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[Pre Order] Audeze Maxwell Wireless Planar Headset Base/PS Version $469, Xbox Version $519 Delivered @ Addicted to Audio

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For those who weren't keen on the connectivity of the Audeze Penrose, this is a huge step forward. Refined version of the driver (90mm down from 100mm, but the active diaphragm measurement is the same), all new enclosure and headband, and everything has switched over to Bluetooth LE Audio as the backbone, which drives up both audio quality and battery life, while driving down latency.

Please do wait for good audiophile/headphone reviews to get a sense of overall quality for the price, but these should be live long before the mid-January February fulfillment date. The Xbox version is $50 more for Dolby certification and the different dongle, but it will also work on PlayStation via a switch on said dongle. Tuning will apparently be slightly different between the two to reflect the console they are intended for.

This is likely to set a new standard in this space, and is something of a portent for where mid-fi audio can aim for going forward, including stepping into the gaming space, which has largely been a complete joke to this point. Rest assured if you can't shell out $500 for this, prices will soften, but more importantly many headphone companies will release revisions of well-regarded headphones utilising this leap forward for Bluetooth tech. Check out CES news in 2 weeks for any headphone product launches there.

Features:

  • 80hr+ Battery Life with Fast Charge for All Day Play in 20 min
  • Ultra-Low Latency Wireless with 3X Range of Traditional 2.4Ghz
  • First-in-Class Bluetooth 5.3 supports LE Audio, LC3plus, LDAC
  • Embedded Dolby Atmos® License (Xbox version only, hence the $50 extra)
  • All-New Reinforced Chassis Built with Aluminum and Steel
  • Shure detachable boom mic with Audeze FILTER™ Noise Reduction Technology for Clear Commuications
  • Award-winning Audeze 90mm Planar Magnetic Drivers
  • USB-C Digital Audio
  • 3.5mm Analog Audio

Pros over the Penrose:

  • Wireless is a lot better (audio, mic, range, battery life, likely lower latency)
  • Charging time
  • Sturdier build
  • Likely better housing for the headphone driver (less planar crinkle)
  • Likely more comfortable
  • USB wired audio (i.e. you can use its DAC/amp)

Cons:

  • No simultaneous Bluetooth + Wireless (i.e. they're using the same protocol now, and the chip prices would be too expensive, range/battery too short, etc)
  • Dongles are not interchangeable between models (i.e. you cannot buy an XBox dongle down the line for the base model)

Outside of sales for the AKG K371 (non-BT, for now) and the Drop x Dan Clark Aeon Closed X, this is probably one of the best value closed back headphones on the market right now. Enjoy!

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closed Comments

  • -4
    • "Ultra low latency" for gaming
    • Bluetooth

    Pick one

    • +1

      Newer bluetooth technology is much better than the older stuff.

    • +1

      You might want to look into LC3 and LC3Plus codec before you come in here with this hot take: they both have low latency modes. The entire headset is built around using those modes. Previous 2.4 GHz wireless was also built around (often poorly) modified bluetooth codecs, so not exactly sure what you were thinking really.

      Without the dongle though, you will need related codec support from the device you're connecting to (eg. Snapdragon Sound, Bluetooth LC3/LC3 Plus low latency support).

  • +1

    Weight 490g

    That is one heavy headset

    • They will have balanced the weight well enough, so it shouldn't be an issue for anyone but a small child. Really not much of a difference from larger planar headphones, and those don't have bluetooth.

      Something like the LCD-XC is 677g, and that would be the next tier of closed back audio value at over $1500.

      • True, plus being wireless it wouldn't be so bad.

        Need to see some reviews first though, comfort plays a massive role for me as so many have small earcups and absolutely kill my ears after 20 minutes.
        I recently got the MMX 300 2nd gen so they are my so far my favorite closed gaming headset (PC38x for open) both are extremely comfortable and sound great imo.

  • +3

    had the penrose, after 2 years they broke i got sent a replacement, after the 1st year when a beta furnware update bricked the headset, amazing headset for sound downside ive only had is walking away it disconnects easy, customer service was flawless,

    • Yeah I saw a few people complaining about various Penrose issues when I posted deals, but I could tell very few of them were genuinely engaged with customer support.

      Glad you were able to accept and work through the technical limitations of what Audeze were angling for!

  • Ah forget all this. Get the audeze lcd 5. I listened to them on demo. Amazing. You want to listen to all the music in the world with them

    • If you're up at that price point you should probably be also looking at the Susvara, the RAAL SR-1a, the RAAL CA-1a, at least from an open back perspective.

      I'm hearing that the HIFIMAN HE-1000 v2 Stealth edition pushes extremely close to the Susvara from a technical standpoint. So current summit-fi seems to be dropping down to the $3000 mark instead of $6000.

      There's also the Audeze MM-500, which seems to largely be an LCD-X 2021 with the LCD-5 tuning. That'd be the 'budget' take on your recommendation.

      • Yes I don't have the budget though. I was kidding. You are right. The susvara is in the same league. Did you listen to them side by side? The lcd 5 is better than the susvara. Esp in terms of sub bass

        • I would agree, but mids are so critical for a headphone, and that's where the Susvara will nail things better. Soundstage and imaging better on the Susvara too.

