Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC review: an excellent, though not essential, upgrade for the best-sounding gaming headset Ive ever used
Date:
Tue, 27 Oct 2026 02:00:00 +0000
Description:
The Maxwell 2 ANC is a super-charged version of my favorite gaming headset, and audiophile planar magnetic driver specialists Audeze have created something really special.
FULL STORY ======================================================================Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC: one-minute review The Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC is simply a fantastic version of an already world-beating wireless gaming headset . While it shares an awful lot with the original Audeze Maxwell 2 that launched earlier this year, the addition of genuinely excellent active noise cancellation (ANC) means that it offers an enhanced experience compared to
its brethren.
The design and build remain very similar to that older model, with the big, weighty earcups sitting comfortably over your ears while the leather
headstrap keeps things secure. Controls are also nearly identical, bar the addition of the ANC button on the front of the left cup. Its a sturdy and robust build which gives great confidence, but if youre in any way wary of weighty sets, then the Maxwell 2 ANC might be a bit much for you its a chonker at 19.75oz / 560g. However, the heft is unequivocally worth it in my opinion: when it comes to performance, the Maxwell 2 is absolutely fantastic. The non-ANC Maxwell 2 is my pick for the best-sounding gaming headset money can buy right now, and the ANC variant sounds just as brilliant in all scenarios across different platforms. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:
The ANC itself is a welcome addition and a genuinely impressive one, blocking out all exterior noise in my testing, as well as offering a transparency
mode. The quality of the ANC makes it perfect for busy environments, or just achieving maximal immersion in your games.
This is up there with the absolute best in the premium ANC business like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni and Nova Elite I tested in recent months
and I cant recommend it more if it fits in your budget. (Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar) Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC (PC) at Amazon for 369 Audeze Maxwell
2 ANC: Price and availability List price: $429 / 429 / AU$699 Chunky increase in price over the non-ANC model Priced alongside competitors from the likes
of SteelSeries, but above other wireless contenders The Maxwell 2 ANC is more expensive than its regular counterpart: its $100 / 90 / AU$130 more. With
only a few features that are different from its non-ANC brother, its value proposition will be called into question.
For that price, its above the likes of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni
(a direct competitor to the Maxwell 2), which is a headset with excellent ANC and one I really would recommend as well. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
More broadly, you can still get models such as the brilliant Turtle Beach Stealth Pro 2 headset for comfortably less, and other planar magnetic driver gaming headsets like the wired Asus ROG Kithara are cheaper still (though arent quite like-for-like).
As a result, the Audeze Maxwell 2 is a premium headset package, and the combination of its awesome planar magnetic driver audio and the great ANC makes it a sizable investment in the gaming headset market though still much less than the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite. If the best gaming audio and ANC are both must-have features for you, then the Maxwell 2 ANC will still offer what you want and earn its price tag. (Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar) Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC: Specs Swipe to scroll horizontally
Price
$429 / 429 / AU$699
Weight
19.75oz / 560g
Drivers
90mm Planar Magnetic
Compatibility
PlayStation or Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC, Mac, Mobile
Connection type
Wireless (2.4Ghz via dongle), Wired (USB-C & audio jack), Bluetooth 5.3 (Auracast, LE Audio, LC3, LC3plus, LDAC, AAC, SBC, Multipoint)
Battery life
ANC off: 40 hours; ANC on: 35 hours
Features
Aviation-grade ANC with dual dedicated 1.4W amplifiers, 24-bit/96kHz high-resolution audio, SLAM acoustic management technology, detachable hypercardioid mic, beamforming mic with physical and AI reduction, FILTER Noise Reduction Technology, embedded Dolby Atmos license (Xbox)
Software
Audeze App (PC & mobile) Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC: Design & features Robust build with a great feature set that builds on predecessor A little heavier than the non-ANC headset Weaker battery life The Maxwell 2 ANC gives great confidence with its build. It feels robust, solid, and able to withstand a knock or a drop (something I can attest to), and a lot of that comes from its weightiness. Some folks might immediately associate heavy gaming headset with bad, but I really think that is a grave misconception and something drilled into us by the marketing of other brands.
