In 2026, Audeze — a brand renowned among audiophiles for its **planar magnetic headphones — stepped boldly into the gaming arena with the Audeze Maxwell 2, a wireless headset designed to blend reference-grade sound with competitive gaming performance. Building on the success of its predecessor, this flagship model introduces enhanced spatial immersion, AI-powered mic technology, and versatile connectivity — making it one of the most talked-about headsets of the year.
🎧 Design & Comfort — Premium Build for Marathon Sessions
From the moment you pick up the Maxwell 2, you can tell it’s built for serious use. It’s a closed-back, over-ear design with plush memory foam cups and a wide ventilated suspension head strap for better airflow and comfort during long gaming or listening sessions.
Weight: Around 560 g — slightly heavier than typical gaming headsets due to its advanced planar drivers and tech inside.
Magnetic Ear Pads: Quick-swap, magnetic ear cushions make maintenance and personalization easier.
Durable Frame: A rugged and refined construction gives it a premium feel while still remaining comfortable if you wear it for hours at a time.
Overall, while it’s on the heftier side compared to lighter gaming headsets, its well-balanced design and breathable padding make it comfortable for extended play.
🔊 Audio Performance — Immersive Spatial Sound & Depth
The Maxwell 2’s core strength is its exceptional sound quality, driven by 90 mm planar magnetic drivers — far larger and more detailed than typical dynamic drivers found in most gaming headsets.
🎶 Planar Magnetic Precision
Planar drivers are known for extremely low distortion and wide frequency range (approximately 10 Hz to 50 kHz), producing sound with clarity and depth that bring games and music to life.
🌐 SLAM™ Spatial Technology
Patent-pending SLAM™ (Spatial Load-Adaptive Module) enhances bass response and audio imaging, creating a wide, immersive soundstage that makes it easier to hear directional cues, footsteps, and environmental subtleties — key advantages in competitive gaming and cinematic single-player experiences alike.
🎧 High-Resolution Audio Support
Through the included USB-C ultra-low latency wireless dongle, you can enjoy high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/96 kHz, keeping both games and music crisp without audible lag.
Whether you’re gaming, watching movies, or listening to music, the Maxwell 2 delivers sound that’s rich, detailed, and truly immersive — a standout in its category.
🎤 AI-Enhanced Microphone & Communication
Competitive gaming depends on clear team communication, and the Maxwell 2 steps up with an AI-powered mic system designed to isolate your voice while reducing background noise.
FILTER™ AI Noise Removal: Offers advanced noise suppression so your voice comes through clean and natural in chats or streams.
High-Bandwidth Processing: Improves clarity and reduces distraction from outside sounds.
Detachable Hypercardioid Boom Mic: Lets you tailor how you communicate — use the boom for focused voice capture or remove it for casual listening.
While some community impressions suggest mixed feedback on actual mic performance in practice (e.g., voice quality and sidetone perception), the incorporation of AI noise removal is a significant upgrade over many conventional gaming headsets.
📡 Connectivity & Compatibility
The Maxwell 2 excels in versatile connectivity:
🔗 Wireless & Bluetooth
Ultra-Low Latency USB-C Wireless: Lag-free connection ideal for gaming on PC, consoles, or handheld devices.
Bluetooth 5.3: Supports LE Audio, LDAC, AAC, and Auracast, enabling high-quality wireless audio with phones, tablets, and more.
Multipoint Support: Connect more than one device simultaneously for music and calls on the go.
🔌 Wired Options
USB-C Digital with Game/Chat Mix
3.5 mm TRRS Active Analog connections ensure you’re never without audio, even if wireless isn’t available.
Wide platform support means you can use the Maxwell 2 with PC, Mac, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS — with spatial audio tech like Dolby Atmos on some platforms.
🔋 Battery & Performance
With a **high-capacity battery offering over 80 hours of wireless playback, the Maxwell 2 achieves class-leading endurance — ideal for long gaming marathons or days of listening without frequent recharges.
Fast Charging: Around 20 minutes of charge gives up to 24 hours of use — handy if you need quick power between sessions.
This combination of battery life and fast charging makes the headset reliable for extended use.
💰 Price & Value (2026)
The Audeze Maxwell 2 launches with premium pricing:
PlayStation / PC Edition: Around $329 USD
Xbox Edition (with Dolby Atmos licensing): Around $349 USD
These prices position the Maxwell 2 as a high-end gaming audio headset, competing with top-tier wireless and audiophile-grade headsets — but its combination of planar drivers, immersive spatial tech, and AI mic makes it a serious contender for enthusiasts who want the best experience without compromise.
🏁 Final Verdict — A New Benchmark in Gaming Audio
The Audeze Maxwell 2 isn’t just another gaming headset — it’s an audiophile-grade hybrid that merges reference-level sound quality with gaming-centric features. What sets it apart:
🎯 Highlights
Massive 90 mm planar magnetic drivers for clear, distortion-free audio.
SLAM™ spatial audio technology for immersive positional awareness.
AI-enhanced mic tech that cleans up voice comms.
80+ hours battery life with fast charge.
Flexible connectivity across platforms.
⚠️ Considerations
Slightly heavier design might feel bulky to some users.
Premium price point means it’s aimed at enthusiasts who prioritize audio quality.
In short, if audio fidelity, spatial immersion, and advanced communication matter to you — and you’re willing to invest — the Audeze Maxwell 2 delivers one of the most immersive and capable headset experiences available in 2026.
