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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If immersive sound quality and versatility for different use cases are priorities, consider the Audeze Maxwell as they offer an impressive overall sound quality with a better score for gaming and watching TV due to lower latency connection options with a dongle. They also have active noise cancelling for a quieter listening experience and longer battery life. However, they are heavier and might not be as comfortable as the HifiMan Sundara for extended use. The HifiMan Sundaras, with their open-back design, boast a more expansive soundstage for a more natural listening experience, particularly for music, and they are lighter, but lack a built-in microphone and active noise cancelling, making them less suitable for noisy environments or conference calls. 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 Sundara
- Excellent for music
Key differences
Music
8.4
9.3
The HifiMan Sundara is excellent for music, while the Audeze Maxwell is very good.
Gaming
9.0
7.2
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for gaming, while the HifiMan Sundara is good.
Phone Calls
8.7
4.9
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for phone calls, while the HifiMan Sundara is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.4
7.8
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the HifiMan Sundara is good.
Noise Reduction
6.0
2.5
The Audeze Maxwell is only fair for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Sundara is poor.
Battery
78.0 Hours
N/A
The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life. The HifiMan Sundara does not have a battery.
Cost
$299
$279
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze Maxwell has a price of $299 and the HifiMan Sundara costs $279.
Build Quality
9.0
8.2
The Audeze Maxwell has excellent build quality, while the HifiMan Sundara has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
8.9
8.8
The Audeze Maxwell and HifiMan Sundara are both very good for TV and video.
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How the Audeze Maxwell and the HifiMan Sundara compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze Maxwell | HifiMan Sundara |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$299 | $279 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | May 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.4/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.7/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.1/10 | 7.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 8.8/10 | |
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 | 8.2/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 498.9 Grams | 394.6 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 Sundara
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | July 2023
"The HiFiMan Sundara is the set of headphones to get if you want high-end audio, but don't want to shell out a king's ransom for it. These planar magnetic headphones are comfortable, straightforward, and excellent performers."
Get a great deal on the Audeze Maxwell or the HifiMan Sundara
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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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.
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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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