Just to let you guys know that the problem with the old Actis Pro line’s earcup getting loose and eventually break… I think it’ll happen to the new Arcits Nova line as well… mine’s already getting kinda loose on one side and I take really good care of it….. Steel Series should have used metal parts instead of plastic… other than that it’s a rather perfect gaming headset.
For anyone worried or on the fence about the maxwell and it’s size. I have a fairly tall and big head, 7 3/4 hat. They fit me perfect on the middle setting of the strap. I was worried it might be to heavy, I don’t find it any heavier than any other high quality headset. I use WC freeze pads and the headset is insanely comfortable. It doesn’t feel heavy at all when holding it, just well built. I do have a pretty strong linebacker type neck but I can’t imagine it being too much for someone smaller. It honestly doesn’t feel “heavy” to me at all. Remember these weights are in grams so even a bigger number still isn’t heavy. It will feel heavier if you’re used to all plastic headsets but to me it just feels solid and well built. Should fit any head very comfortably and I played for 7 hours straight with no weight or neck issues. Hope this helps
Ask if the headset supports PS5 console and Xbox Series x. It didn't support can I have a special ups for Xbox and I can use Xbox with a PS5 if it doesn't support any of this it's not suitable for everyone
Reading that maxwell doesnt feel heavy seems hella buyest to me, its 490 grams... My orbits are 350g something and feels really heavy. But i might try them anyway tho to see myself. I hope you right, i want them so bad man
I don’t regret getting the Nova Pro Wireless, I have the same color wicked cushions and they are amazing. I can wear them all day, good sound & hot swappable battery life
Battery life on the Maxwell is 80 hours so there is no need of a 2nd battery and it charges in 20 minutes. Also the sound quality on the Maxwell is in another league. I've got both so i know the difference and its pretty big.
10:58 THANK YOU FOR SHOWING THAT! I've been asking myself if you can use the integrated mics as a "ghetto mic" on their own and you not only mentioned it, but showed how it sounds! That's HUGE for me for 2 reasons: 1. It actually sounds good and you don't have to rip the mic out and ram it back in sometimes countless times a day, often for little things... Now you flip a switch, use mic, turn switch back off... And if you're actually playing/talking for a while, THEN plug the mic in, perfect! 2. I ALWAYS misplace my mic, I've spent up to 15 minutes looking for it... 😀So this feature ALONE buys Audeze some HUGE brownie points with me, because that is the kind of thinking I appreciate! Can't wait to receive mine beginning next week!
Have to admit, didn't know your channel when I watched this and thought you were just someone fanboying for the Maxwells....and boy was a I wrong. Just got them in today, they are incredible and I agree with every one of your points in this video lol. These sound incredible. Thank you for the video!
Audeze just hit a home run to me and it's about time. I've been holding off on wireless headsets for 2 reasons. 1 is the lackluster battery life which is countered by SteelSeries and their swappable battery system and finally...hate to say it but it's not a SteelSeries product. No offense to SteelSeries as they make good products but their sound signature doesn't hit home with me and I'm not sure it ever will. The 20 min charge for all day play/ "80 hours" with a full charge finally takes the cake for me and now I can comfortably invest in a wireless set of cans now. Great coverage of this new headset techne and thank you :).
I had the Nova pro from October to January. They were great for the features and I like that they are light. However, I just got the Maxwells yesterday. The experience of the sound from these is so crisp it just makes it worth the switch alone. They are both good it just depends what you are looking for.
@@JoeyHerbertt I just can't ditch the Bluetooth/2.4ghz connection at the same time with interchangable batteries with great fps steroids and the supreme comfort
@@ButtersChannel Those are definitely good features. I was eyeing the Penrose back in 2020 and seeing the Maxwell come right after I bought the Nova Pro wireless I decided to use Amazons extended return window for the holidays. I miss some of the features of the Nova and it’s ease of use but don’t regret returning it and getting these. The Novas were way overhyped imo.
@@ButtersChannel interchangeables batteries are useless when you have 80+ hours, and the confort on the Nova Pro is not really supreme 😅 But yeah BT/2.4ghz is great
I am jealous. I have the Audeze LCD2C, blows both headsets in this episode out of the water, but it needs a dedicated amp and is open back. I really want the maxwell for Bluetooth en moments i need isolation of sound. BUT THEY ARE SOLD OUT EVERYWHERE in the Netherlands. Where did you order yours? You live in the States?
I owned ANPW for a week and had to return. The ANC bump is definitely a real thing, I ordered Wicked Cushions within 24 hours of ownership. Get the big ones not the mid-tier ones like I did -- I could still feel the bump a tiny bit. The reason I returned was actually the elastic headband design, I don't know why that is the trend to put those in right now but they are ALL bad. Since there is constant tension in the band (like a stretched rubber band) it's always trying to reach neutral. This means it's always squeezing your head and sliding forward until it falls off the front of your head -- unbelievably annoying. ANPW do sound good especially when you find the High Gain setting in the SS Software. The mids and highs are crispy and I found the drivers themselves to be quite high resolution. I would say the ANPW easily competes with audio-grade headphones (with amp) in the $150-200 range. It's impressive for a wireless and the amount of features they pack in.
80 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE.....SHEESH.... The Mobius had the best mic out of the hundreds of headsets i've tested....the Maxwell seems to have built on that and made it better.....i just wish they weren't as bulky😂 Great review buddy! hope all is well
I just purchased the nova pro wireless a few months ago and I couldn’t be happier and I hope to keep them for a long time but if something happens to them and I’m in the market for a new headset then I know what to get next now. The Audeze maxwell looks awesome!
Really enjoying my Arctis Nova Pro Wireless here, it has been my go to headset for pc uses now and I think it’s much better than the old Arctis Pro Wireless.
Just to let you know that the problem with the old pro wireless’ earcup getting loose… I think it’ll happen to the Arcits Nova line as well… mine’s already getting kinda loose on one side and I take really good care of it….. other than that it’s a rather perfect gaming headset.
@@morriswu3953 May I ask? How's the durability of the Arctis Nova pros?? Any say they break easily especially in the earcups bridge.. Do you have the same issue on your old headset and your new?? Pls reply..
I actually really like the stock cushions on my nove pro wireless. I tried the wicked cushion pads and hated them. I tried both the WC freeze gel and the leather ones. The freeze gel is the worst, it makes the headset sound awful! And makes it much heavier. The WC leather pads were decent. But I still prefer the stock pads for the better sound. The ANC nub has never been an issue for me though.
Same here! The WC completely destroyed the sound quality for me. The stock pads luckily work well for me, my ears don't get sore until after a few hours of wearing.
Trust me, I have been on the same path, got the wc upgrade, I could feel the bump, never had issues with the stock one, but now after a few months I'm starting to feel it, it takes time. The WC freeze is horrible, heavy, uncomfortable, and sound quality is bad, as in worse than my 100 dollars sony headphones. My big mistake was trust this reviewer, he's just selling the product, he gets free headphones and probably also paid by WC too.
Price alone, here in Australia, is a winner. The Nova Pro is $735 AUD vs $496 AUD for the Maxwell. I honestly can't see $700 worth of features with the Nova Pro, especially with critical break points being plastic.
Legit - both sides broke for me in the Siberia 840 - although both my kids yanked it while I was wearing it and broke a side each. But still, if it was metal it wouldn't have broken.
nova pro wires is my favourite headset...and ive owned basically all of them...just works for me...i watch these comparisons for fun and i will never use another headset
I have both the Nova Pro Wireless and just got the Maxwell and wow! I will say that so far the Maxwell are absolutely amazing! And surprisingly very comfortable! Nova pros are great because of the base station and dual Bluetooth/game same time compatibility but if we’re talking just sound, the Maxwell are noticeably better. So far I’ve just played games like Elden ring and Hogwarts with the Maxwell but I will also run some warzone bf2042 and apex later
@@zaidal-hasani5465 played a couple Apex games and this thing is still so good! Can hear footsteps and know exactly where they are coming from. Same for warzone and battlefield. Honestly these have me wanting to put my nova pro wireless back in the box. But nova pros are still oh so good for fps shooters. I also love that I have my nova pros tweaked to the perfect setting for fps games. I haven’t tweaked the maxwells at all and the sound is still almost perfect for fps so honestly you won’t regret these
@@DoxArb this is reassuring cause im hearing so many mix opinions on how well they image. I dont play competitive games, but the games i do play knowing where a sound came from could mean surviving or not.
