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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between Audeze Maxwell and Skullcandy Dime 2 comes down to your preferences and what you value most. If audio quality, build, and features like active noise cancelling are top priorities and you don't mind spending more, the Audeze Maxwell are over-ear headphones that offer these with a premium price tag. In contrast, the Skullcandy Dime 2 earbuds are much more affordable and portable with decent sound quality for casual listening, but lack some of the high-end features and audio fidelity of the Audeze Maxwell. If you're on a budget and need something compact for everyday use, the Skullcandy Dime 2 would be suitable, whereas if you're seeking the best listening experience and can invest more, the Audeze Maxwell is the way to go. 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 Skullcandy Dime 2
- The Skullcandy Dime 2 has no clear advantages over the Audeze Maxwell.
Key differences
Music
8.4
6.0
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for music, while the Skullcandy Dime 2 is only fair.
Gaming
9.0
4.7
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for gaming, while the Skullcandy Dime 2 is poor.
Phone Calls
8.7
4.8
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for phone calls, while the Skullcandy Dime 2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.4
5.2
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Skullcandy Dime 2 is poor.
TV and Video
8.9
5.1
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for TV and video, while the Skullcandy Dime 2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
6.5
The Skullcandy Dime 2 and Audeze Maxwell are both only fair for noise reduction, though the Skullcandy Dime 2 is somewhat better.
Battery
78.0 Hours
3.0 Hours
The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life. The Skullcandy Dime 2 has 3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$299
$30
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Audeze Maxwell has a price of $299 and the Skullcandy Dime 2 costs $30.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Audeze Maxwell has excellent build quality, while the Skullcandy Dime 2 has very good build quality.
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How the Audeze Maxwell and the Skullcandy Dime 2 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze Maxwell | Skullcandy Dime 2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$299 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | Skullcandy | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | February 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.4/10 | 6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.7/10 | 4.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.1/10 | 4.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 6.8/10 | |
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 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 8.5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8/10 | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 498.9 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Integrated | |
Shopping
Audeze Maxwell
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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."
Skullcandy Dime 2
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Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | March 2022
"With the low price, it’s a low-risk investment. The Dime 2 is a decent set of backup buds for those times when you don’t want to risk your more upscale buds. If it weren’t for the lackluster battery life, I’d say everyone should have a pair as a spare for music."
Get a great deal on the Audeze Maxwell or the Skullcandy Dime 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.
About Skullcandy
Skullcandy is an American, consumer-oriented, earbuds and headphones manufacturer with 20 years of market experience. They sell a wide variety of, budget-friendly and unique, wired and wireless products that are sure to please the vast majority of users. Among their most popular offerings, the Crusher headphones, includes a pair of actual subwoofers inside the cups which makes the bass extra prominent for a unique and extra fun sound.
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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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