A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Maxwell
Company ProductName Specs




ZSN Pro (with Mic)
Company ProductName Specs




What we think

Chevron down
PerfectRec Logo
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·

The Audeze Maxwell headphones are a premium choice, offering better overall sound quality, comfort, and build quality, with additional features like a microphone that performs well for calls, an app for customization, wireless and wired options, and low latency suitable for gaming and watching TV. They also provide excellent battery life and noise isolation but are heavier and less portable. On the other hand, the KZ ZSN Pro earbuds are a budget-friendly option, they have a detachable cable, and are more portable and lightweight. However, they lack wireless capability, have no active noise canceling, and their microphone and sound quality, while good, are not as highly rated as the Maxwell's. If cost is a concern and you prefer a lighter, more portable option for casual listening and occasional calls, the KZ ZSN Pro may be suitable. Conversely, if you're seeking a high-fidelity audio experience with robust features for a variety of uses, including gaming and TV, and don't mind the higher price and bulkiness, the Audeze Maxwell is a better fit. 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 KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic)
  • The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) has no clear advantages over the Audeze Maxwell.

Key differences

Chevron down

Music

8.4
Maxwell
ZSN Pro (with Mic)
7.7
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for music, while the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is good.

Gaming

9.0
Maxwell
ZSN Pro (with Mic)
8.0
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for gaming, while the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is very good.

Phone Calls

8.7
Maxwell
ZSN Pro (with Mic)
5.1
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for phone calls, while the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is poor.

Podcasts and Audiobooks

9.4
Maxwell
ZSN Pro (with Mic)
4.9
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is poor.

TV and Video

8.9
Maxwell
ZSN Pro (with Mic)
7.4
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for TV and video, while the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is good.

Noise Reduction

6.0
Maxwell
ZSN Pro (with Mic)
5.3
The Audeze Maxwell is only fair for noise reduction, while the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is poor.

Battery

78.0 Hours
Maxwell
ZSN Pro (with Mic)
N/A
The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life. The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) does not have a battery.

Cost

$299
Maxwell
ZSN Pro (with Mic)
$24
Product image
Product image

$0

$100

$200

$300

$400

The Audeze Maxwell has a price of $299 and the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) costs $24.
Image of Earbuds & Headphones
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones

Key similarities

Chevron down

Build Quality

9.0
Maxwell
ZSN Pro (with Mic)
9.0
The Audeze Maxwell and KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) both have excellent build quality.

Give feedback

We’re constantly working to improve.

How the Audeze Maxwell and the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) compare to other earbuds and headphones

Chevron down

Spec Comparison

Chevron down
Audeze MaxwellKZ ZSN Pro (with Mic)
Audeze MaxwellKZ ZSN Pro (with Mic)

GENERAL

Price
$299
$24
Brand
AudezeKZ
Release Date
January 1, 2023March 1, 2019
Form Factor
HeadphonesEarbuds
Connectivity
Wired + WirelessWired

SOUND

Music Score
8.4/107.8/10
Phone Calls Score
8.7/105.1/10
Gaming Score
9.1/108/10
TV and Video Score
8.9/107.5/10
Exercise Score
6.3/104.3/10

PERFORMANCE

Battery life
78 HoursN/A
Wireless charging
NoN/A
Charging time
2 HoursN/A
Bluetooth version
5.3N/A

FEATURES

Active Noise Cancelling
NoNo
Noise Reduction Score
6/105.3/10
Android App
YesN/A
iOS App
YesN/A
Mic Quality
8/107/10

BUILD AND DESIGN

Build Quality
9/109/10
Comfort score
8/107.6/10
Size
N/ALarge
Weight (headset or single earbud)
498.9 Grams7 Grams
Microphone style
BoomIn-Line

Shopping

Chevron down

Audeze Maxwell

See more

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."

KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic)

See more

Dig into reviews and images

PrimeAudio

David Becker | 2019
"Undoubtedly the focus and the star of the show, the ZSN Pro’s bass is big, bold and bangin’. The amount of gusto in the low end should satisfy anyone who likes a large lick of bass and even certified bassheads will probably get a kick out of this."

Get a great deal on the Audeze Maxwell or the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic)

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.

Give feedback

We're constantly perfecting our model

Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in

Chevron down

FAQs

Chevron down

FAQs about earbuds and headphones

Questions about PerfectRec >

Why trust us

Chevron down
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

108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
95,000
Recommendations made
14,250
Consumer hours saved

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.

Featured in

Color LTT LogoGeekwire logo9to5 Mac logoPhone Arena LogoColor Daring Fireball logo