I've not tested the Nova Pro, but I just received my Maxwell's two days ago upgrading from the Astro A50 gen 4. I couldn't be happier. They sound amazing, feel great on my head, and seem to be built insanely well. I haven't noticed the earpads making my ears too hot ot sweaty either. Might get little moist after a couple hours but nothing terrible. Have to mention the battery life as well. They claim 80 hours and although I haven't been able to test this yet, I can say I wore them for practically 8 hours straight yesterday, listening to music and playing on my Xbox and by end of the day the battery had only dropped to 90%. These seem they will easily get close to 2 weeks of use between charges with a few hours of use per day. Audeze has done something special with this model. 🤙🏻
Just got my Maxwell's. Wore them for shy of two hours and hated every moment. They sound good, but man, they are not comfortable for me. Feels like I've been standing on my head for two hours. Swapped back to my Sennheiser PC38X and they felt like a cloud on my head and I didn't notice any difference in sound quality. For €400 + €40 for the Wicked Cushions the Maxwell feel really disappointing..
@@Woupsme I thought they were a little heavy the first couple hours I wore them, but I got used to it pretty quickly. They feel pretty normal to me now. Sorry to hear you didn't love them.
So I’ve been eyeing the Maxwell. I own the a40 tr with mixamp and a50. I have them tuned perfectly for fps games. With you having these, how are you liking them over the a50??
@@johnbilinsky5763 I'm absolutely loving them. I sold my A50's and these have become my daily gaming headset. They sound amazing when tuned correctly and the battery life is insane. Easily the best headset I've ever had. Atmospheric sounds in games sound so life like and the rumble of the bass when explosions and gun shots go off sound like you're watching Saving Private Ryan in 5.1 surround sound. I highly recommend them. Let me know if you pick them up and I'll share the EQ I created for them. I posted it online and people seem to love the tuning.
I just got the Nova Pro and my mic definitely doesn't sound has bad as his. I do see he didn't attach the pop filter that comes with the headset. Perhaps the quality issues were addressed in an update. What's nice about the DAC is the display can show live CPU, GPU and RAM usage along with temps and other info. It also displays the battery status for both.
Luckily got my Nova Pro Wireless for $200 last November and it's such a great headset... The Maxwells have me intrigued tho... That Planar Magnetic sound seems next level
Personally the SteelSeries Nova Pro wins hands down over any other wireless headset. If you get the xbox version the headset works with everything, Xbox, PlayStation, PC, Mac, Switch and Phones. With the bluetooth you can listen and talk to your phone at the same times as gaming. The swappable batteries are one of the best features, never having to charge your headset while gaming is amazing. The wireless range is also unmatched, I have my console upstairs and I can walk downstairs and all over my house and still hear and talk to my friends. There are also ways to listen to two sources as the same time with the DAC, so you can hear both your PC and console at the same time if you want to for whatever reason. It's the versatility of SteelSeries premium headsets that I love, I'd take it over the improved audio quality any day.
How does steel series win as a headset when it doesn’t have the best sound hahah. That’s what there for is producing amazing quality sound and the maxwells are on another level. Stay triggered
I'm waiting for the Maxwell. I already own the Arctis Pro wireless which I use for movies too as I use them via the sdif out from my tv, I use a optical audio splitter for two Arctis pros. The surround effect from the DTS headphones X is just amazing when watching movies I dont know why more people aren't using it. It's actually incredible. As the PS5 only supports stereo out via a dongle there are no way to get surround headphones to work on PS5 unless you get the Arctis Pro/wireless headsets. So for stereo headphones the Maxwell are amazing and as the Penrose sound much better than the Nova then yes the Maxwell are a much better pick for 3D tempest use .
you can use PS5's audio engine, that's what the maxwell uses. On PC and Xbox they can use Sonic, DTSx, Adobe atmos, Adobe 3d, or razer's 3d, The xbox version comes with a license code for adobe atmos 3d. These should have height sounds.
hi. i play warzone 2 on ps5 and wondered what you think is the best headset for this? i currently rock astro a40tr and mixamp to fine tune the headset but feel its been lacking recently and wondered what you would recommend? arctis pro nova wireless???
I ordered Maxwell XBOX version in December and I’m still waiting to receive them. Supposedly Microsoft needs to certify them before it can be shipped. I can’t wait to get the Maxwells!
I have both, I absolutely love the more beefy sound from the Steel Series, if you want to push the maxwell it will handle it better but I have had many issues with crinkling in the maxwells, but the steel series have the nub into your ear
I went with the Nova Pro since I already owned that PS4 Arctis Pro with Wicked Cushions. I also purchase the Xbox Nova Pro with Wicked Cushions. The reason I love these headsets is because you can swap batteries fast without powering off the headset on the Nova Pro sadly you have to power the Arctis Pro back up. I enjoy the phone Bluetooth call in feature, and the nice application you can run on the computer that gives you a lot of control. Now would be nice to get better sounds (studio quality) out of them out of the box but you can if you go in and tweak the EQ manually. The big deal for me is that they are super light even with all the features they pack is easier on my neck since I work behind a computer all day and after work I also use them for gaming or game dev/audio production. On top of that they work perfectly with the Xbox Series X. They are expensive but they are worth It in the end. I use a lot the dac of the unity so is nice to have it within reach. I did try the USB version of the AUDEZE back many years ago and after 30mins of gaming my head felt it was going to fall off due to the weight but dang the sound out of the 100mm planar was amazing.
The Arctis Pro wicked cushions are too big for the Novas. I swapped mine over and theyre really baggy - they sound awful. Wicked Cushions are a rip off anyway - these things cost a couple of dollars to make. I bought some generic black ones from that are exactly the same quality/look/feel (honestly I'd be very surprised if they DID NOT come from the same factory) for less than 7 USD on Thailand's equivalent of Amazon. Yeah Wicked Cushions are kinda good - sound a bit leaky but the comfort compensates somewhat, but Jesus, they are SERIOUSLY overpriced.
Keep these Audeze Maxwell videos coming! You’re becoming my most viewed channel these last couple days. I think of the stock ear pads ANC issue for the Novas like that drip torture where a drop just keeps falling on you making it more and more irritable.
I own the Steel Series Arctis Pro 9 and the basic default mic is terrible just as he shows, BUT the windows steel series sonar is fantastic and highly recommend it. I also use a Blue Snowball mic
Just preordered them! Thanks Techne! The only Audio-Nerd I trust! I trust no "audiophiles" as they seem to pull their opinion out their ass. But you, your opinion is always legit!
I have Sennheiser HD800, Hifiman Arya, Audeze LCD-X, Audeze Mobius, Focal Elex, Astro A40 and other headphones - and yet, I still love to game on the Nova Pro Wireless and with the new gamedac. They are exceptional for the money.
@@itscoolthough419 Everything is very simple. The man bought these headphones blindly, trusting reviews and not his own ears. I bought with my own ears, listened to headphones and sound amplifiers in an audio store, and I know what it sounds like. He also didn’t say through what source he listens to the headphones, or what sound amplifier, this is very important, since a budget sound amplifier will not provide great sound. Focal Elex - light-sounding headphones, weak bass, flat mids. The headphones sound similar to the Sennheiser ones, which have weak bass. Sennheiser are smooth or light sounding headphones, while Beyerdynamic are dark or neutral with a warm undertone. That's why I like Beyerdynamic better than Sennheiser. Now about his next headphones. The Sennheiser HD800 and Audeze LCD-X have smooth and neutral sound with high resolution audio, with weak bass, and this sound seems dull because these headphones are designed for listening to sounds, not music. You pay more attention to the sounds than to the music in general, and in games these headphones give you sounds in a realistic and detailed way, which makes listening to the game boring, very boring. HiFiMAN Arya is an old version, they are not sold in stores, and I have not listened to them. I can’t say about HiFiMAN Arya, but I looked at them in the review about HiFiMAN Arya Organic on the Soundnews channel, where they say that HiFiMAN Arya Organic is an improved version of Arya and Arya Stealth. Given that the Arya didn't have impressive sound and the Sennheiser HD800 sounded much better than the HiFiMAN Arya, I'm guessing that the HiFiMAN Arya in the game also doesn't provide the surround and emotional sound that the SteelSeries Nova Pro does. SteelSeries Nova Pro and Audeze Maxwell sound emotional, interesting, and SteelSeries Nova Pro has more bass, and therefore he likes SteelSeries Nova Pro more. If he listens to the HiFiMAN Arya Organic and the FiiO K19 amplifier, then he won't want to listen to the SteelSeries Nova Pro. HiFiMAN Arya Organic is very interesting to listen to games. HiFiMAN Arya Organic have a neutral and bright sound with the highest sound resolution and cool bass. The sound is emotional, lively, clear, airy and has great bass. In games you can hear surround, large-scale, clear and airy sound. Listen through my nickname to how games sound through HiFiMAN Arya Organic and FiiO K19. The SteelSeries Nova Pro, Audeze Maxwell are not capable of delivering such high-end sound, and the Sennheiser HD800 and Audeze LCD-X do not sound as emotional or have as much bass as the HiFiMAN Arya Organic, and therefore are not suitable for gaming.
