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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, and its over-ear form factor might be more comfortable for long listening sessions. It also has a better microphone, is well-suited for gaming and watching TV due to low latency, and has a long battery life. These headphones, however, are heavier, bulkier, and more expensive. On the other hand, the Moondrop Nekocake is lightweight, highly portable, and friendly on the budget. They offer good noise isolation despite their in-ear design, are sweatproof, making them suitable for exercise and have an app equalizer for sound customization. They fall short in sound quality for critical listening and have a shorter battery life, but they may be a better choice if you prioritize convenience and cost. 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
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Moondrop Nekocake
- The Moondrop Nekocake has no clear advantages over the Audeze Maxwell.
Key differences
Music
8.4
5.7
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for music, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Gaming
9.0
4.6
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for gaming, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Phone Calls
8.7
6.1
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for phone calls, while the Moondrop Nekocake is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.4
7.7
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Moondrop Nekocake is good.
TV and Video
8.9
5.0
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for TV and video, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
7.0
The Moondrop Nekocake is good for noise reduction, while the Audeze Maxwell is only fair.
Battery
78.0 Hours
3.0 Hours
The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life. The Moondrop Nekocake has 3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$299
$39
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Audeze Maxwell has a price of $299 and the Moondrop Nekocake costs $39.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Audeze Maxwell has excellent build quality, while the Moondrop Nekocake has very good build quality.
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How the Audeze Maxwell and the Moondrop Nekocake compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze Maxwell | Moondrop Nekocake |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$299 | $39 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | Moondrop | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | October 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.4/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.7/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.1/10 | 4.7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 5.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 78 Hours | 3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 12 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 498.9 Grams | 5.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Integrated | |
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."
Moondrop Nekocake
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Headphonics
Jarvin | January 2022
"What sets the Nekocake apart from its competition at this price point is the Moondrop Link app that allows the user to change the tonal balance of the Nekocake. This makes sure that it’s versatile enough to suit different sonic preferences while allowing some customization of controls."
Get a great deal on the Audeze Maxwell or the Moondrop Nekocake
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 Moondrop
Moondrop is a Chinese brand of smart audio equipment, portable audio players, earbuds and headphones started in 2015. During the last few years they have become one of the major players in what is lovingly referred to as the Chi-fi market, the bulk of Chinese companies that have managed to actually compete with the western manufacturers in both prices and superior quality. Products such as the Blessing II, Chu and Kato are among the most popular offerings of the brand, more popular among those users that wish for good quality audio that won't break the bank. Besides audio, the brand also works in what they call the ACGN field (Animation, Comics, Games and Short Novels).
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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
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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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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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