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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audeze Maxwell offers superior gaming, TV, and video performance with excellent battery life and wireless connectivity, making them an ideal choice for long sessions of immersive entertainment. They also feature planar drivers known for detailed sound and active noise cancelling to block outside noise during air travel, although they don't score as high on portability due to their size and weight. On the other hand, the Audio Technica ATH M40X, while significantly more affordable, delivers a higher overall sound quality and is praised for its soundstage. They are wired with dynamic drivers, which makes them lighter and possibly a better fit for studio use or stationary listening environments, but lack the wireless convenience, microphone, and active noise cancellation of the Audeze Maxwell. Consider the Audeze Maxwell for versatile, high-end use including gaming and if budget allows, or the ATH M40X for focused music listening and cost-effectiveness. 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 phone calls
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Audio Technica ATH M40X
- The Audio Technica ATH M40X has no clear advantages over the Audeze Maxwell.
Key differences
Gaming
9.0
7.0
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is good.
Phone Calls
8.7
3.3
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.4
5.1
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
5.3
The Audeze Maxwell is only fair for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Battery
78.0 Hours
N/A
The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life. The Audio Technica ATH M40X does not have a battery.
Cost
$299
$99
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze Maxwell has a price of $299 and the Audio Technica ATH M40X costs $99.
Build Quality
9.0
8.2
The Audeze Maxwell has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.4
8.1
The Audeze Maxwell and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both very good for music.
TV and Video
8.9
8.7
The Audeze Maxwell and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both very good for TV and video.
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How the Audeze Maxwell and the Audio Technica ATH M40X compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze Maxwell | Audio Technica ATH M40X |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$299 | $99 | ||
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 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.7/10 | 3.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.1/10 | 7.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 8.8/10 | |
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 | 5.3/10 | |
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 | 8.2/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 498.9 Grams | 245 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 M40X
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Soundguys
Lily Katz | August 2023
"If you were to pick one headset to fill all of your needs, the ATH-M40x is a great buy with its sub-$100 price tag, pleasant sound quality, and accessories. Whether you need to use it for live monitoring, a midnight editing session, or to underscore a campus walk, the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is a great companion."
Get a great deal on the Audeze Maxwell or the Audio Technica ATH M40X
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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