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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize wireless convenience and versatility for calls and gaming with good built-in controls, the Audeze Maxwell is a solid choice, especially as they are more affordable. Being closed-back, they offer moderate noise isolation and are suitable for different environments. In contrast, the HifiMan Arya Stealth, while pricier, provides a superior open-back listening experience with exceptional sound quality and soundstage, ideal for critical listening and music enjoyment at home. However, they lack wireless capability and built-in microphone, making them less versatile for various uses like calls and not as convenient for on-the-go scenarios. 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 gaming
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the HifiMan Arya Stealth
- Best in class for music
- Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Music
8.4
10.0
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is best in class for music, while the Audeze Maxwell is very good.
Gaming
9.0
7.1
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for gaming, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is good.
Phone Calls
8.7
5.1
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for phone calls, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.4
8.1
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is very good.
TV and Video
8.9
9.4
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is excellent for TV and video, while the Audeze Maxwell is very good.
Noise Reduction
6.0
2.5
The Audeze Maxwell is only fair for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is poor.
Battery
78.0 Hours
N/A
The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life. The HifiMan Arya Stealth does not have a battery.
Cost
$299
$649
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze Maxwell has a price of $299 and the HifiMan Arya Stealth costs $649.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Audeze Maxwell and HifiMan Arya Stealth both have excellent build quality.
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How the Audeze Maxwell and the HifiMan Arya Stealth compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze Maxwell | HifiMan Arya Stealth |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$299 | $649 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | November 1, 2018 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.4/10 | 10/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.7/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.1/10 | 7.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 78 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 498.9 Grams | 408.2 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | N/A | |
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."
HifiMan Arya Stealth
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Headphonesty
Eric D Hieger | October 2022
"The Arya can easily be end-game headphones for 99% of consumers, satisfying most audio desires. Priced well above USD$1000, the Arya are obviously and gloriously not for the mass market consumer; they are designed and built by enthusiasts for enthusiasts – especially those who view their expenses on this level of gear as investments."
Get a great deal on the Audeze Maxwell or the HifiMan Arya Stealth
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 HifiMan
HiFiMAN is a Chinese, high-end, audio product manufacturer, with 20 years of experience, that specializes in amplifiers, digital audio players and planar magnetic headphones, some of which have become a staple in the audiophile community such as the entry-level Sundara, the midrange Edition X, and the very well-regarded, high-end, Arya.
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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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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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