So im a little conflicted about the reviews on these products.

Some say 2 is better

Some say 1 is better

I dont want to regret my purchase ...

Wich one can you guys recommend the most.

Hi guys,

I’ve owned the Audeze Maxwell for about 2 years and never had any issues before, but I recently started playing Battlefield 6 on PS5 and noticed something strange.

When the action gets intense (lots of explosions, gunfire, etc.) the sound becomes heavily distorted, almost like it’s cutting out every millisecond.

I have the dongle connected to the PS5 using the original USB-C adapter.

Is there anything I can do to fix this? I tried other headphones and they work fine, so it seems to be specific to the Maxwells.

Thanks in advance!

I been using my Maxwell 2 for a few weeks and its been working fine with no audio issue except for the constant intermittent disconnection. Looked up online and people say that using the USB-A port adapter for the dongle fixes this issue. Tried it myself and while I no longer have disconnection issue I feel like it shouldn't be a problem in the first place.

Does anyone have a fix without using the adapter? I feel like I have a defect. It would disconnect and reconnect every 30 minutes to an hour without the adapter. It's almost perfect but bothers me that I have to use something that should be an option

Hey everyone,
I wanted to share my experience and journey with the Audeze Maxwell up until today. Maybe it helps someone out, maybe nobody reads it. Who knows?
Ok, let’s go (this text was translated with the help of an AI because my English isn't quite good enough). Thank you for your time, and I hope you get some value out of this.
The Beginning / How I Ended Up Buying It
I used the ASTRO A50 Gen 4 for a very long time, but it was finally time for something new. The battery, the software, and the micro-USB were really starting to annoy me. Perfect timing—the A50X came out. I was hyped. Then came the flashbacks of "HDMI 2.1 or nothing" and dealing with the trash cables from the Gen 4 that went out of style. I noped out of that real quick.
To cut a long story short: A50X is cool, but the HDMI situation is garbage. Then I tried the Logitech G Pro X 2—cool, but I don't know (the software is super moody, that's a fact!!). And so on.
Eventually, I landed on the Maxwell just as the hype train was leaving the station.
First impression: Very nice.
Second impression: Heavy.
Third impression: Negative experiences (we’ll get to that in a bit).
From the Start to the Repair
Yeah, I really liked it at first. Spoiler alert: it’s still here and it’s currently my main headset because... well, more on that later.
The sound was something else entirely, a whole new world. I loved that premium feel on my head. I’m not a hardcore audiophile or anything—I’m a gamer. Story games are my absolute love, but I also get addicted to Arc Raiders occasionally, I'm an Overwatch veteran (😂 at least that’s what I tell myself), and I play pretty much whatever else is out there. But 90% of the time, I’m sitting there playing single-player story games. Name one, and I’ve probably played it. So, I thought I had found the perfect tool for the job.
The first downer was Windows being a pain and randomly making the headset sound quieter than it actually is. Then midsummer hit, and you sweat so much you basically build a swimming pool inside the ear cups. Yes, they were full of moisture. It happens, and you can literally hear the water crinkling on the planar membranes. They can break from that. That’s when the doubts started.
I tried a few ear pads and I highly recommend staying away from Wicked Cushions (WC) Freeze pads. They are incredibly stiff, the cooling effect lasts for maybe 5 minutes, and they put this weird pressure on my jaw that just felt uncomfortable. Trash. I recently tested them briefly on my SteelSeries Nova Pro Wireless—same thing, I honestly don't get why people buy them, but whatever.
After all that, the fear of "crinkled membranes" crept in. Reddit is absolutely no help here because you read about it on every single corner. The truth is: Are they indestructible? No. Do I dare to say mine are perfect after a whole year? No, because I feel like the moment I do, they’ll break.
Now, let's talk about the headband. I’ll say it like it is: The stock leather band is absolute ass. On the revised Maxwell versions they made it wider, but you don't need a heavy 30g band on a 500g device—every gram counts. Because of the lack of comfort, I got an aftermarket one back then and had to DIY it, punching the holes myself. It was better, but not perfect. It broke quickly, but nobody needs to worry about that anymore. I will mention the Holy Grail in a moment, and nowadays there are plenty of alternatives (just for info, I'm located in the EU/Germany).
So, I went through a long phase of being satisfied, having doubts, being unsatisfied, over and over again. :/ It sucked. I even requested a return but just couldn't bring myself to part with it. I scoured the internet and just got a massive headache.
