![[Pre Order] Audeze Maxwell Wireless Planar Headset Base/PS Version $469, Xbox Version $519 Delivered @ Addicted to Audio](https://files.ozbargain.com.au/n/31/746831.jpg?h=968261b3)
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!
Pick one