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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audeze Maxwell offers a premium listening experience with superior overall sound quality, excellent for gaming, TV, and video due to low latency support, and they have a longer battery life for continuous use. They also include active noise cancelling for quieter environments and are wireless with a high-quality lossless codec. On the other hand, the Audio Technica M50x is known for its high sound quality and durability but doesn't offer wireless connectivity, has no active noise cancelling, and lacks the advanced features of the Audeze Maxwell such as app controls and customization. They're more portable due to being lighter and foldable, and they are significantly cheaper. So, if budget is a concern and you don't need wireless features or active noise cancellation, the M50x is a great choice. However, if you're looking for advanced features, wireless connectivity, and can invest in a premium product, the Audeze Maxwell is the way to 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 Audeze Maxwell
- 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 M50x
- The Audio Technica M50x has no clear advantages over the Audeze Maxwell.
Key differences
Gaming
9.0
6.3
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for gaming, while the Audio Technica M50x is only fair.
Phone Calls
8.7
4.4
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.4
7.0
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica M50x is good.
TV and Video
8.9
7.8
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for TV and video, while the Audio Technica M50x is good.
Noise Reduction
6.0
5.3
The Audeze Maxwell is only fair for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.
Battery
78.0 Hours
N/A
The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life. The Audio Technica M50x does not have a battery.
Cost
$299
$149
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze Maxwell has a price of $299 and the Audio Technica M50x costs $149.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Audeze Maxwell has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica M50x has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.4
8.5
The Audio Technica M50x and Audeze Maxwell are both very good for music.
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How the Audeze Maxwell and the Audio Technica M50x compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze Maxwell | Audio Technica M50x |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$299 | $149 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | Audio Technica | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | January 1, 2007 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.4/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.7/10 | 4.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.1/10 | 6.3/10 | |
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 | 5.3/10 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 498.9 Grams | 294.8 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 M50x
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Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | October 2022
"Good sound is timeless. It doesn’t matter that a number of years have passed since the ATH-M50x came out because it still works well. Since this wired headset doesn’t rely on batteries or Bluetooth technology, it’s bound to outlast its wireless counterparts. The no-nonsense performance, fit, and comfort of the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x make it worth picking up."
Get a great deal on the Audeze Maxwell or the Audio Technica M50x
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
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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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