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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
Choosing between the Audeze Maxwell and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones depends on your preferences and needs. If immersive gaming is important to you and you prefer a boom microphone for clearer communication, the Audeze Maxwell excels in these areas. Additionally, if long battery life is a priority, they offer an extensive playback time. However, they are considerably heavier than the Bose option, which may impact comfort during extended use. On the other hand, if you want headphones optimized for air travel with best-in-class noise cancellation and are lighter for increased comfort, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are superior. They are also more convenient for those with an active lifestyle due to wireless charging and sweat resistance, but their battery life is significantly shorter than the Audeze options. Consider your primary activities—like gaming, flying, exercise, or just listening to music—and let those guide your decision. 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 podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones
- Excellent for TV and video
- Best in class for air travel
Key differences
Phone Calls
8.7
5.3
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for phone calls, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.4
6.0
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is only fair.
Noise Reduction
6.0
9.1
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is excellent for noise reduction, while the Audeze Maxwell is only fair.
Battery
78.0 Hours
29.0 Hours
The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life. The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones has 29 hours of battery life.
Cost
$299
$429
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze Maxwell has a price of $299 and the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones costs $429.
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Key similarities
Music
8.4
8.3
The Audeze Maxwell and Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones are both very good for music.
Gaming
9.0
9.3
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones and Audeze Maxwell are both excellent for gaming.
TV and Video
8.9
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones to be excellent for TV and video, while the Audeze Maxwell is very good.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Audeze Maxwell and Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones both have excellent build quality.
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How the Audeze Maxwell and the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze Maxwell | Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$299 | $429 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | Bose | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | November 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.4/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.7/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.1/10 | 9.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 78 Hours | 29 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.3 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 9.1/10 | |
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 | 7.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 498.9 Grams | 255 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."
Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones
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Dig into reviews and images
SoundGuys
Christian Thomas | January 2024
"The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are a credible step up from previous Bose ANC headphones, and they're built to hang tough with the competition for years into the future. No waterproofing is a bit of a letdown, but these headphones have the technical chops to make most quite happy."
Get a great deal on the Audeze Maxwell or the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones
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 Bose
Bose is an American audio equipment manufacturer based out of Framingham, Massachusetts. Founded in 1964 by Amar Bose with the goal of creating a speaker system that could accurately recreate the sound of a concert hall, Bose has become one of the most prominent players in the modern consumer audio market due to the premium feel of their products and their wide brand recognition.
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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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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