Then I bought the Dekoni Midnight Full Suede pads. Short story short: 8/10, totally worth it, super comfortable, good thickness, but they do get warm because of the synthetic leather. Got them for free through some circumstances anyway, so easy choice.
Basically, I spent months dealing with a mix of incredible sound but terrible comfort—sometimes good, sometimes "mid" (and mid is already trash when you pay this much).
Then came the point where I had to send it in for repair. The leather band was disintegrating and the screws on the housing bracket were coming loose. Super annoying. I sent it in and ordered the SteelSeries Nova Pro Wireless, secretly hoping for a refund because of my mixed feelings. The SteelSeries convinced me at first. It gave me what the Maxwell couldn't—but what the Maxwell gave me, the SteelSeries could never replicate.
Then I got the Maxwell back from repair... and it was still defective. Sent it right back and pushed for a refund. Luckily, the shop stepped up, actually fixed the minor defects properly, and I got it back. At that point, I wanted to sell it because I was in love with the SteelSeries. The Maxwell just sat there. The SS did its job, but the stock SS pads are cool for maybe 3 months before they are completely worn out. (Man, I'm writing a chaotic wall of text here 😂 I hope you can still follow my train of thought).
Anyway, I put the Maxwell on eBay (I hate eBay). Got some inquiries but never closed a deal. Meanwhile, I started noticing what the SteelSeries was lacking. I won't go into detail here because this post is already long enough. Long story short regarding the SS: Great headset, an all-rounder, but a master of none. Still a recommendation if you don't already have a Maxwell at home.
I’ll also be honest: seeing new headset releases like the updated Maxwells, the SteelSeries Elite, the Omni, etc., made me super insecure. But I decided to give the Maxwell one final chance because there are so many mods out there now.
And now, let’s talk about the cheat code that is absolutely carrying my experience right now:
1 Buy the Capra Headband. The guy who makes these is a literal wizard, like Harry Potter. Seriously, it is so good, it feels like a cheat code. That’s the one.
2 Pair it with WC StealthZ pads. Nice fabric material, gives you space and incredible comfort. This is it for me right now. It honestly feels like I have a Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro X on my head (had those briefly too—very nice, but compromises in other areas, not the point right now). It is so comfortable and feels completely different to wear. The premium heft remains, but instead of feeling like a premium dumbbell, it feels like a nice couch for your ears. I’m genuinely convinced.
Conclusion
As you can tell, I’m an overthinker and super indecisive, and the Maxwell is not an easy headset to deal with. That’s why I’m writing this. I was searching, I was so unsure, but I kept landing back on Audeze. There are alternatives, especially depending on your use case. But now, I think I’ve cracked it.
Get yourselves the Capra Band and some cool pads (cool as in comfortable—just please no WC Freeze or low-quality Defean pads). Get the StealthZ and adjust them via EQ (just search YouTube for the profile by Gadgetry Tech) or get some Dekonis. They are all great. But most importantly: The Capra Band is a absolute must. Forget pilot pads or other DIY stuff. Capra Band!!! That is the Holy Grail, escaping the Matrix, Gondor calling for aid.
So, you’ve just read a completely chaotic and unnecessarily long text. But I wanted to share my experience, and most of it has been awesome. It's just that Reddit and other forums can drive you crazy with all the negative reviews. Is the headset flawless out of the box? No. Is it for everyone? No, but what product is?
I’ve been on a massive journey with this thing, but it feels like I can finally "retire" and just enjoy it. I really hope I could help some of you avoid the mistakes I made. Buy it, buy the newer version if you feel like it, whatever. I’m just a consumer who wants to have fun with the stuff he buys. I’m not someone who does measurements or usually writes 90,000-character Reddit posts. But well... 🫤
That’s the end of it. If you have questions, shoot, I’ll try my best to help. But keep in mind I don't know everything better—I just have experience, not expert wisdom.

as per title, anyone in a position to offer a comparison, I appreciate the GX's are over twice the price, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything, but if you were to pick between the two regardless of cost, what would be your preference?

thx in advance

My Maxwell started sounding noticeably louder in the right ear (~5dB difference, measured). After browsing forums, I found that many people reported the same issue after updating to firmware v1.0.1.74.