I’ve had my audeze maxwells 2 weeks and I’m now looking to return them. They keep dropping the signal when I’m sat next to my pc, not once, but consistently dropping connection. The wifi range in general is considerably worse than my previous A50’s so now I am going to try the Nova Pro’s
We really need an "Arctis nova 9". Basically an arctis nova 7 with the battery swap system from the nova pro (just get us a wall adapter charger no need for that equalizer station/gamedac). Also no need for active noise cancelling
Would you say that the maxwell is on par with wired headphones? Got the senheiser pc38x and I've considered doing wireless but I felt like wired headphones provided a better sound. Your description on the audio for the maxwell got me thinking lol
Had the penrose for a while and ended up selling them. Sound was amazing but they felt incomplete. Have always Mained Arctis pros wireless and since the release Arctis nova pro wireless. I always felt that Arctis are the best for fps games but the immersion for open world games could be better. Just ordered the maxwell and plan to primarily use them for open world rpg games and use nova pro for fps. Going to compare both for all types of games and will answer any questions by this time next week
Just got 3 days ago the nova pro, but now I'm considering returning them and getting the Maxwell, what u guys recommend me? I want more bass on my games.
Bought my Nova Pro (Xbox version) at Best Buy just a few days ago at $306 but, after watching several videos now on this channel and elsewhere, am sorely tempted to return the Nova Pro to the store and wait for the Xbox version of the Maxwell. Guess I'll go back to using my A50s until then.
@@bullymaquire8797 I'll likely take the Nova Pro back to BB tomorrow. Played with them again today and still feel I want more from the audio quality, so fingers crossed that the Maxwells scratch that itch for me (once the Xbox version is out and I can find one).
@@jacquesgudehey man I'm in your same exact boat. Did the maxwells scratch that itch? I dig my nova pros I just got but felt they could be better audio wise. Please reply!
@@bowman9197 Hey there. They absolutely did scratch the itch. As I noted, I had tried the Nova Pro wireless as a possible replacement for my Astro A50 headset. The Nova were, in my opinion, overhyped. I absolutely love the Maxwell (xbox version). That said, your mileage may vary as all of our ears are different.
The Maxwell Xbox version are $330 versus the PlayStation version which are $300. I’ve always preferred the sound of my Penrose X versus the Nova Pro…so likely I’ll jump over to the Maxwell once the Xbox version is released.
Just got the Maxwells today and game with it for 12hr straight and trust me it get really spicy, getting the wicked to replace the muffs but overall the sound and software and quality is 🔥 so I do not regret getting it. Can’t wait to try the new wicked cushion!
@2000NRJ so, up front. I returned mine after a bit of use. They are heavy on my head I didn't think it would bother me, but for long game sessions, it did. They sound as good as advertised. But I had to switch because of the weight, which even saying that sounds funny to me. I tried to get use to them for about a month and decided they weren't for me.
@@bobby7975 Good thing that you can return them though. They're an amazing pair of headset for the price and worth trying to see if the weight doesn't bother you.
Is the app useful for the ps5? Or is it just for the pc? I have a pair of beoplay portals and the app definitely tweaks things even for console gaming. Though its not that great settings wise. Im really looking for a headset that has a good noise cancelling microphone which maxwell clearly shows. Would be nice to see the app isnt useless though.
Which headsets are your personal favourite for gaming, Music and Streaming netflix, Prime video or Apple tv. I means which ones are good for all types of device even mobile devices and are wireless only
Bought my steelseries arctis pro and only been using it for 3 days and i can only hear statis it's weird and i was thinking of audeze maxwell , thank god i found this video. Thanks!
Ayo hello. I want some opinions. I want a gaming headset under 100€ , for ps4 and phone...I have now 3d pulse but they aren't so comfortable so I will sell them. Is it worth to buy blackshark v2 or something else?
Hey Techne, thanks for all of your effort u do and we really appreciate ur amazing work here🌹 I have an inquiry about the Maxwell Playstation version, on their website they say the Maxwell now is getting an update on their warehouse stock, now for those stock out there that didn't get the update, are they getting the update also by their app or smth, and what is the update about is it that important?, Cuz i prefer to wait and buy an updated one rather than picking up the one in my local store which didn't get the update. Thank u so much.
How the hell would he know? You expect him to contact Audeze on your behalf to ask them? You should be emailing Audeze with that question, not a youtuber - use some common sense man
I just bought the Arctis Nova 7x and when the battery is 25% or lower it makes a sound EVERY 5 MINUTES. Is it normal? 25% battery is still 9,5 hours of battery, but that repeating sound makes the headset unusable until I charge it.
if the Maxwell’s had a way to be able to have one headset work with both their PlayStation and Xbox dongles I’d consider them, but they don’t so Nova Pro Wireless all the way
Also I have read on their website that each version of the headset will not function the same on the other console , so the Xbox version will not be fully guaranteed to function the same on PS
I bought the WC leather pads (same as the stock ones not the ones his showing) not because of the nub, and tbh i really need to press hard to even feel the nub. The WC pads are good but the stock ones feel more comfy and softer, at least for me. And you can hear that the anc works better with the stock pads. But thats just my head and ears, could be different on your ears. I have a lot of headsets, but the nova pro beats every last one of them, sound - mic- comfort - battery - software all at its best. If you would buy a new headset for gaming this is the one to buy. This is best channel for headset reviews. Love your vids✌
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Looking for advice. I purchased the nova 7 X, and I returned them. I thought the sound wasn’t good. I only use the headsets for gaming, and talking to clients via pc, and listening to tutorials, webinars and other general developer work. Are the Maxwell the best for this, or any other recommendations. They must be wireless
The simaltaneous Bluetooth usage and the DAC is why I bought the Nova Pro Wireless. After using them for around 4 months I cant praise the headset enough. Soooo worth the money.
@@kavid8120 Means you can use it for Xbox and your phone for example you get a phone call or want to listen to music you can on the phone while also still connected to the Xbox
Do you have foil sound in them? just people say that after a while. they start to creak, because of this I'm afraid to take them, for that kind of money, I wanted to take audeze maxwell for games, but now I'm thinking ...
Picked up the Nova pro Wireless when they were first released. I picked up the Xbox Version so I could use with my PS5 as well as XSX. However when I use them with the PS5 I get frequent popping sounds as well as distorted audio noises. I also sometimes get a continuous screeching noise that will not go away unless I turn off and then turn back on the headset. I have tried using a different USB-c cable as well as changing some of the interior settings such as from speed to range. Curious if you ran into any of these issues with your Nova Pro wireless on PS5? Tried contacting SteelSeries and they were not much help. Because off your recommendation I did pick up the Penrose for PS5 and loved them except for the range of the dongle. Now I got the Mawxell's and I love them. Keep up the great content.
On your Nova dock, use the USB port not Xbox port for PS5. You might also need to disable side tone when using your Novas with ps5. I have the nova pro wired for xbox and no issues on ps5. However I disabled sidetone on my maxwells as this has quite a lot of static popping. I hope this helps.
I just got the SteelSeries Nova Pros for $300 on a Black Friday sale on their website. I also went ahead and pre-ordered the wicked cushions for them so that I don’t have to deal with the discomfort. With that being said, would you recommend me keeping them over the Maxwells or just get the Maxwells and return the Nova Pros?
I have them both and although I know most people see this as a slam dunk for the Maxwell, it really depends on how you use them. In your review, you always gave the win to Maxwell on the obvious segments but you didn't do the Nova justice on the simultaneous Bluetooth. That is HUGE and something he Maxwell simply can't do and the Nova does it seamlessly. But I think on the overall you are dead on. You just can't goup against the Maxwell at that price point. Best scenario is a person can have both and use situationally.
Did you confirm that you are in EU while setup? - This will limit max volume. Can't imagine that they are not loud enough, this was always a pain point for me with other headsets, the novas get plenty loud
@@patzl "Outside the EU" because it limits the volume I think to 85 decibels, I lied ;) For example, on PS5 TLOU the volume had to be almost maxed out compared to my old artics pro wireless at 60-70%. Same in other story games. I prefer to notice that there is plenty of power than always being at the maximum of the headset.