In reality, the design and build are so nicely done that it offsets the weight, and the comfort too largely down to its new memory foam cushions and ventilated leather head strap means that Ive never really noticed wearing
the Maxwell 2 ANC for even the longest sessions.
In terms of on-board controls, the left cup houses the volume dial, the game-chat mix dial, an audio jack, a USB-C port, a mic port, and the new ANC button. The right cup has the mic mute switch and the power button, which
also doubles up as the Bluetooth pairing button. Simple. The dual microphone is very welcome, and means you can deploy the Maxwell 2 ANC for entertainment and music, and still rely on something for comms, without plugging in the detachable boom mic. (Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar) Small improvements are also present and welcome. One of which is that the wireless dongle is much shorter than the lollipop stick found with the non-ANC model, and makes for a much tidier look on the front of a PS5 or PC. The head tracking features provided by Embody Immerse Gaming Hive and Dolby Atmos Rendered compatibility are fun and a novelty, though they still feel a little niche for me.
The most notable thing in the features of the Maxwell 2 ANC, however, sadly, is that the battery life has taken a dive compared to the regular Maxwell 2. While the non-ANC version could get you 80-odd hours of use, the ANC version is limited to about half of that with ANC off, and 35 hours with ANC on.
Its perfectly serviceable and still provides you with comfortably more than a full day, but it is a shame the difference is so massive. (Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar) Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC: Performance Incredible audio quality across all games Excellent ANC performance that doesnt kill bass Comfortable to wear, plus a really solid mic The Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC is simply fantastic when put to the test. The gaming audio it provides is every bit as good as
the audio I love from the regular Maxwell 2.
No matter what Ive been playing, the Maxwell 2 ANC provides thumping combat sounds, beautifully crisp environmental audio, and rich, rounded soundtracks. Its a joy to use as a media and entertainment pair of headphones too, with music singing clearly into my ears. Planar magnetic driver audio really is something else.
Backing this up is the microphone combo, which ensures Im clear and crisp
with my teammates even in the most frantic of online multiplayer battles.
Key to the audio sounding so good all the time is that the main USP of the headset, the ANC, doesnt kill bass like almost every other ANC Ive tried in
my years of testing.
This means that you really are getting uncompromising audio, and some very effective ANC too; its excellent for immersion, and even in a busy household with a few people, Ive been unbothered by external noise. This is undoubtedly aided by Audezes SLAM (Symmetric Linear Acoustic Modulator) tech , which is proven to assist in bass performance. (Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar) The weight of the headset doesnt impact the performance of the Maxwell 2 ANC from a comfort perspective either. It might be heavier than other headsets, sure, but its never been uncomfortable on my head, even in the longest of sessions. I've almost come to prefer it over lightweight models you totally forget
youre wearing.
Elsewhere, I will say that by default the Maxwell 2 ANC can be quite quiet, which was a mild annoyance, though easily solved on PC or PS5 by manually adjusting the volume. The companion Audeze app on desktop and mobile has also been handy, facilitating firmware updates and allowing for EQ tinkering.
All in all, the Maxwell 2 ANC has all that is great about the non-ANC variant and adds excellent ANC. If you have to have the latter and are eyeing up the best version of the best-sounding headset, then this is the one to get.
(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar) Should I buy the Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC? Buy
it if...
You want the best version of the best-sounding gaming headset going If youre on the hunt for the best-sounding gaming headset money can buy right now, and want to make sure you get the most up-to-date variant, then the Audeze
Maxwell 2 ANC is the one for you.
You need excellent ANC in a gaming headset If ANC is at the top of your desired feature list, then whats on offer here in the Maxwell 2 ANC -
combined with its sheer audio quality and prowess - is certainly something to take notice of.
Youre an audiophile gamer chasing the best in audio from specialist drivers If youre someone who really, really cares about your gaming audio and wants something extra special thats geared toward audio lovers, then the Maxwell 2 ANCs planar magnetic drivers, in conjunction with its ANC and other features, are perfect for you.