Turns out Audeze has intentionally disabled the firmware rollback feature in both the old Audeze HQ app and the new Audeze App, the button is greyed out for everyone.

After about 10 hours of reverse engineering the Airoha RACE protocol and Audeze's SDK, I built a tool that can flash any firmware version to the Maxwell, bypassing Audeze's restrictions entirely.

What's included:
- Simple GUI (select platform, target, version, click Flash) or CLI
- Firmware files for v1.0.1.61, v1.0.1.63, and v1.0.1.74 (Xbox + PlayStation, dongle + headset)
- Fully self-contained — no Audeze software installation needed
- Only requires .NET 8 Runtime (free from Microsoft)

Important notes:
- Always flash the dongle first, then the headset. Both must match.
- For dongle updates: dongle plugged in, headset ON wirelessly
- For headset updates: connected via USB-C cable
- The only firmware versions I could find on Audeze's servers are .61, .63, and .74. If anyone has older firmware files, please share them.

Transparency: I'm not distributing compiled binaries, all source code is included so you can verify everything yourself. No admin privileges required. If you're cautious, you can run it in a VM with USB passthrough.

My result: Unfortunately, downgrading to .63 didn't fix my specific L/R imbalance, it appears to be a hardware issue in my case, and I'll just compensate with Windows channel balance. But for everyone else affected by the .74 firmware bug, you should have the right to downgrade your own headset.

I won't be posting this tool publicly to avoid Audeze finding a way to block this method. DM me if you want the files and instructions. If enough people want me to make it public, I will but then if it gets blocked, it’s not on me. Edit 4: https://github.com/kats1123/maxwell-firmware-downgrader

Edit 1: Grammar and spelling (it’s hard for me)

Edit 2: Someone DM'ed asking for a photo of the UI. I have attached it here as well!

Edit 3: First ever award, thank you!

Edit 5: I have been able to figure out some of the concrete changes between .63 and .74 I will make a dedicated Reddit post about it tomorrow but if anyone is interested: https://github.com/kats1123/maxwell-firmware-research . The TLDR is enough for most people!

Edit 6: V1.1 is out, adding HID for PS headset. both Xbox and PS headsets and dongles should work now!

Edit 7: V1.2 Out, just adding clearer instructions!

https://preview.redd.it/31c75l26kz1h1.png?width=481&format=png&auto=webp&s=83a3668f6ffb3342dbd67b29f4e93860b98e9ecd

So I've never really spent a lot on headsets (at most $90) but recently I've felt its time for an upgrade. Eventually I landed on the Maxwell 2, they seem really good in terms of audio and mic (compared to my current headset). The weight is fine for me i dont think it to be much of an issue but what I am concerned with is durability. I have read a couple of things that concern the planar drivers, saying that they could break easily. Now, I can be a particularly clumsy person, hell ive dropped my current headset a good amount in the year and a half ive had it. So before I spend a good amount of money on this I would like to know from people that actually have it. I mean ive heard a drop from a 3ft desk could damage the internals, but I'm a tad bit skeptical. If anyone could tell me and give me some other issues or pros and cons that would help a ton. Thank you!

Basically i want more of a slight punch with the bass for the weight but something that draws me in without over powering anything. Where I can still make positional audio clear and my overall environment.. Basically think of games aim towards action adventure or rpgs that still holds well with games like battlefield and doom

Hey guys, I’m losing my mind a bit on this and could use some troubleshooting help.

I bought the Maxwell 2s and have had this persistent warbling interference noise that sounds robotic and distorts both my audio and voice transmission. I’m pretty sure it’s wireless interference but I’m not getting any results with changing stuff around.

I’ve tried
-USB 3.0 dongle connection to the back of the mobo, it disconnects frequently
-USB 2.0 extension from the back, have interference,
-2.0 and 3.0 from the front of the case disconnects and audio distortion
-direct USB connection to the front of the PC and STILL had some intermittent distortion
-Aux cord has no distortion but WAY too quiet

I’ve already gotten a second pair as I returned the first as it had the same problems PLUS this awful tinnitus sound from the left ear cup.

Support was not helpful and just said something with your setup is the problem, not our product. Which yeah ok but I’m still having a real hard time with it.