@@alvarotorres6129 It was probly a setting in the DAC. I have the OG Arctis Pro and there is a "gain" option, so when that is switched to low the volume is significantly weaker than when it's on high. And if you didn't adjust the EQ then it would have been on the flat profile which is pretty low in volume. Idk if they still have the "smiley" option but that was a good start
After watching so, so ,so many videos about the nova pro wireless I finally bought some now sadly they have yet to arrive despite the websites promise to deliver in 1 day but I cant wait to see how it stacks up, I am for the moment using my mostly broken AKG K371, which have knockoff replacement pads because akg doesnt have spart parts, and I'd be on the third replacement cable by now after just a bit over a year of ownership which is just a huge disappointment. Although I do have to ask, are the wicked cushions really a big improvement on the steelseries comfort and sound?
ANPW blow the K371 out of the water. In Audio circles, the K371 is seen as the modern successor to the DT 770 Pro which I fully disagree with. Besides the cheap build quality and low comfort of the K371, the sound is nothing special. I would say they compete right on par with DT 770 and they will be preference. I own both, along with HD 560S and Edition XS. All amp'd etc. ANPW in my opinion would be an upgrade for you in sound quality and precision. The K371 has HORRIBLE gaming performance in terms of direction/imaging. ANPW are very impressive in that regard and can bring up details and multiple sounds layering in a very clear way.
@@donramax4409 if I were you I would not think twice and go straight to the Maxwell for best audio performance. They are a steal at $300 with a great mic (superior to ANPW). The musical qualities of the ANPW were Good+ not Great, not Amazing... it's a refined version of the sound you have already heard while the Maxwell has the chance to elevate your sound to a new level. Even their last gen Penrose were already seen as the hands down "best" sound quality headset even above ANPW. This is a no brainer unless you NEED one of the features on ANPW. To top it off the Maxwell is cheaper. Don't think, buy.
@drewmorg I wish I could but at the moment it's completely sold out or severely marked up, when it becomes available I'll definitely see if I can get my hands on it
I had the nova. The mic was very noticeably bad. And therefore I'm going for the maxwell. But the replaceable battery was AMAZING, simply an unforgettable feature. Also being able to run 2 instances of sound. But that's not a deal breaker for me.
i have the Audeze Maxwells over the SS feel like they are both really good headsets, but i feel that the steel series would be more worth it if i was on PC and able to get the steelseries gg app. the fact that the Audeze sound amazing out of the box and they have app as well so i went with the Audeze.
I recently picked up the NPW coming from the gen 3 A50s. Ill be honest i like the features but im really considering returning them and sticking with the A50s until something better comes along. The WC pads did help but even tuning it to accommodate the new pads the sound quality im unsure if its a upgrade or just a even replacement. I guess it didn't wow me for the cost. I find the A50s more comfortable also. Im still in my 14d return window from BB so a bit more playing around but odds are ill return them.
Yo Dean, so what did you end up with? I also purchased the Nova Pros and returned them because I wasn’t satisfied with the sound quality. My Turtle Beach Gen 2 Max had better game audio in my opinion. So I just bought the Maxwells from their site last week! I’ll be receiving them sometime this month! Can’t wait.
@@Warship63 i did return the Nova. Thus far i haven't made any purchases. Im leaning towards the Maxwell's but im getting so many mixed reviews on the soundstage with positional audio. I dont play competitive but i do play games where knowing the direction of a sound is important. Do let me know how they perform in that area when they arrive.
@@Gamer_Dad14 will do! One big reason I bought the Maxwells is because I’m fascinated with this while “Planar Magnetic” drivers! Hopefully they don’t disappoint.
Seeing these comments, I feel really disappointed about buying the Nova Pro Wireless. I bought them a month ago and was so excited, but now apparently this Maxwell is sooo much better. I can't return the ANPW either. Are the Maxwell's really that much better? I'm not sure I like the lack of ANC...I guess the splitter with my TV would be a benefit the Maxwell doesn't have.
can you answer phone calls w the audeze via bluetooth? is that just something the SS do or? i like that feature the most as well as swappable batteries. those are 2 of the most important functions to me. i have to be able to answer and not miss calls while gaming. the ss allow me to do that. the swap is also a very convenient feature as your never out of the game or wired. i remember the turtle beach px5 was the first to offer all of that in a headset then they took it away. the px5 took aa batteries which i just bought rechargeable batteries and swapped them out when needed. essentially the same feature. they also had bluetooth to answer phone calls as well. good vid though
I wanna know if they fixed the penrose problem, where the pressure inside the ear cups creases the planar magnetic drivers and then you hear the crinkle/crackle noise when moving your head around.
So the Maxwell is much much better when it comes to sound and immerse you into games. Got it! Thank you! I've been digging around for a few days now, and I'll choose the maxwell. Thanks.
If your curious about the Maxwell vs Penrose, well here ya go ua-cam.com/video/Pp2JIVgW1jQ/v-deo.html
Maxwell vs vzr model one??
@@EagleCloudy editing the video as well speak ;)
Just to let you guys know that the problem with the old Actis Pro line’s earcup getting loose and eventually break… I think it’ll happen to the new Arcits Nova line as well… mine’s already getting kinda loose on one side and I take really good care of it….. Steel Series should have used metal parts instead of plastic… other than that it’s a rather perfect gaming headset.
Do you have sony XM5 and maybe could compare it with a traditional headset instead of a gaming one?
A magnesium version of Maxwell audese would be fully sick.
All the great songs but half the weight.
For anyone worried or on the fence about the maxwell and it’s size. I have a fairly tall and big head, 7 3/4 hat. They fit me perfect on the middle setting of the strap. I was worried it might be to heavy, I don’t find it any heavier than any other high quality headset. I use WC freeze pads and the headset is insanely comfortable. It doesn’t feel heavy at all when holding it, just well built. I do have a pretty strong linebacker type neck but I can’t imagine it being too much for someone smaller. It honestly doesn’t feel “heavy” to me at all. Remember these weights are in grams so even a bigger number still isn’t heavy. It will feel heavier if you’re used to all plastic headsets but to me it just feels solid and well built. Should fit any head very comfortably and I played for 7 hours straight with no weight or neck issues. Hope this helps
Do you have any problems with the headband part? I have seen a lot of complains about breaking connections there !
Ask if the headset supports PS5 console and Xbox Series x. It didn't support can I have a special ups for Xbox and I can use Xbox with a PS5 if it doesn't support any of this it's not suitable for everyone
Reading that maxwell doesnt feel heavy seems hella buyest to me, its 490 grams... My orbits are 350g something and feels really heavy. But i might try them anyway tho to see myself. I hope you right, i want them so bad man
I don’t regret getting the Nova Pro Wireless, I have the same color wicked cushions and they are amazing. I can wear them all day, good sound & hot swappable battery life
Battery life on the Maxwell is 80 hours so there is no need of a 2nd battery and it charges in 20 minutes. Also the sound quality on the Maxwell is in another league. I've got both so i know the difference and its pretty big.
I have the nova pro wireless. The sound is just normal and decent. Nothing like planar magnetics.
You do after watching this video aha
Thank you these where the 2 I was trying to decide on, and now I am 100% sure which one I am going with , thank you and max, I can't wait to hear you.
10:58 THANK YOU FOR SHOWING THAT! I've been asking myself if you can use the integrated mics as a "ghetto mic" on their own and you not only mentioned it, but showed how it sounds! That's HUGE for me for 2 reasons:
1. It actually sounds good and you don't have to rip the mic out and ram it back in sometimes countless times a day, often for little things... Now you flip a switch, use mic, turn switch back off... And if you're actually playing/talking for a while, THEN plug the mic in, perfect!
2. I ALWAYS misplace my mic, I've spent up to 15 minutes looking for it... 😀So this feature ALONE buys Audeze some HUGE brownie points with me, because that is the kind of thinking I appreciate! Can't wait to receive mine beginning next week!
Are you happy with your choice a year later?
Have to admit, didn't know your channel when I watched this and thought you were just someone fanboying for the Maxwells....and boy was a I wrong. Just got them in today, they are incredible and I agree with every one of your points in this video lol. These sound incredible. Thank you for the video!
Crazy how the built in mics on the Maxwell sound better than the nova pro wireless boom mic 😂 as a nova pro user it’s a little disappointing
and the same exact headset, but wired has almost the opposite of a mic, a great mic that is
Audeze just hit a home run to me and it's about time. I've been holding off on wireless headsets for 2 reasons. 1 is the lackluster battery life which is countered by SteelSeries and their swappable battery system and finally...hate to say it but it's not a SteelSeries product. No offense to SteelSeries as they make good products but their sound signature doesn't hit home with me and I'm not sure it ever will. The 20 min charge for all day play/ "80 hours" with a full charge finally takes the cake for me and now I can comfortably invest in a wireless set of cans now. Great coverage of this new headset techne and thank you :).
