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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a long battery life and a built-in boom microphone for superior call quality, the Audeze Maxwell headphones with their extensive battery life and mic quality are an excellent choice, particularly for gaming and watching TV due to their high scores in those specific use cases. On the other hand, the Grado GT220 earbuds are more portable and offer wireless charging, which is convenient for on-the-go use. Despite being slightly less expensive, they might not match the Maxwell's performance in calls and gaming. If your preference leans towards a light, easy-to-carry option for casual listening and exercise, the GT220 could suit you well. Both offer similar overall sound quality, so your decision should be guided by these specific needs and preferences. 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
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Grado GT220
- The Grado GT220 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 Grado GT220 is only fair.
Gaming
9.0
5.1
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for gaming, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Phone Calls
8.7
6.9
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for phone calls, while the Grado GT220 is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.4
8.8
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Grado GT220 is very good.
TV and Video
8.9
5.5
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for TV and video, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
5.3
The Audeze Maxwell is only fair for noise reduction, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Battery
78.0 Hours
5.5 Hours
The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life. The Grado GT220 has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$299
$259
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze Maxwell has a price of $299 and the Grado GT220 costs $259.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
9.0
8.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Audeze Maxwell to have excellent build quality, while the Grado GT220 has very good build quality.
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How the Audeze Maxwell and the Grado GT220 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze Maxwell | Grado GT220 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$299 | $259 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | Grado | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | September 1, 2020 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.1/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 78 Hours | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 36 | |
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 | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
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 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
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."
Grado GT220
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Alex Schiffer | October 2020
"With its superb and functional interface and its highly satisfying imaging, Grado has shown a new talent for delivering a solid true wireless system, and with future improvements, has the potential to really be one of the best."
Get a great deal on the Audeze Maxwell or the Grado GT220
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 Grado
Grado Labs is a small, family-owned, business based in Brooklyn New York that specializes in high-end, boutique, dynamic headphones and turntable cartridges. They boast a particular house sound, that is to say their products have a particular sound signature unique to Grado, that some audiophiles seem to really like and are unable to find anywhere else. Their high-end headphones are all hand made, completely in house, from a variety of exotic woods and materials going so far as to making one of their most popular products out of hemp.
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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.
By the numbers
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Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
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Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
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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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