Imtjnotu
Member
get the wicked cushions headstrap. weight issue goes away
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Audeze announces maxwell 2 gaming headset.
- Thread starter iamvin22
- Start date
ValiantInstance
Member
I have the original Maxwells, absolutely brilliant headset. No need to upgrade quite yet but will probably get these in a couple of years.
hououinkyouma00
Member
I'm sure they sound absolutely amazing, but I just can't deal with the weight.
I generally don't like over ear headphones because they hurt my head after a while so I use earbuds (Pulse Explore which I know aren't the best, but they work with everything (PS5, PC, Portal) and have simultaneous Bluetooth. They felt terrible until I changed out the tips but now, I actually find them quite comfy). I do own the Pulse Elite as well (same reasons as the Explore) but I use speakers or the earbuds more often.
I know they aren't the best, but they sound good enough to me, and I got them for a combined $200. Looking at Rtings the Maxwells are 0.32lbs heavers with 0.27lbs more clamping force then the Elites which sounds like a headache to me. Happy for everything that likes them though.
I generally don't like over ear headphones because they hurt my head after a while so I use earbuds (Pulse Explore which I know aren't the best, but they work with everything (PS5, PC, Portal) and have simultaneous Bluetooth. They felt terrible until I changed out the tips but now, I actually find them quite comfy). I do own the Pulse Elite as well (same reasons as the Explore) but I use speakers or the earbuds more often.
I know they aren't the best, but they sound good enough to me, and I got them for a combined $200. Looking at Rtings the Maxwells are 0.32lbs heavers with 0.27lbs more clamping force then the Elites which sounds like a headache to me. Happy for everything that likes them though.
OLED_Gamer
Member
How are the Pulse Explore headphones? I'm looking at them for my Pro and PC as I hate over the ear headsets. Any lag? Standard Bluetooth connection to PC?
Mr. PlayStation
Member
I'm still rocking Steel Series Arctis 7p that I got from Germany in 2021. Still works great, albeit with slightly reduced battery life.
Stafford
Member
bass light on the Maxwell's?!
I agree with him. I had those a few years ago as well and bass wise I expected more. When it comes to games but also some music I am a bass head, these weren't doing it for me.
hououinkyouma00
Member
I like them but I know a lot of people don't. They had a lot of connection issues at launch but as far as I can tell those have all been resolved. I don't have any connection issues at all. I use the included PS Link dongle on both PS and PC. I use the simultaneous Bluetooth a lot to listen to music or podcasts while I play games and it's great.
100% replace the ear tips with some aftermarket ones. Stock ear tips are complete trash.
I wouldn't pay the normal $200 for them. You can get them really cheap on eBay (like $90-110 cheap which is how I got them and the Pulse Elite and both were essentially brand new). If you don't need the simultaneous Bluetooth or Link connection for something like the Portal look at the Steelseries Arctis Gamebuds. They are comfortable and work on everything (Xbox branded version works on all platforms including PS but the PS only works on everything but Xbox). They also have transparency mode and ANC thought both modes are mediocre in comparison to something like AirPods or Sony XM.
kutthoat5150
Member
How do these compare to the arctis nova pro? I really like the steelseries dual connection you have with BT if you want to sync your phone on the side along with the swappable batteries. The elites are way too much for what they offer so trying to see if there's an upgrade worthy yet.
Diseased Yak
Gold Member
Definitely let us know what you think. I'm probably gonna order these, I can't resist.
cinnamonandgravy
Member
man headphones are fun; reminds me i need to buy a new pair
last pair i got were the grado gs3000, but turns out grado customer service sucks
first pair arrived damaged (something was loose inside one the enclosures and that side wouldnt produce sound)
replacement pair's condition was great, but the wood had basically none of that sexy marbling (natural variance of wood of course, but cmon, for $2000 it should at least resemble the picture).
i asked for a replacement pair and they said no, and if i didnt want them id have to pay a restocking fee too.
sent them back.
probably going to try planar next.