Did you get the Maxwells? How have they been? Looking into getting some for my ps5 and finally go wireless
Coming from a nova pro wireless user, I get excited seeing comparisons like this, I'll never regret my choice buying the nova pro wireless
I had the Nova pro from October to January. They were great for the features and I like that they are light. However, I just got the Maxwells yesterday. The experience of the sound from these is so crisp it just makes it worth the switch alone. They are both good it just depends what you are looking for.
Me neither, I love my Nova Pro wireless
@@JoeyHerbertt I just can't ditch the Bluetooth/2.4ghz connection at the same time with interchangable batteries with great fps steroids and the supreme comfort
@@ButtersChannel Those are definitely good features. I was eyeing the Penrose back in 2020 and seeing the Maxwell come right after I bought the Nova Pro wireless I decided to use Amazons extended return window for the holidays. I miss some of the features of the Nova and it’s ease of use but don’t regret returning it and getting these. The Novas were way overhyped imo.
@@ButtersChannel interchangeables batteries are useless when you have 80+ hours, and the confort on the Nova Pro is not really supreme 😅 But yeah BT/2.4ghz is great
I received my Audeze Maxwell 2 days ago and am blown away by the sound. The best headset I’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to.
I am jealous. I have the Audeze LCD2C, blows both headsets in this episode out of the water, but it needs a dedicated amp and is open back. I really want the maxwell for Bluetooth en moments i need isolation of sound. BUT THEY ARE SOLD OUT EVERYWHERE in the Netherlands. Where did you order yours? You live in the States?
@@dantebest8 eBay got delivered in 2 days after I ordered it. Brand new
Xbox?
@@jd5507 no I have the PS5/PC version.
@@dantebest8How much are the Maxwell's in the Netherlands?
I owned ANPW for a week and had to return. The ANC bump is definitely a real thing, I ordered Wicked Cushions within 24 hours of ownership. Get the big ones not the mid-tier ones like I did -- I could still feel the bump a tiny bit. The reason I returned was actually the elastic headband design, I don't know why that is the trend to put those in right now but they are ALL bad. Since there is constant tension in the band (like a stretched rubber band) it's always trying to reach neutral. This means it's always squeezing your head and sliding forward until it falls off the front of your head -- unbelievably annoying. ANPW do sound good especially when you find the High Gain setting in the SS Software. The mids and highs are crispy and I found the drivers themselves to be quite high resolution. I would say the ANPW easily competes with audio-grade headphones (with amp) in the $150-200 range. It's impressive for a wireless and the amount of features they pack in.
80 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE.....SHEESH....
The Mobius had the best mic out of the hundreds of headsets i've tested....the Maxwell seems to have built on that and made it better.....i just wish they weren't as bulky😂
Great review buddy! hope all is well
I just purchased the nova pro wireless a few months ago and I couldn’t be happier and I hope to keep them for a long time but if something happens to them and I’m in the market for a new headset then I know what to get next now. The Audeze maxwell looks awesome!
One year late but I'm deciding today from these two options and Maxwell won the points I needed to make that decision.
Thank you for your hard work!
Really enjoying my Arctis Nova Pro Wireless here, it has been my go to headset for pc uses now and I think it’s much better than the old Arctis Pro Wireless.
How so? Iv got the old pro wireless, wondering what’s so different besides battery and anc
Just to let you know that the problem with the old pro wireless’ earcup getting loose… I think it’ll happen to the Arcits Nova line as well… mine’s already getting kinda loose on one side and I take really good care of it….. other than that it’s a rather perfect gaming headset.
@@morriswu3953 May I ask? How's the durability of the Arctis Nova pros?? Any say they break easily especially in the earcups bridge.. Do you have the same issue on your old headset and your new?? Pls reply..
Simultaneous BT can be done on the Maxwell BUT only during wired connections.
They have to be updated for the functionality btw
I actually really like the stock cushions on my nove pro wireless. I tried the wicked cushion pads and hated them. I tried both the WC freeze gel and the leather ones. The freeze gel is the worst, it makes the headset sound awful! And makes it much heavier. The WC leather pads were decent. But I still prefer the stock pads for the better sound. The ANC nub has never been an issue for me though.
Yeah I haven't had any issues at all with the stock pads. Comfortable all day and sound great.
Luck man, they drove me bananas
Same here! The WC completely destroyed the sound quality for me. The stock pads luckily work well for me, my ears don't get sore until after a few hours of wearing.
@@JayBarty yeah the change in sound quality was the main deal breaker
Trust me, I have been on the same path, got the wc upgrade, I could feel the bump, never had issues with the stock one, but now after a few months I'm starting to feel it, it takes time. The WC freeze is horrible, heavy, uncomfortable, and sound quality is bad, as in worse than my 100 dollars sony headphones. My big mistake was trust this reviewer, he's just selling the product, he gets free headphones and probably also paid by WC too.
Price alone, here in Australia, is a winner. The Nova Pro is $735 AUD vs $496 AUD for the Maxwell. I honestly can't see $700 worth of features with the Nova Pro, especially with critical break points being plastic.
Legit - both sides broke for me in the Siberia 840 - although both my kids yanked it while I was wearing it and broke a side each. But still, if it was metal it wouldn't have broken.
nova pro wires is my favourite headset...and ive owned basically all of them...just works for me...i watch these comparisons for fun and i will never use another headset
I have both the Nova Pro Wireless and just got the Maxwell and wow! I will say that so far the Maxwell are absolutely amazing! And surprisingly very comfortable! Nova pros are great because of the base station and dual Bluetooth/game same time compatibility but if we’re talking just sound, the Maxwell are noticeably better. So far I’ve just played games like Elden ring and Hogwarts with the Maxwell but I will also run some warzone bf2042 and apex later
I care for the FPS games especially Apex. I’d like to know if you tried the Maxwell playing Apex.
@@zaidal-hasani5465 played a couple Apex games and this thing is still so good! Can hear footsteps and know exactly where they are coming from. Same for warzone and battlefield. Honestly these have me wanting to put my nova pro wireless back in the box. But nova pros are still oh so good for fps shooters. I also love that I have my nova pros tweaked to the perfect setting for fps games. I haven’t tweaked the maxwells at all and the sound is still almost perfect for fps so honestly you won’t regret these
@@DoxArb this is reassuring cause im hearing so many mix opinions on how well they image. I dont play competitive games, but the games i do play knowing where a sound came from could mean surviving or not.
i have to buy a headset=? which better between nova and maxwell? i play with ps5
@@darkjacob886 Maxwell
I've not tested the Nova Pro, but I just received my Maxwell's two days ago upgrading from the Astro A50 gen 4. I couldn't be happier. They sound amazing, feel great on my head, and seem to be built insanely well. I haven't noticed the earpads making my ears too hot ot sweaty either. Might get little moist after a couple hours but nothing terrible. Have to mention the battery life as well. They claim 80 hours and although I haven't been able to test this yet, I can say I wore them for practically 8 hours straight yesterday, listening to music and playing on my Xbox and by end of the day the battery had only dropped to 90%. These seem they will easily get close to 2 weeks of use between charges with a few hours of use per day. Audeze has done something special with this model. 🤙🏻
Just got my Maxwell's. Wore them for shy of two hours and hated every moment.
They sound good, but man, they are not comfortable for me. Feels like I've been standing on my head for two hours.
Swapped back to my Sennheiser PC38X and they felt like a cloud on my head and I didn't notice any difference in sound quality.
For €400 + €40 for the Wicked Cushions the Maxwell feel really disappointing..
@@Woupsme I thought they were a little heavy the first couple hours I wore them, but I got used to it pretty quickly. They feel pretty normal to me now. Sorry to hear you didn't love them.
So I’ve been eyeing the Maxwell. I own the a40 tr with mixamp and a50. I have them tuned perfectly for fps games. With you having these, how are you liking them over the a50??
@@johnbilinsky5763 I'm absolutely loving them. I sold my A50's and these have become my daily gaming headset. They sound amazing when tuned correctly and the battery life is insane. Easily the best headset I've ever had. Atmospheric sounds in games sound so life like and the rumble of the bass when explosions and gun shots go off sound like you're watching Saving Private Ryan in 5.1 surround sound. I highly recommend them. Let me know if you pick them up and I'll share the EQ I created for them. I posted it online and people seem to love the tuning.
I just got the Nova Pro and my mic definitely doesn't sound has bad as his. I do see he didn't attach the pop filter that comes with the headset. Perhaps the quality issues were addressed in an update. What's nice about the DAC is the display can show live CPU, GPU and RAM usage along with temps and other info. It also displays the battery status for both.