          Both are a weak value proposition for me though, that's a price range where I would rather invest in a home theatre setup that can pump out studio-grade audio.

    • Wired.

  • +8

    audeze nuts

    • +7

      merry christmas everyone

  • is this really a deal? its around the RRP i read when these got announced.

    • It represents value in the current audio space. It's a bluetooth headphone that walks all over anything available right now.

      Unless you're madly obsessed with ANC benefits, why would you buy anything from Sony, Sennheiser, Boss, AKG, and others in the same price range? That question might have a very different answer in 2 months, but not right now.

      • Fair enough, I was definitely interested to see some reviews.

        I still use my 12yr old wired A40s into the xbox chat adapter for the controller. Tried my hifimans in this setup but volume wasnt there and the footsteps in COD are much clearer on the Astros.

        I have been considering a wireless option, and even thought my A40 kit (the old wireless setup with the base station and the hockey puck receiver thing that you had to plug in to your controller/headset) costing about $4-500 when I imported them before Astro had any local distribution, I think these are bit expensive.

        but Im still getting value for money out of my original headset, even if I dont use the Astro Tx/Rx stuff anymore.

  • +1

    I put my order in a couple days ago after first hearing about them in the steelseries nova deal before that. Risky without reviews but pumped regardless. Eta is Jan 18th

    • +1

      Glad you noticed! :)

      I'm sure reviews will be out here before we get stock, so cancellation is always on the cards subject to AtA policy.

  • Ooh. Ordered, cheers!

  • +2

    Got semi burned by Penrose, particularly after finding out the xbox version works with the ps. I'll probably keep the Penrose because it's usable and actually a good headset, just that it promised a bit more than it delivered. I'll be keeping my eye on this one.

  • +2

    Id tread carefully for anybody tempted to buy this "deal".

    Penrose were historically known for QC issues, most of these issues are just "quirks" of the headset.

    • I had a chat to the staff at Addicted to Audio who were fairly confident that they will address everything. I’ve been on the fence about ordering given the cost and it’s an unknown model with no reviews yet.

      The Penrose models are going entirely and being essentially replaced with Maxwell. I think it’s fair to say they are aware of previous production issues and have very much sought to address them this time around.

      The Audeze team have been communicating in reddit and the headfi forums about the model too so I think they’re really standing by the product.

      I felt confident enough to order after chatting to ATA staff anyway. I guess there’s time to cancel the order if early US reviews say it’s a complete lemon.

      • +1

        Interested to hear your experience. They've burnt the bridge with me as I would've preferred the original $400 headset not be a beta test for a product they're now standing by.

        • +1

          Fair enough. That definitely sucks.
          I wouldn’t be wanting to shell out a second time either.

        • +1

          Yeah, I received my preorder Penrose in December 2020 and the last firmware update was released in December 2021, with numerous things that had been talked about still not addressed. It's still a very good headset, but i'm certainly not spending $400+ every couple of years based on how they handled this. If they offered a 50% off upgrade i'd consider it.

          • @Arsenal: Didnt know that was the last time i updated. This alone should be reason enough to not trust this brand.

  • +1

    Delayed to mid Feb

    • is that just australia or the global launch? was eager to watch some reviews before pulling the trigger on this purchase

      • No idea, got the email this morning from the seller.

        • Global, as it turns out.

      • Seems to be happening globally.

        • Shame Audeze has almost no marketing or social relations to relay such things.

          • @Mums Poop Sock: Well known amongst upper-end audiophiles, but it's a 30-person company with some WFH marketing/social types, I think.

  • Which version should I get for PC gaming?

    • If you have no intention of ever using them with an XBox, get the Playstation model. Both work fine with a PC, and the Dolby licencing compatibility with the XBox does not extend to Windows/Mac.

      Not worth it for the Dolby software anyway: Windows Sonic is fantastic for video, and games that are tuned for 3D audio have their own systems.

  • Thank you! Now just need Addicted To Audio to get them in… 😅

  • Cancelled my order out of principal. A company that lies to its customers does it deserve my money.

    • They're in the process of shipping globally… PS model will be getting to AU people around first week of March.

      Some solid reviews already online.

      • +1

        They would have been out earlier but they had all stock come to the audeze hq so they could manually update them bro you only had to wait a few weeks the reviews have been amazing and i honestly cant wait

  • +1

    Finally a shipping notification from Addicted!

    • +1

      Hearing good things about all the improvements vs the Penrose, enjoy!

    • So it’s officially shipped? I had a pre order but haven’t heard anything yet

      • +1

        Yeh ETA is tomorrow apparently

  • Any word on Xbox version availability?

    • +1

      They are still waiting on Microsoft accreditation to permit the chip and the "made for Xbox" statement on the box. Whilst they can't give guarantees they were hoping to have this signed this month.

    • +2

      Xbox certification was confirmed as approved by Audeze 12 hours ago, so we should see some action on this front over the next 2 weeks.

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