That’s anticipated of a high-end gaming headset, however I’m nonetheless impressed with how the Maxwell 2 handles all of that splendidly.
I additionally gave the headset a spin on PlayStation 5, which is acknowledged natively should you flip the dongle to PS5 mode. There aren’t many console-unique options right here, even with the Audeze model being below Sony this time round, however Tempest 3D audio and simply tuning the headset on PS5 are adequate for me. Replaying by The Last of Us Part 2 actually put the cinematic capabilities of the Maxwell 2 into perspective, with dialogue coming by sharply contrasted with the punch of gunfire – it is a theater-like expertise strapped to your head, and it surpasses even the Sony InZone H9 II that I reviewed not too long ago.
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