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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audeze Maxwell is better for gaming and TV/video due to its high scores in those categories, and also offers virtual surround and a boom mic, making it suitable for immersive experiences and clear communication. However, they are heavier and less portable than the Sony WF1000XM4. The Sony earbuds have superior noise isolation quality, better comfort, optimized app controls, and a significantly longer battery life with both earbuds and the case. The Sonys are also sweatproof and boast active noise cancelling, making them ideal for exercise and travel. If you're frequently on the move and need something with excellent noise cancellation, the Sony WF1000XM4 would be a better choice. However, if you're looking for a headphone with a focus on gaming, TV, and video with superior mic quality and the benefit of virtual surround, the Audeze Maxwell might be the right pick. 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 TV and video
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM4
- Excellent for music
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.4
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent for music, while the Audeze Maxwell is very good.
Gaming
9.0
5.6
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is poor.
Phone Calls
8.7
6.7
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for phone calls, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.4
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audeze Maxwell is excellent.
TV and Video
8.9
6.0
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
6.0
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM4 is very good for noise reduction, while the Audeze Maxwell is only fair.
Battery
78.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$299
$220
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze Maxwell has a price of $299 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
9.0
8.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Audeze Maxwell to have excellent build quality, while the Sony WF1000XM4 has very good build quality.
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How the Audeze Maxwell and the Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze Maxwell | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$299 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.7/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.1/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 6.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 78 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.2 | |
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 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 498.9 Grams | 6.5 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 WF1000XM4
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | March 2023
"The headphones deliver a satisfying user experience, class-leading battery life, some of the best noise-cancelling we’ve heard in this category, and absolutely stunning sound quality."
Get a great deal on the Audeze Maxwell or the Sony WF1000XM4
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.
By the numbers
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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
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
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.
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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