Youre on one, maybe two, platforms only While it cant connect to lots of devices simultaneously like some of the competition, if youre looking for one of the best gaming headsets money can buy for a small number of platforms, then this version of the Audeze Maxwell 2 needs to be considered. Don't buy
it if...
Youre wary of weighty headsets Personally, I think this is a grossly overstated con of gaming headsets, but the fact remains: if youve grown used to lightweight headsets, then the Maxwell 2 ANC wont be for you.
You already have a Maxwell 2 As great as the ANC is on this new version of the Maxwell 2, if its a feature you can do without, then Id recommend the normal version of the Maxwell 2 to save some cash but still get that supreme audio experience. Also consider... If the Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC doesnt feel like its going to hit the mark for you, then these are the two alternatives
Id look to right now. Swipe to scroll horizontally Row 0 - Cell 0
Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC
Audeze Maxwell 2
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni
Price
$429 / 429 / AU$699
$329 / 339 / AU$569
$399.99 / 349.99 / AU$799
Weight
19.75oz / 560g
17.3oz / 490g
11.95oz / 339g
Drivers
90mm Planar Magnetic
90mm Planar Magnetic
Custom 40mm Neodymium Magnetic (Hi-Res)
Compatibility
PlayStation or Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC, Mac, Mobile
PlayStation or Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC, Mac, Mobile
PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, Mobile, Meta Quest 2/3
Connection type
Wireless (2.4Ghz via dongle), Wired (USB-C & audio jack), Bluetooth 5.3 (Auracast, LE Audio, LC3, LC3plus, LDAC, AAC, SBC, Multipoint)
Wireless (2.4Ghz via dongle), Wired (USB-C & audio jack), Bluetooth 5.3 (Auracast, LE Audio, LC3, LC3plus, LDAC, AAC, SBC, Multipoint)
Hi-Res wireless (2.4Ghz via dongle), Wired (audio jack), Bluetooth 5.3 + LE Audio (SBC with MultiPoint support for up to 10 devices; LC3, LC3+ for LE Audio)
Battery life
ANC off: 40 hours; ANC on: 35 hours
80+ hours
Up to 60 hours (2 x fully-charged batteries), Infinite Power System
Features
Aviation-grade ANC with dual dedicated 1.4W amplifiers, 24-bit/96kHz high-resolution audio, SLAM acoustic management technology, detachable hypercardioid mic, beamforming mic with physical and AI reduction, FILTER Noise Reduction Technology, embedded Dolby Atmos license (Xbox)
24-bit/96kHz high-resolution audio, SLAM acoustic management technology, detachable hypercardioid mic, beamforming mic with physical and AI reduction, FILTER Noise Reduction Technology, embedded Dolby Atmos license (Xbox)
Simultaneous four-source audio via Omni GameHub; certified Hi-Res audio (96kHz/24-bit), ClearCast Pro - Retractable Boom Microphone with onboard AI Noise Rejection, ANC, Arctis Companion App compatibility
Software
Audeze App (PC & mobile)
Audeze App (PC & mobile)
SteelSeries GG/Sonar, SteelSeries Arctis Companion App (iOS & Android) (Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar) How I tested the Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC Tested over the course of a few months Compared with other headsets, including the
non-ANC version Used across PS5 and PC games, on mobile, and for music, work, and entertainment Ive used the Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC as my go-to PS5 headset for a few months now, playing the likes of Assassins Creed Black Flag
Resynced , Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy , Marvels Wolverine , and Tom Clancy's The Division 2 and Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2 with friends online, as well as regularly using it on my PC when not using my SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni headset a competing headset that has been great for comparison.
On my Acer Predator Orion 5000 gaming PC (supplied by Acer ) , Ive tested the Maxwell 2 ANC not only with everyday usage like work calls, music, and TV,
but also with games like Cyberpunk 2077 , Frostpunk 2 , Crusader Kings 3 ,
and a preview of a game or two under embargo.
First reviewed July-October 2026
Read more about how we test Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC: Price Comparison 369 View voucher gift 428.99 View 429 View voucher gift 429 View voucher gift 448.99 View We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices powered by
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https://www.techradar.com/gaming/audeze-maxwell-2-anc-review
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