Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC Hands-On Review: First Impressions

I attended the Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC launch event in London. This post contains my honest first impressions after hands-on testing at the event. This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions are my own.

Yesterday, I attended the launch of the Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC in London. I went in curious. I left genuinely impressed.

Here's the thing. I love great audio. I'm less enthusiastic about the typical gaming headset aesthetic — the sharp angles, the plastic, the RGB. The Maxwell 2 ANC are different. It looks and feels like a premium pair of headphones. Understated. Refined. The kind of design that makes you want to pick them up.

And once you do, the sound keeps you there.

The Event

Audeze held the launch at a private space in London, with a presentation on the Maxwell 2 ANC followed by hands-on testing. We also had the chance to listen to Audeze's high-end reference headphones — the kind that cost several thousand dollars — and honestly, that alone was worth the trip. The sound quality from those flagship models is simply unbelievable.

But the main event was the Maxwell 2 ANC.

Design and Comfort: Not Your Typical Gaming Headset

From the moment I picked them up, these felt like a premium pair of headphones first. The build quality is phenomenal. The materials feel expensive without being flashy. The finish is clean and mature — no aggressive angles, no shiny plastic, no RGB overload.

They sit on your head with a reassuring weight — not heavy, but substantial enough to feel like a serious piece of audio equipment. The ear cups are exceptionally comfortable. I wore them for a good while during the testing session and could easily imagine wearing them for hours at home.

The fit was perfect on my head. No clamping pressure, no awkward gaps. Just a solid, comfortable seal that helped with both sound isolation and the ANC performance.

Sound Quality: Planar Magnetic Delivers

Audeze is known for planar magnetic drivers, and the Maxwell 2 ANC uses a full planar magnetic system with their SLAM technology for deeper, more controlled bass. During the gaming demo, the sound was genuinely impressive.

Footsteps, environmental details, directional audio — everything felt precise and well-placed. The bass had weight without being boomy, and the mids were clear.

We also listened to the Audeze high-end reference headphones in the same session, which was both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because it reminded me what truly world-class audio sounds like.

ANC: The Real Standout

The active noise cancellation is, really good. In the demo room, which had a fair amount of background noise and chatter, the ANC cut through it almost completely.

What impressed me most was that it didn't affect the positional audio. The Maxwell 2 ANC kept everything precise. That's a genuine technical achievement, and it's probably the single biggest reason someone would choose this over the standard Maxwell 2.

Features and Connectivity

The Maxwell 2 ANC supports simultaneous wired and Bluetooth audio, AI-controlled ANC parameters. It connects to PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch, as well as macOS, Android, and iOS.

One nice touch: the interchangeable ReSkin ear cups. Audeze is offering limited edition designs, so you can change the look of your headset without buying a whole new pair. It's a small thing, but it adds to the sense that this is a product built to last and evolve.

Pricing and Positioning

The Maxwell 2 ANC is priced at $429 (around £400) for the PlayStation version and $449 for the Xbox version . That's premium territory — no question. But you're paying for planar magnetic drivers, class-leading ANC, a design that doesn't look like a gaming headset, and genuinely impressive build quality.

If you're a serious gamer who also cares about music and wants one headset that does both well, the Maxwell 2 ANC makes a strong case for itself. If you only game casually and mostly use your headphones for music, there are cheaper options that will serve you well. But if you want the best wireless gaming audio Audeze has ever made — with ANC that genuinely works — this is it.

Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC — Technical Specifications

Audio

Style	Over-ear (circumaural), closed-back
Transducer type	Planar Magnetic
Magnetic structure	Fluxor™ magnet array
Transducer size	90 mm
Frequency response	10Hz - 50kHz
Maximum SPL	>115dB
THD	<0.1% @ 100dB
Spatial Audio	Dolby Atmos® / Tempest 3D
ANC	Up to 35dB, Transparency Mode
Weight	560g

Microphones

Boom Microphone	Detachable, Hypercardioid
Beamforming	Physical and AI noise reduction, Internal mic for chat

Power

Battery type	Lithium-polymer, 1800mAh
Battery life	ANC ON: 40hr, ANC OFF: 35hr
Fast charge	USB-C, 25% charge in 20min (Full charge 2hr)

Connection

Wireless	USB-C, Ultra-low latency
Bluetooth	5.3 — Auracast, LE Audio, LC3, LC3plus, LDAC, AAC, SBC, Multipoint
Wired (Digital)	USB-C with dual-audio endpoints and game-chat mix
Wired (Analog)	3.5mm TRRS active

Final Thoughts

I came to the London launch curious. I left genuinely impressed.

The Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC isn't just a gaming headset with noise cancellation added. It feels like a premium pair of headphones that happens to excel at gaming — and that's a rare combination. The ANC is great. The design is grown-up. The comfort is there for long sessions. And the planar magnetic sound is everything you'd expect from Audeze.

I'll need more time with them in my own home to write a full review — different games, different sources, real-world ANC testing on a noisy street rather than a demo room. But based on what I heard and felt yesterday, the Maxwell 2 ANC is one of the most impressive gaming audio products I've had my hands on.

If you're in the market for a premium wireless gaming headset and you don't want to compromise on sound or design, this should be near the top of your list. Visit: Audeze.com

— Jerome

Why You Can Trust This Review

I spent over 20 years working in sound roles in the entertainment industry. I've been reviewing headphones, earbuds, and audio gear for over a decade on Dapper & Groomed — always focusing on real-world listening, not just spec sheets.

This is a hands-on first impression based on testing at the London launch event. It is not a full review.