My suspicion is interference, I have my CoX router on the desk, connected wired to my PC; and my mouse is a wireless 2.4ghz razer viper v3.

The distortion is seemingly random, but after a long session it gets worse and worse.

If anyone has had this problem and solved it please advise, you would be my hero

Hey All, I was just wondering what are your opinions about the Maxwells 2 after some firmware updates and time using it.

I almost bought it in the first week but I got scared due to the amount of complaints and faulty units being shipped.

Thanks!

Edit: I’m coming form a Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro X and I’ve been looking for the wireless + mic convenience without compromising on audio quality

I don't use ANC that much and rarely travels, maybe once a year. Which one is better sound wise ? Thank you

I’ve been gaming for years, and I’ve tried a lot of headsets but the Audeze Maxwell 2 is on another level. The soundstage is massive, the imaging is pinpoint accurate, and the bass hits hard without muddying up the mids and highs. Whether I’m chasing footsteps in competitive matches or enjoying immersive movies and music, these headphones deliver clarity and punch that make everything feel more alive.

For Battlefield 6 I dialed in these settings and they’ve been a game-changer, obviously this won't work for everyone but I spent a lot of time experimenting with these to hear footsteps perfectly so try tweaking these settings to see if it helps.

In-Game Audio Settings

• Audio Mix: 3D Headphones
• Audio Mix Preset: War Tapes V.A.L.

These settings combined with the Maxwell 2’s natural sound profile give me excellent directional audio, I can actually hear enemies flanking now and pin point if they are above below and even what surface there are running on.

EQ Settings in the Audeze Maxwell 2 App

I’m currently running a custom EQ preset (shown below) that boosts the low end slightly for that Battlefield rumble while keeping the mids and highs crisp for clear comms and footsteps.

https://preview.redd.it/1d1scjdu5k1h1.png?width=1684&format=png&auto=webp&s=2440a1dc7faed4fd68059919e21252402128c9bf

Dolby Atmos

Ive found that if i turn Dolby Atmos off on both Xbox and PC. The Maxwell 2 sounds significantly cleaner and more natural without the extra processing layers getting in the way.

If you’re serious about competitive FPS gaming or just want one of the best-sounding wireless headsets on the market, the Audeze Maxwell 2 is absolutely worth it. Highly recommended!

Hope this helps people, share your eq for games or music/movies and share what is working for you to help others.

https://preview.redd.it/jj1wwx4i3i1h1.png?width=945&format=png&auto=webp&s=8452db6416eea32f8f77a95ad838db38cc4457fa

Above picture is completely static at that exact bar when i try the mic test. When i pull out the boom mic, discord says it cant detect my mic. Did my headset broke or something? I recently update the drivers too.

Hi everyone,

GadgetryTech (Joe) here. I'll admit this pad launch came quicker than I was ready for, and some of you are already receiving pads prior to my video coming out sharing the measurements. I'd had some health issues making it difficult to film at the fast pace I wish I could, so in the meantime, I wanted to provide my measurements, some graphics, and my EQ settings for each pad.

I will also try to get my hands on both Dekoni pads too, so more to come on that later. For those unaware, I helped design the StealthZ pad, which uses velour and a lightweight memory foam. I ended up using a leatherette liner on the inside edge of the pad to maintain some of the bass and dynamics the stock headset had. Velour is very breathable but also leaky, and expect a bass drop because of it.

The FreeZe pad is actually their V2 FreeZe technology. It still uses a hybrid memory foam + cooling gel, but the surface material is different and does a better job of keeping temps down compared to their older pads.

I have no affiliation with Wicked Cushions outside of the StealthZ pad development, but I do appreciate their support in trusting me with my own pad process and for helping to co-fund the B&K 5128 measurement rig, which is being used to provide a lot of this data!

