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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
When choosing between the Audeze Maxwell and the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick, consider the following tradeoffs: The Audeze Maxwell offers superior sound quality with its planar magnetic drivers and is better for immersive listening experiences, yet it is much more expensive. With a dongle connection and high-quality microphone, it is also more suitable for professional use and gaming due to lower latency. On the other hand, the "Nothing" Ear Stick has a more portable design with its stemmed earbuds, is significantly less expensive, and has a low latency mode, which can still be suitable for casual gaming and listening. However, its open design may let in more ambient noise, possibly making it less ideal for noisy environments. 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
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick
- The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick has no clear advantages over the Audeze Maxwell.
Key differences
Music
8.4
6.1
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for music, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is only fair.
Gaming
9.0
8.1
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for gaming, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.4
8.4
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good.
TV and Video
8.9
7.5
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for TV and video, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is good.
Noise Reduction
6.0
2.5
The Audeze Maxwell is only fair for noise reduction, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is poor.
Battery
78.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life. The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$299
$108
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze Maxwell has a price of $299 and the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick costs $108.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
8.7
8.6
The Audeze Maxwell and "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick are both very good for phone calls.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Audeze Maxwell and "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick both have excellent build quality.
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How the Audeze Maxwell and the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze Maxwell | "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$299 | $108 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | "Nothing" Brand | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | November 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.4/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.7/10 | 8.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.1/10 | 8.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 78 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 22 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 2.5/10 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
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 Stick
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | December 2022
"If the Ear (stick) fits your ears, its light weight means you can easily wear it until the unimpressive battery life totally drains. The IP54 rating of the buds lends some confidence that it’ll survive some light abuse too. Finally, for the person who only wears earbuds at their desk, the Nothing Ear (stick) with its decent microphone could offer a reasonable Zoom meeting solution."
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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.
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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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
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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.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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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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