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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality and battery life for extensive use without frequent recharging, and require a headphone suitable for gaming due to high scores in gaming and TV/video performance, the Audeze Maxwell is a strong choice, though it comes with a premium price tag. They offer planar magnetic drivers, longer battery life, and are equipped with a boom microphone, which can benefit calls and in-game communications. On the other hand, if you value portability, active noise canceling, and wireless charging, with a more affordable price, the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ could be more suitable for you. They also offer better suited features for exercise and are optimized for both Android and Apple devices. Consider that the Beoplay EQ are earbuds with stemless design which might provide a different comfort experience compared to the over-ear Maxwell. 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
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ
- The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ has no clear advantages over the Audeze Maxwell.
Key differences
Music
8.4
6.8
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for music, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is only fair.
Gaming
9.0
8.4
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for gaming, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is very good.
Phone Calls
8.7
7.2
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for phone calls, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.4
8.8
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is very good.
TV and Video
8.9
7.8
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for TV and video, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is good.
Noise Reduction
6.0
7.0
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is good for noise reduction, while the Audeze Maxwell is only fair.
Battery
78.0 Hours
6.5 Hours
The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life. The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ has 6.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$299
$176
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze Maxwell has a price of $299 and the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ costs $176.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
9.0
8.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Audeze Maxwell to have excellent build quality, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ has very good build quality.
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How the Audeze Maxwell and the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze Maxwell | Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$299 | $176 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | Bang and Olufsen | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | August 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.4/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.7/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.1/10 | 8.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 78 Hours | 6.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 20 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 498.9 Grams | 8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Integrated | |
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."
Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Tim Gideon | March 2022
"Bang & Olufsen’s audio products prioritize style and function just as much as sound quality. The company’s latest Beoplay EQ noise-cancelling true wireless earphones combine strong, accurate-leaning audio with solid noise cancellation in an exceedingly classy design."
Get a great deal on the Audeze Maxwell or the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ
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 Bang and Olufsen
Bang and Olufsen is an almost century-old electronic goods manufacturer based in Denmark with a very special focus on design. Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen created the first AC radio in 1925 and went on to develop televisions, telephones and, of course, headphones and loudspeakers. Today, they are partnered with several companies, like Audi, BMW and Aston Martin, to provide very high-quality audio solutions.
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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
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
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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