Audeze Maxwell 2 PlayStation

Three years after a first model that shook up the rules of gaming headsets, Audeze is back with a targeted technical evolution. The format remains identical: 90 mm planar magnetic drivers, gargantuan battery life, and sound ambitions rarely seen in this segment. The PlayStation version natively integrates Sony’s Tempest 3D engine and works on PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch 2, and mobile devices via various connection modes.

Drivers unlike anything else

The size of the drivers almost sums up the concept on its own. 90 mm planar magnetic diaphragms versus 40 or 50 mm for almost all gaming headsets: the surface area is close to three times larger. This architecture allows the diaphragm to move more air with less excursion, reducing harmonic distortion (quoted at under 0.1% at 100 dB) and enabling an extended frequency response from 10 Hz to 50 kHz.

Audeze has retained the proven technologies from its hi-fi headphones: the Fluxor magnetic structure uses N50 neodymium magnets arranged in a lattice to maximize flux without adding weight, while the Fazor waveguides control phase interactions between the diaphragm and the ear. The Uniforce diaphragm distributes the driving force evenly across its entire surface, avoiding the breakup modes typical of conventional dynamic drivers.

SLAM: an acoustic modulator for low frequencies

The main technical addition in this second generation comes with an acronym: SLAM, for Symmetric Linear Acoustic Modulator. The principle is based on acoustic channels integrated into the ring that connects the earpads to the drivers. These conduits, whose length and cross-section have been calculated by simulation, balance the pressure between the ear and the diaphragm.

When a closed-back headset provides good sealing, the pressure exerted on the diaphragm differs depending on whether it moves toward the ear or away from it. SLAM compensates for this asymmetry so that the diaphragm operates in more linear conditions. The claimed result: a 6 dB boost in the deep bass down to 10 Hz, with better control and less overhang. This technology, introduced in 2024 on the high-end CRBN2 electrostatic headphone, is appearing here for the first time in a gaming headset.

The trade-off is in the weight: 560 g versus 490 g for the previous model. The extra 70 grams largely come from this mechanical acoustic system and the revised earcup structure.

A redesigned headband for long sessions

The suspension strap has been widened and perforated to dissipate heat. The earpads use a modified profile with more internal space, which should accommodate ears of various sizes. The magnetic mounting allows the earpads to be removed without tools for cleaning or replacement.

The steel headband retains its rigidity, but the weight distribution on the head depends heavily on how the suspension strap is adjusted. This adjustment is made at three points on each side, after removing the strap. The operation is not as intuitive as on models with a continuous slider.

The ReSkin system allows you to customize the appearance: the side plates on the earcups come off with a simple twist thanks to magnets. Audeze is planning collaborations and limited editions, although the ReSkin store is not yet up and running.

Four connection modes, but not simultaneously

The wireless USB-C dongle provides a low-latency 2.4 GHz link with high-resolution audio up to 24-bit / 96 kHz. This is the recommended mode for competitive gaming on PlayStation 5, PC, or Switch 2. Wired USB-C connection offers the same audio quality and adds game/chat mixing on PC (this feature is not available on PlayStation, where mixing must be adjusted in the console menus).

Bluetooth 5.3 supports LE Audio, Auracast, LDAC, AAC, SBC, LC3, and LC3plus, with multipoint capability to switch between several devices. However, simultaneous listening via dongle and Bluetooth is not possible: the headset automatically switches to the active Bluetooth source, then returns to the dongle after a few seconds of silence. This limitation was already present on the previous model.

The 3.5 mm TRRS jack works in active mode, which means the headset must be powered on to use it. It lets you plug the headset into a DualSense controller or any other device with an analog audio output.

Microphone: combined physical filtering and digital processing

The hypercardioid boom microphone detaches magnetically. Its design physically limits off-axis pickup, and a foam pop filter attenuates plosives. Audeze claims a physical ambient noise reduction of up to 20 dB thanks to this design.