My Maxwells should be here tomorrow. Im so excited.
Luckily got my Nova Pro Wireless for $200 last November and it's such a great headset... The Maxwells have me intrigued tho... That Planar Magnetic sound seems next level
It really is, compared to dynamic driver gaming headsets usually use. Fast and clear
The difference in sound quality is huge.
Personally the SteelSeries Nova Pro wins hands down over any other wireless headset. If you get the xbox version the headset works with everything, Xbox, PlayStation, PC, Mac, Switch and Phones. With the bluetooth you can listen and talk to your phone at the same times as gaming. The swappable batteries are one of the best features, never having to charge your headset while gaming is amazing. The wireless range is also unmatched, I have my console upstairs and I can walk downstairs and all over my house and still hear and talk to my friends. There are also ways to listen to two sources as the same time with the DAC, so you can hear both your PC and console at the same time if you want to for whatever reason.
It's the versatility of SteelSeries premium headsets that I love, I'd take it over the improved audio quality any day.
I bought the ps version😢
But if its works with the cbox controller wired its no problem
They’re trash when it comes to footsteps. On pc benifits off of Sonar. So they’re a waste of money
How does steel series win as a headset when it doesn’t have the best sound hahah. That’s what there for is producing amazing quality sound and the maxwells are on another level. Stay triggered
@@King-js7nw I said "personally" You're clearly the one who's triggered and emotional, you can't accept another persons opinion.
@@King-js7nwdid you read anything past the first few words he said at all or did u just see the first sentence and go yeah this guys triggered
I'm waiting for the Maxwell. I already own the Arctis Pro wireless which I use for movies too as I use them via the sdif out from my tv, I use a optical audio splitter for two Arctis pros.
The surround effect from the DTS headphones X is just amazing when watching movies I dont know why more people aren't using it. It's actually incredible.
As the PS5 only supports stereo out via a dongle there are no way to get surround headphones to work on PS5 unless you get the Arctis Pro/wireless headsets.
So for stereo headphones the Maxwell are amazing and as the Penrose sound much better than the Nova then yes the Maxwell are a much better pick for 3D tempest use .
you can use PS5's audio engine, that's what the maxwell uses. On PC and Xbox they can use Sonic, DTSx, Adobe atmos, Adobe 3d, or razer's 3d, The xbox version comes with a license code for adobe atmos 3d. These should have height sounds.
hi. i play warzone 2 on ps5 and wondered what you think is the best headset for this? i currently rock astro a40tr and mixamp to fine tune the headset but feel its been lacking recently and wondered what you would recommend? arctis pro nova wireless???
I ordered Maxwell XBOX version in December and I’m still waiting to receive them. Supposedly Microsoft needs to certify them before it can be shipped. I can’t wait to get the Maxwells!
I have both, I absolutely love the more beefy sound from the Steel Series, if you want to push the maxwell it will handle it better but I have had many issues with crinkling in the maxwells, but the steel series have the nub into your ear
I went with the Nova Pro since I already owned that PS4 Arctis Pro with Wicked Cushions. I also purchase the Xbox Nova Pro with Wicked Cushions. The reason I love these headsets is because you can swap batteries fast without powering off the headset on the Nova Pro sadly you have to power the Arctis Pro back up. I enjoy the phone Bluetooth call in feature, and the nice application you can run on the computer that gives you a lot of control. Now would be nice to get better sounds (studio quality) out of them out of the box but you can if you go in and tweak the EQ manually. The big deal for me is that they are super light even with all the features they pack is easier on my neck since I work behind a computer all day and after work I also use them for gaming or game dev/audio production. On top of that they work perfectly with the Xbox Series X. They are expensive but they are worth It in the end. I use a lot the dac of the unity so is nice to have it within reach.
I did try the USB version of the AUDEZE back many years ago and after 30mins of gaming my head felt it was going to fall off due to the weight but dang the sound out of the 100mm planar was amazing.
The Arctis Pro wicked cushions are too big for the Novas. I swapped mine over and theyre really baggy - they sound awful. Wicked Cushions are a rip off anyway - these things cost a couple of dollars to make. I bought some generic black ones from that are exactly the same quality/look/feel (honestly I'd be very surprised if they DID NOT come from the same factory) for less than 7 USD on Thailand's equivalent of Amazon. Yeah Wicked Cushions are kinda good - sound a bit leaky but the comfort compensates somewhat, but Jesus, they are SERIOUSLY overpriced.
Compared to a wired nova pro, how would you place it?
Is there any wired gaming headset that would be superior in this price range or cheaper?
Keep these Audeze Maxwell videos coming! You’re becoming my most viewed channel these last couple days.
I think of the stock ear pads ANC issue for the Novas like that drip torture where a drop just keeps falling on you making it more and more irritable.
I own the Steel Series Arctis Pro 9 and the basic default mic is terrible just as he shows, BUT the windows steel series sonar is fantastic and highly recommend it. I also use a Blue Snowball mic
Just preordered them! Thanks Techne! The only Audio-Nerd I trust! I trust no "audiophiles" as they seem to pull their opinion out their ass. But you, your opinion is always legit!
Or we know what we're talking about. ;)
I have Sennheiser HD800, Hifiman Arya, Audeze LCD-X, Audeze Mobius, Focal Elex, Astro A40 and other headphones - and yet, I still love to game on the Nova Pro Wireless and with the new gamedac. They are exceptional for the money.
Care to explain why?
@@itscoolthough419 Everything is very simple. The man bought these headphones blindly, trusting reviews and not his own ears. I bought with my own ears, listened to headphones and sound amplifiers in an audio store, and I know what it sounds like. He also didn’t say through what source he listens to the headphones, or what sound amplifier, this is very important, since a budget sound amplifier will not provide great sound. Focal Elex - light-sounding headphones, weak bass, flat mids. The headphones sound similar to the Sennheiser ones, which have weak bass. Sennheiser are smooth or light sounding headphones, while Beyerdynamic are dark or neutral with a warm undertone. That's why I like Beyerdynamic better than Sennheiser. Now about his next headphones. The Sennheiser HD800 and Audeze LCD-X have smooth and neutral sound with high resolution audio, with weak bass, and this sound seems dull because these headphones are designed for listening to sounds, not music. You pay more attention to the sounds than to the music in general, and in games these headphones give you sounds in a realistic and detailed way, which makes listening to the game boring, very boring. HiFiMAN Arya is an old version, they are not sold in stores, and I have not listened to them. I can’t say about HiFiMAN Arya, but I looked at them in the review about HiFiMAN Arya Organic on the Soundnews channel, where they say that HiFiMAN Arya Organic is an improved version of Arya and Arya Stealth. Given that the Arya didn't have impressive sound and the Sennheiser HD800 sounded much better than the HiFiMAN Arya, I'm guessing that the HiFiMAN Arya in the game also doesn't provide the surround and emotional sound that the SteelSeries Nova Pro does. SteelSeries Nova Pro and Audeze Maxwell sound emotional, interesting, and SteelSeries Nova Pro has more bass, and therefore he likes SteelSeries Nova Pro more. If he listens to the HiFiMAN Arya Organic and the FiiO K19 amplifier, then he won't want to listen to the SteelSeries Nova Pro. HiFiMAN Arya Organic is very interesting to listen to games. HiFiMAN Arya Organic have a neutral and bright sound with the highest sound resolution and cool bass. The sound is emotional, lively, clear, airy and has great bass. In games you can hear surround, large-scale, clear and airy sound. Listen through my nickname to how games sound through HiFiMAN Arya Organic and FiiO K19. The SteelSeries Nova Pro, Audeze Maxwell are not capable of delivering such high-end sound, and the Sennheiser HD800 and Audeze LCD-X do not sound as emotional or have as much bass as the HiFiMAN Arya Organic, and therefore are not suitable for gaming.
I’ve had my audeze maxwells 2 weeks and I’m now looking to return them. They keep dropping the signal when I’m sat next to my pc, not once, but consistently dropping connection. The wifi range in general is considerably worse than my previous A50’s so now I am going to try the Nova Pro’s
Very thorough review. Thank you.
I wonder, does the two channel Bluetooth matter? And how much are the wicked cushions now for the Audeze?
Thanks. Just the exact video I was looking for.
LETS GO!! Get some Maxwells! Both are solid headsets. Keep in mind wicked cushions are going to be available on the Maxwells too.
We really need an "Arctis nova 9". Basically an arctis nova 7 with the battery swap system from the nova pro (just get us a wall adapter charger no need for that equalizer station/gamedac).
Also no need for active noise cancelling
@The Techne
Can you say which provided better audio footstep positioning?