Here is a quick info graphic on pad dimensions of my samples, the impact on total headset weight, and clamp force. My graphics design skills suck, so full disclosure in that I used my Claude subscription to help make this data look nicer and easier to read. Feedback is welcome on this.

https://preview.redd.it/2uzuqrpphb1h1.png?width=2400&format=png&auto=webp&s=b5f3c5655f1d0deffbbb05376a2b7f018e0a9598

Here are the frequency response measurements of all three pads compared, using the B&K 5128 Measurement rig (this info is on my new website, https://headphonedatabase.com). These were measured on the latest firmware.

https://preview.redd.it/zj80l40shb1h1.png?width=3506&format=png&auto=webp&s=346a2e9f6dc448b1f44b23119444d2568d55729a

Of course I had to make EQ profiles! If you want your new pad to sound like how the stock pad sounds, the following settings are the closest I could provide to get there.

https://preview.redd.it/u3k2c26ohb1h1.png?width=2400&format=png&auto=webp&s=a310913e872b9e49b3de2bd5e359d12420098232

If you do not want to copy these numbers directly, you can directly import EQ settings now as well. Here are the import links:

FreeZe EQ Profile - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mm-CQ870TCmM1gIkHArZamfae5xkN_eG/view?usp=sharing

StealthZ EQ Profile - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EtidzDk03ESf4OZp4ikc03Ktamp0O9NT/view?usp=sharing

I measured the Maxwell 2 with both pads after I applied my EQ, and confirmed close to the same general sound profile as the stock Audeze preset. Here is a post-EQ measurement of the FreeZe pad again, compared to the stock pad.

https://preview.redd.it/i4jlg1nkhb1h1.png?width=3518&format=png&auto=webp&s=afec8663525446170f51e3fa5074518853d9b507

I hope this helps cover some basics in the meantime. I'll provide more closeups of the pads and explain some other characteristics in my upcoming video. I will say that the padding is larger on both aftermarket pads, but slightly more firm. This was to improve long term durability so they don't collapse in an unreasonable amount of time.

Thank you all for taking the time to read this, and I hope you find it helpful! I'll do my best to answer questions when I can. I also take no offense in some people not liking the StealthZ pad, or even things I say, so don't feel like you can't express or share your opinions. Thanks everyone.

Hey r/audeze,

I was really excited to try the Maxwell 2 headset, since it’s basically the only headset that checks all my boxes. I’d seen the massive amount of complaints about the hiss, but some people said they got a set that didn’t have it, or that firmware had fixed it.

Finally pulled the trigger and… the hiss is so terrible that just having the headset turned on (not even connected) quickly gives me a headache. Updated all the firmware, tried connecting the dongle to every different USB port I have, factory reset, tried with microphone and without. I returned for a second set thinking it must be a QA issue, and the new ones have it too.

It sounds like a DAC noise floor, and is present whenever the headphones are turned on, even when not connected to anything. The fact that so many people have reported the hiss, and both sets I got have it, seems to lend credence to the conclusion most people here have landed on: every Maxwell 2 has this issue, and some people are just not very sensitive to it.

Has anyone managed to figure out a solution?? Is there anyone with sensitive hearing, that is generally able to hear noise floors like this, who got a Maxwell 2 that is bearable?

It seems like Audeze has just stopped responding to threads here — have they just given up? I’ve also noticed the Maxwell 2s going out of stock pretty much everywhere — have retailers just bailed on it given the huge amount of returns?

I was really excited to have a set of 2.4ghz wireless cans that sound better than my Arctis Nova Pros — should I try to find a pair of original Maxwells? Seems so strange that the originals seem to have had great QA and no issues, but this new version is basically unusable out of the box :(

Any help is appreciated!!

I was just playing Baldur’s Gate 3 and wow, I only just noticed how nice & prevalent the bass was in this game.

I was also watching professional adult videos & noticed the clapping of the cheeks came through the audio content MUCH clearer in one scene, LIKE I WAS THERE!

I highly recommend, no hiss or disconnect issues on my Playstation/PC edition.

WORTH IT!

I honestly dont know where to begin, these are the first headphones ive bought of this price range and Im a total audio noob so please forgive any mistakes.

1st They honestly dont sound that much better than earlier gaming headphones ive had, but then again I dont know what I should be expecting. So should I buy a dac and an amp and go wired or would this not work?

2nd How do I use the included dolby atmos software? I see that it has its own EQ system but should I then delete the audeze software ive been using until now because they might conflict with eachother?
And what about the rest does dolby atmos do anything else besides surround sound replication?

3rd I read somewhere there is a newer anc version coming out, should I just return these and wait for that one or wil that one turn out to be even more expensive?

thanks in advance for the answers honestly, while still being extremely hyped and a little dissapointed im also just very confused on what I should do and think.

EDIT: Im using these for watching movies and gaming mainly if that has any effect on something.