FILTER AI processing analyzes the signal in real time to isolate the voice from background noise. Compared to the previous model, the processing bandwidth has doubled, which better preserves the natural timbre of the voice while filtering out mechanical keyboards, fans, or nearby conversations. Three intensity levels are available, activated by a button on the left earcup.

Two microphones built into the earcups take over when the boom is disconnected. Their quality is lower, with a more hollow tone and audible reflections, but they are handy for a quick call.

Audeze app: a cross-platform companion

The control app has been completely rebuilt. It runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, with an interface that no longer looks like software from the 2000s. The 10-band equalizer offers 6 presets and 4 custom slots. Custom profiles are stored directly in the headset, allowing you to cycle through them using the volume wheel without reopening the app.

Settings include sidetone level (hearing your own voice), AI noise reduction intensity, and game/chat mix on compatible platforms. On PC, the app sometimes struggles to detect whether the headset is connected via dongle or USB cable, requiring a few attempts to stabilize the connection.

Battery life and fast charging

More than 80 hours of listening are quoted at a moderate sound level of 80 dBA. In mixed use with microphone active and AI processing, battery life decreases but still exceeds several days of normal use. A full charge takes about two hours via USB-C. A 20-minute charge restores about 25% of the battery, or around twenty hours of listening.

The headset powers off automatically after a user-definable period of inactivity. There is no user-replaceable battery option.

Tempest 3D spatial audio

The PlayStation version natively supports Sony’s 3D audio engine. Settings are adjusted in the PlayStation 5 audio menu, which notably offers HRTF profile calibration according to the user’s morphology. On PC and Mac, since Tempest 3D is not available, the user will need to turn to Windows Sonic (free) or another software solution if spatial processing is desired.

Technical specifications

General information

• Type: closed-back over-ear wireless gaming headset
• Compatibility: PlayStation 4 / 5, PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch 2, iOS, Android

Drivers and acoustics

• 90 mm planar magnetic drivers (8th generation)
  • Magnetic structure: Fluxor magnet array (N50 neodymium)
  • Phase management: Fazor
  • Acoustic management: SLAM
  • Diaphragm: Uniforce
• Frequency response: 10 Hz – 50 kHz
• Maximum sound pressure level: greater than 115 dB
• Total harmonic distortion: less than 0.1% at 100 dB
• Maximum audio resolution: 24-bit / 96 kHz
• Spatial audio: Sony Tempest 3D

Connectivity

• 2.4 GHz wireless
  • Ultra–low-latency USB-C dongle
• Bluetooth 5.3
  • Supported protocols: LE Audio, Auracast, LDAC, AAC, SBC, LC3, LC3plus
  • Multipoint
• Digital wired USB-C
  • High-resolution audio with game / chat mix
• Active 3.5 mm TRRS analog wired

Microphone

• Detachable hypercardioid boom microphone with pop filter
• FILTER AI noise reduction (dual bandwidth)
  • Physical and artificial noise reduction
• Built-in microphones for use without boom

Battery life and power

• Wireless battery life: more than 80 hours at 80 dBA
• Fast charging: 20 minutes for 25%
• Full charge: about 2 hours
• Charging port: USB-C

Comfort and design

• Weight: 560 g
• Steel headband with widened ventilated suspension strap
• Memory foam ear pads
  • Leatherette covering
  • Magnetic attachment
• Customization: ReSkin system (interchangeable magnetic side plates)

Audeze app

• Available on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
• 10-band equalizer
  • 6 presets and 4 custom profiles
• Control of game / chat mix, sidetone, AI noise reduction

Box contents

• Maxwell 2 headset
• Detachable boom microphone with pop filter
• Low-latency wireless USB-C dongle
• USB-C to USB-C cable (1.5 m)
• USB-C to USB-A adapter (0.3 m)
• 3.5 mm TRRS analog cable (1.2 m)