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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audeze Maxwell offers a more versatile experience with wireless functionality, built-in controls, and active noise cancelling which the HifiMan Edition XS lacks, making the Maxwell better suited for varied environments and convenience in everyday use. The Maxwell also features a microphone, superior battery life, and bonus features such as app equalization and audio controls. However, if you prioritize sound quality above all and mainly plan to use your headphones in quiet settings like at home, the HifiMan Edition XS provides a superior listening experience with its higher sound quality score and top-rated soundstage. It's important to note that while the Maxwell is better for calls, meetings, and has a longer battery life, the Edition XS may be more suitable for critical listening due to its open design, which typically offers a more natural sound but with less noise isolation. Keep in mind the Edition XS lacks a microphone and any wireless capabilities, limiting its functionality for on-the-go usage. 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 Edition XS
- Best in class for TV and video
Key differences
Gaming
9.0
7.4
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for gaming, while the HifiMan Edition XS is good.
Phone Calls
8.7
5.0
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for phone calls, while the HifiMan Edition XS is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.4
7.9
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the HifiMan Edition XS is good.
TV and Video
8.9
9.5
The HifiMan Edition XS is best in class 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 Edition XS is poor.
Battery
78.0 Hours
N/A
The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life. The HifiMan Edition XS does not have a battery.
Cost
$299
$269
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze Maxwell has a price of $299 and the HifiMan Edition XS costs $269.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Audeze Maxwell has excellent build quality, while the HifiMan Edition XS has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.4
8.8
The HifiMan Edition XS and Audeze Maxwell are both very good for music.
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How the Audeze Maxwell and the HifiMan Edition XS compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze Maxwell | HifiMan Edition XS |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$299 | $269 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | December 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.4/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.7/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.1/10 | 7.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 4.4/10 | |
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 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 498.9 Grams | 421 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audeze Maxwell
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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 Edition XS
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Headphonesty
Eric D Hieger | January 2023
"The Edition XS easily compete with headphones in their price range with a very high price-to-performance ratio. The XS are an amazing value and offer performance not far off from headphones more than twice their cost. These will be a mind-blowing revelation for enthusiasts and music lovers who have only heard standard big-brand mainstream headphones."
Get a great deal on the Audeze Maxwell or the HifiMan Edition XS
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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