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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audeze Maxwell offers superior overall sound quality, better soundstage, higher comfort, and excellent microphone quality which makes them suitable for music, calls, gaming, and watching TV or videos. However, their higher price and heavier build might not be ideal for exercise or extended travel. Meanwhile, the Beats Solo 3 are more budget-friendly and have a lighter design, which can be beneficial for portability and exercise, but they do not match the Maxwell’s performance in sound quality or comfort. Both have an over-ear closed design and provide decent noise isolation, but neither is sweatproof or dustproof. If your priority is sound quality and you're okay with the investment, the Maxwell is likely to satisfy, while for casual use or when on a budget, the Beats Solo 3 could suffice. 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 Beats Solo 3
- The Beats Solo 3 has no clear advantages over the Audeze Maxwell.
Key differences
Music
8.4
6.3
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for music, while the Beats Solo 3 is only fair.
Gaming
9.0
5.3
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for gaming, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Phone Calls
8.7
4.7
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for phone calls, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.4
5.8
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
TV and Video
8.9
5.6
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for TV and video, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
5.3
The Audeze Maxwell is only fair for noise reduction, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Battery
78.0 Hours
41.5 Hours
The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life. The Beats Solo 3 has 41.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$299
$117
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze Maxwell has a price of $299 and the Beats Solo 3 costs $117.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Audeze Maxwell has excellent build quality, while the Beats Solo 3 has very good build quality.
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How the Audeze Maxwell and the Beats Solo 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze Maxwell | Beats Solo 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$299 | $117 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | Beats | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | October 1, 2016 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.4/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.7/10 | 4.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.1/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 5.9/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 78 Hours | 41.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 4.2 | |
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 | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 498.9 Grams | 213.1 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Integrated | |
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."
Beats Solo 3
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | May 2023
"The Beats Solo3 Wireless is an old set of headphones but still works reliably well with iPhones, due to W1 chip integration and AAC support. The Beats Solo3 Wireless holds up well today with just a few features showing its age."
Get a great deal on the Audeze Maxwell or the Beats Solo 3
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 Beats
Beats is an American, consumer-focused, audio products manufacturer. Founded originally by American rapper and producer Dr Dre, the company is now a subsidiary of Apple. Beats sells a wide range of audio products, including several models of headphones, earbuds and speakers as well as full car audio systems.
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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.
Luis Torres
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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