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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize top-notch sound quality and have a larger budget, the Audeze Maxwell, with its planar magnetic drivers, will offer a more detailed audio experience ideal for high-fidelity listening. However, if you're looking for a more affordable, compact, and workout-friendly option, the Beats Studiobuds, with their punchy bass and secure fit, could be the better choice. The Maxwell may also have better noise cancellation and overall build quality but at the cost of being larger and perhaps less convenient for on-the-go use compared to the lightweight and portable Studiobuds. 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
Advantages of the Beats Studiobuds
- Good for exercise
Key differences
Music
8.4
7.2
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for music, while the Beats Studiobuds is good.
Gaming
9.0
5.2
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for gaming, while the Beats Studiobuds is poor.
Phone Calls
8.7
7.0
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for phone calls, while the Beats Studiobuds is good.
TV and Video
8.9
5.6
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for TV and video, while the Beats Studiobuds is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
6.5
The Beats Studiobuds and Audeze Maxwell are both only fair for noise reduction, though the Beats Studiobuds is somewhat better.
Battery
78.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life. The Beats Studiobuds has 6 hours of battery life.
Cost
$299
$80
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze Maxwell has a price of $299 and the Beats Studiobuds costs $80.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.4
9.0
The Audeze Maxwell and Beats Studiobuds are both excellent for podcasts and audiobooks.
Build Quality
9.0
8.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Audeze Maxwell to have excellent build quality, while the Beats Studiobuds has very good build quality.
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How the Audeze Maxwell and the Beats Studiobuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze Maxwell | Beats Studiobuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$299 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | Beats | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | June 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.4/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.7/10 | 7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.1/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 78 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 0.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8/10 | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 498.9 Grams | 5 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."
Beats Studiobuds
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Chase Bernath | May 2023
"For less than the price of the AirPods, the Beats Studio Buds delivers a good fit, great sound, and active noise cancellation. This is also the first set of Apple-owned Beats earbuds to feature quick pairing with Android devices, albeit at the expense of some key features for Apple users."
Get a great deal on the Audeze Maxwell or the Beats Studiobuds
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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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.
By the numbers
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11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
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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.
Jason Lew
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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