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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audeze Maxwell offers superior overall sound quality, gaming experience, and TV and video experience, with additional benefits like wireless connectivity and long battery life; however, they come at a premium price. By contrast, the HyperX Cloud II, while much less expensive, excels in comfort, mic quality, and is known for a good podcast experience. While the Cloud II lacks wireless capabilities and advanced codecs, it's a strong contender if you're looking for a budget-friendly option with reliable performance for calls and meetings, or listening to spoken word content. If you prioritize game immersion and wireless convenience without budget constraints, go for the Audeze Maxwell; for comfort and value at a lower cost, consider the HyperX Cloud II. 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 HyperX Cloud II
- The HyperX Cloud II has no clear advantages over the Audeze Maxwell.
Key differences
Music
8.4
7.7
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for music, while the HyperX Cloud II is good.
Phone Calls
8.7
7.5
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for phone calls, while the HyperX Cloud II is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.4
7.0
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the HyperX Cloud II is good.
TV and Video
8.9
7.6
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for TV and video, while the HyperX Cloud II is good.
Battery
78.0 Hours
N/A
The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life. The HyperX Cloud II does not have a battery.
Cost
$299
$93
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze Maxwell has a price of $299 and the HyperX Cloud II costs $93.
Build Quality
9.0
10.0
The HyperX Cloud II has best in class build quality, while the Audeze Maxwell has excellent 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 HyperX Cloud II is very good.
Noise Reduction
6.0
6.0
The Audeze Maxwell and HyperX Cloud II are both only fair for noise reduction.
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How the Audeze Maxwell and the HyperX Cloud II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze Maxwell | HyperX Cloud II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$299 | $93 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | HyperX | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | January 1, 2015 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.4/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.7/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.1/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 4.3/10 | |
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 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8/10 | 10/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 10/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 498.9 Grams | 317.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Boom | |
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."
HyperX Cloud II
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Headphonesty
Rhys McIntyre | December 2022
"My overall impression of the HyperX Cloud II gaming headset is overwhelmingly positive. In my opinion, this is one of the best mid-priced gaming headsets currently on the market.Solid sound quality, superior comfort, and a sleek, lightweight design – this headset delivers all of the important aspects that a gaming headset should."
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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 HyperX
Starting originally as a high-performance and gaming line of memory modules within Kingston and later acquired by HP, HyperX is a dedicated esports and gaming division focused on developing peripherals, microphones and headsets. Providing budget-friendly, comfortable and highly functional products, HyperX has become the go-to for many gamers around the world, resulting in sales of over 20 million headsets throughout the years.
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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
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.
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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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