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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for high-quality audio for a variety of content like music, calls, gaming, and TV, the Audeze Maxwell headphones may offer better overall sound quality and are especially suited for home or studio use due to their weight and size. They come with a higher price tag and include features such as active noise canceling, a boom microphone, and planar magnetic drivers, which are generally praised for their accuracy and detail. On the other hand, the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) earbuds are significantly more affordable, offer good sound quality, and have the advantage of being portable, dust and water-resistant, making them ideal for use during exercise and travel. They also support wireless charging, adding convenience, but might not match the sound immersion and depth offered by the Audeze Maxwell. 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
Advantages of the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
- Good for exercise
Key differences
Music
8.4
7.0
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for music, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is good.
Gaming
9.0
8.5
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for gaming, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is very good.
Phone Calls
8.7
7.9
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for phone calls, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is good.
TV and Video
8.9
8.0
The Audeze Maxwell and "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) are both very good for TV and video, though the Audeze Maxwell is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
6.0
8.0
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is very good for noise reduction, while the Audeze Maxwell is only fair.
Battery
78.0 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life. The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$299
$149
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze Maxwell has a price of $299 and the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) costs $149.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.4
9.1
The Audeze Maxwell and "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) are both excellent for podcasts and audiobooks.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Audeze Maxwell and "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) both have excellent build quality.
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How the Audeze Maxwell and the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze Maxwell | "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$299 | $149 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | "Nothing" Brand | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | March 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.4/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.7/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.1/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 7.9/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 78 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.3. | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 30 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 8/10 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 498.9 Grams | 4.4 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."
"Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | March 2023
"For the price the Nothing Ear (2) is pretty good. It fits well, and the IP54 rating (and IP55 with case) is durable enough for daily life. Most of its unique features are found in the Nothing X app, such as personalized frequency responses, and personalized, adjustable ANC."
Get a great deal on the Audeze Maxwell or the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
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.
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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
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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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