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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audeze Maxwell headphones are a premium option, delivering better overall sound quality, a more immersive gaming, and TV/video watching experience. They also have superior build quality, longer battery life, and come with a boom mic which can be advantageous for calls and meetings. However, their weight is significantly more than the Sony WF1000XM3 earbuds, and they are less portable. The Sony WF1000XM3s are more suitable for air travel, provide better noise isolation, and offer features such as an app equalizer and app controls customization. If budget is a concern, the Sony earbuds are less expensive and offer solid performance for music, calls, and everyday use. 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
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM3
- The Sony WF1000XM3 has no clear advantages over the Audeze Maxwell.
Key differences
Music
8.4
7.5
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for music, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is good.
Gaming
9.0
5.6
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.4
8.7
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is very good.
TV and Video
8.9
5.7
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Audeze Maxwell is only fair.
Battery
78.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM3 has 6 hours of battery life.
Cost
$299
$180
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze Maxwell has a price of $299 and the Sony WF1000XM3 costs $180.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
8.7
8.2
The Audeze Maxwell and Sony WF1000XM3 are both very good for phone calls.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Audeze Maxwell and Sony WF1000XM3 both have excellent build quality.
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How the Audeze Maxwell and the Sony WF1000XM3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze Maxwell | Sony WF1000XM3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$299 | $180 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | August 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.1/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 78 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 498.9 Grams | 9 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."
Sony WF1000XM3
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Sound Guys
Lily Katz | November 2022
"Wireless earbuds are a dime a dozen, and the Sony WF-1000XM3 makes it easy to justify the cost. The design and comfort are good, and the connection strength is consistent. While the lack of aptX or LDAC support is a big drawback, DSEE HX processing improves low-quality audio files. If you want stylish active noise canceling (ANC) earbuds, the WF-1000XM3 needs to be at the top of your list."
Get a great deal on the Audeze Maxwell or the Sony WF1000XM3
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 Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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