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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize the latest technology, exceptional gaming and TV video performance, and the convenience of both wired and wireless connections, the Audeze Maxwell might be your choice despite its premium price. However, if you're seeking good overall sound quality, a more budget-friendly option, and primarily use headphones for listening to music or casual use without the need for wireless features, the Audio Technica ATH M30X could be more appropriate. Keep in mind the Audeze Maxwell also offers long battery life and a planar driver type, which is typically associated with high-quality audio reproduction. 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 Audeze Maxwell
- Very good for music
- Very good for phone calls
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Audio Technica ATH M30X
- The Audio Technica ATH M30X has no clear advantages over the Audeze Maxwell.
Key differences
Music
8.4
7.6
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for music, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is good.
Gaming
9.0
6.6
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
Phone Calls
8.7
4.3
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.4
6.9
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
TV and Video
8.9
7.9
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for TV and video, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is good.
Battery
78.0 Hours
N/A
The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life. The Audio Technica ATH M30X does not have a battery.
Cost
$299
$89
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze Maxwell has a price of $299 and the Audio Technica ATH M30X costs $89.
Build Quality
9.0
7.2
The Audeze Maxwell has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
6.0
6.0
The Audeze Maxwell and Audio Technica ATH M30X are both only fair for noise reduction.
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How the Audeze Maxwell and the Audio Technica ATH M30X compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze Maxwell | Audio Technica ATH M30X |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$299 | $89 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | Audio Technica | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | January 1, 2014 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.4/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.7/10 | 4.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.1/10 | 6.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 4.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 78 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 498.9 Grams | 220 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
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."
Audio Technica ATH M30X
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | August 2023
"The Audio-Technica ATH-M30x is a great choice for anybody that needs a decent set of over-ear studio monitors. While the frequency response is not totally spot on, it works for basically every situation reasonably well. The sound quality and reasonably good comfort promote its candidacy as a great pick for $69 USD."
Get a great deal on the Audeze Maxwell or the Audio Technica ATH M30X
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.
About Audio Technica
Audio Technica is a 60-year-old, Japan-based, professional audio equipment manufacturer. They started off making phonograph cartridges and have expanded their scope of products ever since to include extremely popular models of microphones and headphones. They have been the official audio equipment supplier of several editions of the Summer and Winter Olympics and every edition of the Grammy Awards since 1998.
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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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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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