Would you say that the maxwell is on par with wired headphones? Got the senheiser pc38x and I've considered doing wireless but I felt like wired headphones provided a better sound. Your description on the audio for the maxwell got me thinking lol
Similar boat, have the Beyerdynamic Tygr 300r and I’ve been looking for a wireless pair
@@c0vant693 i don't mind the cable if i get better audio. but if i can get similar audio wirelessly sign me up
To my ears the Audeze Penrose sounds much better than Sennheiser Game one, Sennheiser/Epos Game one and Epos H6 Pro
Had the penrose for a while and ended up selling them. Sound was amazing but they felt incomplete. Have always Mained Arctis pros wireless and since the release Arctis nova pro wireless. I always felt that Arctis are the best for fps games but the immersion for open world games could be better. Just ordered the maxwell and plan to primarily use them for open world rpg games and use nova pro for fps. Going to compare both for all types of games and will answer any questions by this time next week
@@DoxArbso?? Peops are still waiting for ur answer more than year lster :D
Seen you multiple times when researching for new tech and always been satisfied with your videos! Earned my sub!
Is there still no eq for the maxwell? And if it does can you make a video about them?
Just got 3 days ago the nova pro, but now I'm considering returning them and getting the Maxwell, what u guys recommend me? I want more bass on my games.
Bought my Nova Pro (Xbox version) at Best Buy just a few days ago at $306 but, after watching several videos now on this channel and elsewhere, am sorely tempted to return the Nova Pro to the store and wait for the Xbox version of the Maxwell. Guess I'll go back to using my A50s until then.
100% do that. Novas wouldn’t be much of a step up from the a50s but the maxwells definitely would be.
@@bullymaquire8797 I'll likely take the Nova Pro back to BB tomorrow. Played with them again today and still feel I want more from the audio quality, so fingers crossed that the Maxwells scratch that itch for me (once the Xbox version is out and I can find one).
@@jacquesgudehey man I'm in your same exact boat. Did the maxwells scratch that itch? I dig my nova pros I just got but felt they could be better audio wise. Please reply!
@@bowman9197 Hey there. They absolutely did scratch the itch. As I noted, I had tried the Nova Pro wireless as a possible replacement for my Astro A50 headset. The Nova were, in my opinion, overhyped. I absolutely love the Maxwell (xbox version). That said, your mileage may vary as all of our ears are different.
@@jacquesgude thank you!
The Maxwell Xbox version are $330 versus the PlayStation version which are $300.
I’ve always preferred the sound of my Penrose X versus the Nova Pro…so likely I’ll jump over to the Maxwell once the Xbox version is released.
Thank you for this thoughtful comparison
Hey Techne. Enjoying the H6Pro thanks to you. Should I consider to change to the Maxwell in terme of sound quality? Thank you so much
man I love the h6 pro, but we are talking wired vs wireless here, also twice the $
Just got the Maxwells today and game with it for 12hr straight and trust me it get really spicy, getting the wicked to replace the muffs but overall the sound and software and quality is 🔥 so I do not regret getting it. Can’t wait to try the new wicked cushion!
Did you get the wicked and what are your thoughts?
@@revolversntulips I got the wicked and it helped a lot because the heat was reduced quite alot
Just ordered my Maxwells today. Can't wait to try them out.
hey mate, how is it? I just ordered mine
@2000NRJ so, up front. I returned mine after a bit of use. They are heavy on my head I didn't think it would bother me, but for long game sessions, it did. They sound as good as advertised. But I had to switch because of the weight, which even saying that sounds funny to me. I tried to get use to them for about a month and decided they weren't for me.
@@bobby7975 Good thing that you can return them though. They're an amazing pair of headset for the price and worth trying to see if the weight doesn't bother you.
@bobby7975, how was the sound quality in gaming, at least?
@DarkRPhantom007 I'm no audiophile but I thought it's probably the best I've tried.
Is the app useful for the ps5? Or is it just for the pc? I have a pair of beoplay portals and the app definitely tweaks things even for console gaming. Though its not that great settings wise. Im really looking for a headset that has a good noise cancelling microphone which maxwell clearly shows. Would be nice to see the app isnt useless though.
Top tier review. Thank you!
And that mic sound on the Maxwell wow.
Which headsets are your personal favourite for gaming, Music and Streaming netflix, Prime video or Apple tv. I means which ones are good for all types of device even mobile devices and are wireless only
Bought my steelseries arctis pro and only been using it for 3 days and i can only hear statis it's weird and i was thinking of audeze maxwell , thank god i found this video. Thanks!
Ayo hello. I want some opinions. I want a gaming headset under 100€ , for ps4 and phone...I have now 3d pulse but they aren't so comfortable so I will sell them. Is it worth to buy blackshark v2 or something else?
Hey Techne, thanks for all of your effort u do and we really appreciate ur amazing work here🌹
I have an inquiry about the Maxwell Playstation version, on their website they say the Maxwell now is getting an update on their warehouse stock, now for those stock out there that didn't get the update, are they getting the update also by their app or smth, and what is the update about is it that important?, Cuz i prefer to wait and buy an updated one rather than picking up the one in my local store which didn't get the update.
Thank u so much.
Hey, with stuff like this you should ask the store or audeze directly. Good luck
How the hell would he know? You expect him to contact Audeze on your behalf to ask them? You should be emailing Audeze with that question, not a youtuber - use some common sense man
I just bought the Arctis Nova 7x and when the battery is 25% or lower it makes a sound EVERY 5 MINUTES. Is it normal? 25% battery is still 9,5 hours of battery, but that repeating sound makes the headset unusable until I charge it.
Do you think the lack of adjustment will make them less prone to the traditional breaking point?
Yes I do. Along with that headband keeping everything in place and limited movement, so the user doesn’t have to adjust frequently if ever
if the Maxwell’s had a way to be able to have one headset work with both their PlayStation and Xbox dongles I’d consider them, but they don’t so Nova Pro Wireless all the way
Also I have read on their website that each version of the headset will not function the same on the other console , so the Xbox version will not be fully guaranteed to function the same on PS
They have the Xbox version that work with all platforms and they sound awesome
I bought the WC leather pads (same as the stock ones not the ones his showing) not because of the nub, and tbh i really need to press hard to even feel the nub. The WC pads are good but the stock ones feel more comfy and softer, at least for me. And you can hear that the anc works better with the stock pads. But thats just my head and ears, could be different on your ears. I have a lot of headsets, but the nova pro beats every last one of them, sound - mic- comfort - battery - software all at its best. If you would buy a new headset for gaming this is the one to buy. This is best channel for headset reviews. Love your vids✌
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Love your great and honest reviews (y)
Looking for advice. I purchased the nova 7 X, and I returned them. I thought the sound wasn’t good. I only use the headsets for gaming, and talking to clients via pc, and listening to tutorials, webinars and other general developer work. Are the Maxwell the best for this, or any other recommendations. They must be wireless
Yes
I dont need simultaneous Bluetooth but I need my notification sounds coming through from the phone while i am gaming. Does that work with the maxwell?
I bought the Wicked Cushions for my Nova Wireless Pro. They were a game changer. I didn’t realize how much the stock cushions made my ears hurt.
So you could actually use the Audeze as headphones for your cellphone and not need to be connected to your computer?
hm is the Audeze Maxwell better than a Headset with a cable? :)
How's the volume compared to the Penrose. I heard the Penrose was loud and the Maxwell is lower.
Should the Audeze maxwells be used with the Dolby Atmos app for better sound or just left stock as is for games?
The simaltaneous Bluetooth usage and the DAC is why I bought the Nova Pro Wireless. After using them for around 4 months I cant praise the headset enough. Soooo worth the money.
wdym simaltaneius bluetooth usage?
@@kavid8120 Means you can use it for Xbox and your phone for example you get a phone call or want to listen to music you can on the phone while also still connected to the Xbox
Getting the maxwell this week, cant wait! 😁
Where do you get your hats from ? I been trying to order some nice plain ones
@OFFICIALTHETECHNE.. I don't have telegram . Is it a website or they custom ?
How does Maxwell compare to Sony's Inzone H7/H9 models? Will Maxwell be OMG-upgrade?
Do you have foil sound in them?
just people say that after a while. they start to creak, because of this I'm afraid to take them, for that kind of money, I wanted to take audeze maxwell for games, but now I'm thinking ...