Gaiff
SBI’s Resident Gaslighter
One thing I'd like to clarify, the weight is absolutely no problem. I was reading online how people find the Maxwell 1 too heavy and that it made their necks and shoulders uncomfortable after long gaming sessions. I haven't had such problems.
Then again, most gamers are wimps with pencil necks who have never lifted a weight in their lives. On the other hand, my muscular neck would make Broly envious.
Then again, most gamers are wimps with pencil necks who have never lifted a weight in their lives. On the other hand, my muscular neck would make Broly envious.
hououinkyouma00
Member
Fat and muscle are different things
S0ULZB0URNE
Member
I hope not.This is definitely what we all look like wearing one of these, right..?
Big fan of the original Maxwell and it's 90m planar magnetic drivers.
Gaiff
SBI’s Resident Gaslighter
Then time for you to hit the gym, brah.
Gaiff
SBI’s Resident Gaslighter
Been trying them since yesterday and played some games on it and I'll be honest, I can scarcely tell the difference between them and my old Razer Man 'O'War. I was hearing how high-quality and incredible they are, but at the same time, I always believed audiophiles are a bunch of liars.
Any game you guys recommend me to test so I can truly see a difference? So far, the main thing separating them is the build quality and comfort. The Audeze simply feel more premium without cheap plastic holding them together, but sound quality is identical and the Man O War are significantly louder at the same volume level.
Any game you guys recommend me to test so I can truly see a difference? So far, the main thing separating them is the build quality and comfort. The Audeze simply feel more premium without cheap plastic holding them together, but sound quality is identical and the Man O War are significantly louder at the same volume level.
iHaunter
Member
For those unaware. These are realllllly fucking heavy. Crazy ass heavy for a headset. For those in the market for a wireless headset with decent sound quality. The Fractal Scape is really good and has magnetic wireless charging. I had the Arctic Pro Wireless, and the sound quality of the Fractal is significantly better.
Aaron Olive
Member
Surprisingly the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless works on PS5 using the DualSense Edge Fn button Volume / Chat mix feature plus audio Focus.
I had bought the INZONE H9 from BestBuy in December 2023
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Oblivion78
Member
Saw reviews on this and the mic quality is apparently pretty bad. Sticking with my Astro A50 Gen 5 for now.
Dirk Benedict
Member
560 grams, what the spec sheet says. They look heavier than that, though. 560g seems too low.
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Brutal Deluxe
Member
I had the Nova Pro's when they 1st came out but the launch units had that stupid noise cancelling nub that pressed into my ear so couldn't wear them. I'll check out the Edge functionality that sounds useful.Surprisingly the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless works on PS5 using the DualSense Edge Fn button Volume / Chat mix feature plus audio Focus.
I had bought the INZONE H9 from BestBuy in December 2023and purchased the warranty for it but the headband kept disintegrating and the PS5 OS chat mix feature and audio focus didn't work so in September 2025 I swapped those with my warranty for the SteelSeries with no issues so far.
I ordered the Nova Elites (yes they are too expensive and yes I'm an idiot) and Maxwell 2's at the same time. Elites arrived next day but Maxwell god knows how long delay. I've found the Elite's so good and combined with the mixed comments on the Maxwell 2's I've actually cancelled the Maxwell order. The Elite's are great.
Aaron Olive
Member
I agree the Elites are very nice for those that can afford them especially the jade and gold but I'll hold off for a sale / MFR revisions. I'm glad I have the revised model with the smaller ANC nub for the Pro's.
Congrats.
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Brutal Deluxe
Member
Reading my post back I didn't come across quite as I planned. I was always going to choose and send back the set I liked least. Elite's ordered thanks to Amazon's interest free split payments.I agree the Elites are very nice for those that can afford them especially the jade and gold but I'll hold off for a sale / MFR revisions. I'm glad I have the revised model with the smaller ANC nub for the Pro's.
Congrats.
Anyone here with the Maxwell 2 able to comment on the directional audio? It was a weak point of the 1's