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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prefer wireless connectivity and plan to use your headphones for gaming or TV watching, the Audeze Maxwell is the better choice due to its low latency and superior built-in controls. However, if you're looking for a more immersive music listening experience at a lower price, and don't mind a wired connection, the Philips Fidelio X2HR with their open-back design and higher overall sound quality might be more suitable for you. Keep in mind that the Audeze Maxwell also comes with a microphone and active noise cancelling, which the Philips lacks, making them more versatile for calls and travel. 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 phone calls
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Philips Fidelio X2HR
- Excellent for music
Key differences
Music
8.4
9.3
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is excellent for music, while the Audeze Maxwell is very good.
Gaming
9.0
7.0
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for gaming, while the Philips Fidelio X2HR is good.
Phone Calls
8.7
5.0
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for phone calls, while the Philips Fidelio X2HR is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.4
7.9
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Philips Fidelio X2HR is good.
Noise Reduction
6.0
2.5
The Audeze Maxwell is only fair for noise reduction, while the Philips Fidelio X2HR is poor.
Battery
78.0 Hours
N/A
The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life. The Philips Fidelio X2HR does not have a battery.
Cost
$299
$148
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze Maxwell has a price of $299 and the Philips Fidelio X2HR costs $148.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
8.9
8.8
The Audeze Maxwell and Philips Fidelio X2HR are both very good for TV and video.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Audeze Maxwell and Philips Fidelio X2HR both have excellent build quality.
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How the Audeze Maxwell and the Philips Fidelio X2HR compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze Maxwell | Philips Fidelio X2HR |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$299 | $148 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | Philips | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | September 1, 2014 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.4/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.7/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.1/10 | 7.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 4.5/10 | |
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 | 2.5/10 | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 498.9 Grams | 390 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | N/A | |
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."
Philips Fidelio X2HR
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Liquid Audio
Stefan | May 2022
"This piece is a fantastic option for music lovers searching for premium sound and a snug fit. You should get these headphones if you care about sound quality and want to hear music in a new light. This technology is a great option for high-quality headphones with superb sound reproduction."
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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 Philips
Philips is a Dutch conglomerate and electronics manufacturer with over 130 years of history. Philips makes the Fidelio audio line which includes several models of full-sized wired and wireless headphones, true wireless earbuds. soundbars and wireless speakers.
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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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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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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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