Curious on what you decided to go with
Took Maxwell, 2 days later there was noise in my right ear, refunded my money and took SteelSeries @@Schleiff93
Do maxwell wireless gaming headset work with all platforms xbox,pc,switch,PlayStation ? I mean wireless
Picked up the Nova pro Wireless when they were first released. I picked up the Xbox Version so I could use with my PS5 as well as XSX. However when I use them with the PS5 I get frequent popping sounds as well as distorted audio noises. I also sometimes get a continuous screeching noise that will not go away unless I turn off and then turn back on the headset. I have tried using a different USB-c cable as well as changing some of the interior settings such as from speed to range. Curious if you ran into any of these issues with your Nova Pro wireless on PS5? Tried contacting SteelSeries and they were not much help. Because off your recommendation I did pick up the Penrose for PS5 and loved them except for the range of the dongle. Now I got the Mawxell's and I love them. Keep up the great content.
Place your dac not to close to your ps5. That solves your issue.
@@rumble6936 thanks i'll give it a shot
On your Nova dock, use the USB port not Xbox port for PS5. You might also need to disable side tone when using your Novas with ps5. I have the nova pro wired for xbox and no issues on ps5. However I disabled sidetone on my maxwells as this has quite a lot of static popping. I hope this helps.
I have multiple people gaming in my room / lot of sound going on, which one should i pick?
Can you use 2 Maxwell headsets on the same pc at the same time? Thanks
I’ve had my Novas for a year now and they static and my mic cuts out. I am so done with them and from this video I will be switching to Maxwell.
How's the audio playing COD? Would you say you have an advantage with one or the other with hearing footsteps, etc.?
for COD footsteps I recommend turning up the midrange on a $20 pair of earbuds
I just got the SteelSeries Nova Pros for $300 on a Black Friday sale on their website. I also went ahead and pre-ordered the wicked cushions for them so that I don’t have to deal with the discomfort. With that being said, would you recommend me keeping them over the Maxwells or just get the Maxwells and return the Nova Pros?
How do the maxwells sound vs the lcd-gx? I just got the gx wish I could have tried the maxwells first.
On Maxwell, Can you use it simultaneously wired on PC and bluetooth on another device ? Actually hearing both sources at once ?
Yes, but only wired. Not with the dongle
Been looking for some ANG gaming headset with Planar Magnetic Drivers .... any suggestions
I have them both and although I know most people see this as a slam dunk for the Maxwell, it really depends on how you use them. In your review, you always gave the win to Maxwell on the obvious segments but you didn't do the Nova justice on the simultaneous Bluetooth. That is HUGE and something he Maxwell simply can't do and the Nova does it seamlessly. But I think on the overall you are dead on. You just can't goup against the Maxwell at that price point. Best scenario is a person can have both and use situationally.
Great comparison, thanks!
Can you tell me which of the 2 sounds louder on ps5?
I tried the nova pro wireless and some story games lacked volume.
Did you confirm that you are in EU while setup? - This will limit max volume.
Can't imagine that they are not loud enough, this was always a pain point for me with other headsets, the novas get plenty loud
@@patzl "Outside the EU" because it limits the volume I think to 85 decibels, I lied ;)
For example, on PS5 TLOU the volume had to be almost maxed out compared to my old artics pro wireless at 60-70%. Same in other story games.
I prefer to notice that there is plenty of power than always being at the maximum of the headset.
@@alvarotorres6129 It was probly a setting in the DAC. I have the OG Arctis Pro and there is a "gain" option, so when that is switched to low the volume is significantly weaker than when it's on high. And if you didn't adjust the EQ then it would have been on the flat profile which is pretty low in volume. Idk if they still have the "smiley" option but that was a good start
After watching so, so ,so many videos about the nova pro wireless I finally bought some now sadly they have yet to arrive despite the websites promise to deliver in 1 day but I cant wait to see how it stacks up, I am for the moment using my mostly broken AKG K371, which have knockoff replacement pads because akg doesnt have spart parts, and I'd be on the third replacement cable by now after just a bit over a year of ownership which is just a huge disappointment. Although I do have to ask, are the wicked cushions really a big improvement on the steelseries comfort and sound?
ANPW blow the K371 out of the water. In Audio circles, the K371 is seen as the modern successor to the DT 770 Pro which I fully disagree with. Besides the cheap build quality and low comfort of the K371, the sound is nothing special. I would say they compete right on par with DT 770 and they will be preference. I own both, along with HD 560S and Edition XS. All amp'd etc. ANPW in my opinion would be an upgrade for you in sound quality and precision. The K371 has HORRIBLE gaming performance in terms of direction/imaging. ANPW are very impressive in that regard and can bring up details and multiple sounds layering in a very clear way.
@@drewmorg. Well this comment is certainly making my patience thin, really cant wait to see what it holds now.
@@donramax4409 if I were you I would not think twice and go straight to the Maxwell for best audio performance. They are a steal at $300 with a great mic (superior to ANPW). The musical qualities of the ANPW were Good+ not Great, not Amazing... it's a refined version of the sound you have already heard while the Maxwell has the chance to elevate your sound to a new level. Even their last gen Penrose were already seen as the hands down "best" sound quality headset even above ANPW. This is a no brainer unless you NEED one of the features on ANPW. To top it off the Maxwell is cheaper. Don't think, buy.
@drewmorg I wish I could but at the moment it's completely sold out or severely marked up, when it becomes available I'll definitely see if I can get my hands on it
I had the nova. The mic was very noticeably bad. And therefore I'm going for the maxwell. But the replaceable battery was AMAZING, simply an unforgettable feature. Also being able to run 2 instances of sound. But that's not a deal breaker for me.
Is there a wired jack headset as good or better than the Maxwell in video games?
Do the Maxwell's work with Xbox and PS5 how the Xbox version of the Nova pros works for both the Xbox and PS5 ?
no 😞
Maxwell Xbox version works on all platforms
@@teeknowstechso why is there a PS version? I have a ps5 and PC. Can a singlr maxwell be used for both?
Great review but I have just got steel series arctic nova pro wired. I am not sure whether it is worth getting Maxwell now. oh my,
100% yes
i have the Audeze Maxwells over the SS feel like they are both really good headsets, but i feel that the steel series would be more worth it if i was on PC and able to get the steelseries gg app. the fact that the Audeze sound amazing out of the box and they have app as well so i went with the Audeze.
So you're saying the nova pros are better for pc games?
I recently picked up the NPW coming from the gen 3 A50s. Ill be honest i like the features but im really considering returning them and sticking with the A50s until something better comes along. The WC pads did help but even tuning it to accommodate the new pads the sound quality im unsure if its a upgrade or just a even replacement. I guess it didn't wow me for the cost. I find the A50s more comfortable also. Im still in my 14d return window from BB so a bit more playing around but odds are ill return them.
Are you me?
@@ensomniac I take it your experience was very similar
Yo Dean, so what did you end up with? I also purchased the Nova Pros and returned them because I wasn’t satisfied with the sound quality. My Turtle Beach Gen 2 Max had better game audio in my opinion. So I just bought the Maxwells from their site last week! I’ll be receiving them sometime this month! Can’t wait.
@@Warship63 i did return the Nova. Thus far i haven't made any purchases. Im leaning towards the Maxwell's but im getting so many mixed reviews on the soundstage with positional audio. I dont play competitive but i do play games where knowing the direction of a sound is important. Do let me know how they perform in that area when they arrive.
@@Gamer_Dad14 will do! One big reason I bought the Maxwells is because I’m fascinated with this while “Planar Magnetic” drivers! Hopefully they don’t disappoint.
Seeing these comments, I feel really disappointed about buying the Nova Pro Wireless. I bought them a month ago and was so excited, but now apparently this Maxwell is sooo much better. I can't return the ANPW either. Are the Maxwell's really that much better? I'm not sure I like the lack of ANC...I guess the splitter with my TV would be a benefit the Maxwell doesn't have.
can you answer phone calls w the audeze via bluetooth? is that just something the SS do or? i like that feature the most as well as swappable batteries. those are 2 of the most important functions to me. i have to be able to answer and not miss calls while gaming. the ss allow me to do that. the swap is also a very convenient feature as your never out of the game or wired. i remember the turtle beach px5 was the first to offer all of that in a headset then they took it away. the px5 took aa batteries which i just bought rechargeable batteries and swapped them out when needed. essentially the same feature. they also had bluetooth to answer phone calls as well. good vid though
Yes. Wen you play a game it will switch to phone. You will lose game noice tho.. so that was anoying to me
I wanna know if they fixed the penrose problem, where the pressure inside the ear cups creases the planar magnetic drivers and then you hear the crinkle/crackle noise when moving your head around.
So the Maxwell is much much better when it comes to sound and immerse you into games. Got it! Thank you! I've been digging around for a few days now, and I'll choose the maxwell. Thanks.
I love your videos !! Greetings from chile !!!
I've learned so much from you.
Great video man