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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize high-quality audio for a variety of uses including music, gaming, and calls, the Audeze Maxwell is a strong choice with excellent build and sound quality, and it supports LDAC for high-resolution audio streaming. It has a long battery life and a detachable cable, which increases its versatility. However, it's heavier and less portable, making it less ideal for travel. In contrast, the Razer Kraken V3 offers good sound quality at a more affordable price, with a focus on gaming, thanks to its virtual surround feature. It lacks wireless connectivity and the premium build quality of the Maxwell, but if you're focused on gaming and okay with wires, it can be a cost-effective option. 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 Razer Kraken V3
- The Razer Kraken V3 has no clear advantages over the Audeze Maxwell.
Key differences
Music
8.4
7.3
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for music, while the Razer Kraken V3 is good.
Gaming
9.0
7.3
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for gaming, while the Razer Kraken V3 is good.
Phone Calls
8.7
5.0
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for phone calls, while the Razer Kraken V3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.4
4.7
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Razer Kraken V3 is poor.
TV and Video
8.9
7.0
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for TV and video, while the Razer Kraken V3 is good.
Battery
78.0 Hours
N/A
The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life. The Razer Kraken V3 does not have a battery.
Cost
$299
$100
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze Maxwell has a price of $299 and the Razer Kraken V3 costs $100.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Audeze Maxwell has excellent build quality, while the Razer Kraken V3 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
6.0
6.0
The Audeze Maxwell and Razer Kraken V3 are both only fair for noise reduction.
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How the Audeze Maxwell and the Razer Kraken V3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze Maxwell | Razer Kraken V3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$299 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | Razer | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | June 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.4/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.7/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.1/10 | 7.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 4.1/10 | |
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 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 498.9 Grams | 325 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Boom | |
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."
Razer Kraken V3
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Soundguys
Sam Smart | November 2022
"This Razer Kraken V3 is a great headset for gamers who want comfort, surround sound, and software customization for a reasonable price. It's primarily a headset for PC gamers since THX Spatial audio is only supported on Windows. If you want something more multifaceted for multiple systems, this won't be an ideal headset for you. Luckily, there are plenty of competent Kraken V3 alternatives available to you."
Get a great deal on the Audeze Maxwell or the Razer Kraken V3
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 Razer
Razer is an American-Singaporean hardware manufacturer aimed specifically toward the gaming market. They manufacture a very wide array of gaming laptops, tablets, phones, peripherals and, of course, headphones and earbuds both wired and wireless. Since 2016, Razer has owned the THX suite, aimed at quality assurance of audiovisual systems such as speaker sets, video game consoles and even movie theaters.
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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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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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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.
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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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