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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the AirPods Max and the Audeze Maxwell depends on your priorities. If you want headphones with better overall sound quality, especially for gaming and watching TV, the Maxwell is superior. They also offer a longer battery life and a detachable cable with planar drivers, which are known for exceptional audio fidelity. On the other hand, the AirPods Max comes with active noise cancellation, which is excellent for air travel, and they're optimized for Apple devices. The Maxwell is usually less expensive, which makes them a better value considering their higher sound scores across different content types. However, keep in mind that the Maxwells are heavier and less portable, which could be a drawback if you're always on the go. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods Max
- Excellent for air travel
Advantages of the Audeze Maxwell
- Very good for music
- Very good for phone calls
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.3
8.4
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for music, while the Apple Airpods Max is good.
Gaming
5.5
9.0
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for gaming, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Phone Calls
6.6
8.7
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for phone calls, while the Apple Airpods Max is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
9.4
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Apple Airpods Max is very good.
TV and Video
5.7
8.9
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Noise Reduction
10.0
6.0
The Apple Airpods Max is best in class for noise reduction, while the Audeze Maxwell is only fair.
Battery
21.0 Hours
78.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life.
Cost
$549
$299
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the Audeze Maxwell costs $299.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Apple Airpods Max and Audeze Maxwell both have excellent build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods Max and the Audeze Maxwell compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Max | Audeze Maxwell |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$549 | $299 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Audeze | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | January 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.6/10 | 8.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 9.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 21 Hours | 78 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.3 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 10/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 385.5 Grams | 498.9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Max
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Adam Molina | July 2023
"Objectively, the AirPods Max is a spectacular pair of headphones. I appreciate the smart features like auto-pause and the transparency mode are super practical. It also sounds great, is well-built, and has solid battery life."
Audeze Maxwell
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | August 2023
"Despite a few caveats, the Audeze Maxwell is one of the best-performing gaming headsets on the market and should top the ranks for a few buyers — provided the budget (and neck strength) is there. Gaming headsets have their work cut out for them, and their audience is historically unkind to performance flaws. If you’re an older gamer with some cash to blow, you should be pleased with the Audeze Maxwell."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Max or the Audeze Maxwell
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About Audeze
Audeze is an, award-winning, American premium headphone manufacturer based in California. Founded in 2008, their products are developed around aerospace materials technology first used by NASA and are widely used by enthusiasts and professionals alike, not only in the fields of music and sound engineering but also in e-sports and the health industry.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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