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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 superior sound quality and noise-cancellation for an immersive audio experience, ideal for audiophiles and those in noisy environments, but its higher cost reflects its premium features. The Google Pixel Buds A Series, on the other hand, offer good sound for everyday use at a more affordable price, and their compact, wireless design is great for an active lifestyle or if you prefer less bulk. Consider the Audeze Maxwell if audio quality and noise isolation are top priorities and you're willing to invest, or choose the Pixel Buds if you want a budget-friendly, convenient option for on-the-go listening. 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
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Google Pixel Buds A Series
- Good for exercise
Key differences
Music
8.4
6.4
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for music, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.4
8.4
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good.
TV and Video
8.9
7.8
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for TV and video, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is good.
Noise Reduction
6.0
4.6
The Audeze Maxwell is only fair for noise reduction, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is poor.
Battery
78.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life. The Google Pixel Buds A Series has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$299
$58
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze Maxwell has a price of $299 and the Google Pixel Buds A Series costs $58.
Build Quality
9.0
7.4
The Audeze Maxwell has excellent build quality, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
9.0
8.6
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Audeze Maxwell to be excellent for gaming, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good.
Phone Calls
8.7
8.5
The Audeze Maxwell and Google Pixel Buds A Series are both very good for phone calls.
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How the Audeze Maxwell and the Google Pixel Buds A Series compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze Maxwell | Google Pixel Buds A Series |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$299 | $58 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | ||
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 | 6.4/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.1/10 | 8.7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 7.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 78 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 4.6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 498.9 Grams | 5.1 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."
Google Pixel Buds A Series
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | October 2022
"For the person who doesn’t want to think about their earphones while using them, Google has created the Pixel Buds A-Series. For a reasonable price, Google packs in a bevy of features like touch controls and a good fit into this Android-friendly set of earbuds to make productivity and life easier."
Get a great deal on the Audeze Maxwell or the Google Pixel Buds A Series
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 Google
Mainly known as the most popular search engine on the planet, Google is a multinational technology company that also offers a variety of audio-oriented products. Beside their smart speakers under the Nest product line, Google offers several models of true wireless earbuds under the Pixel line, some of which happen to be an affordable but very powerful option for those already in the Android ecosystem.
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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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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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