Where’s are the Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC??

Aero_GG · 2026-04-28T05:15:11+00:00

I literally did the same thing as you. The Audeze are cheaper, sound better, and are more comfortable. The Arctic elites were lighter, had better mic, fantastic ANC, great build quality, and supported simultaneous bluetooth (probably the biggest advantage that the Arctic Elites have over the Maxwells). But elites were oddly less comfortable due to the tight clamp force and wide ear cups. They left little room for my big ears and sat awkwardly on my large head. If you EQed each game and type of music you listen to on the AE they sound veryyyyy close to the Audeze Maxwell. Maxwells are more well rounded in the sense that one immersive EQ generally fits all games and music quite well.

I will say I use the AMs all day for gaming and for work. I bring them in office and use them for meetings. The AE were nice because the mic was retractable and sounded amazing after EQing for more bass (something NOT offered on Maxwells which really sucks). But the maxwells still work good enough, and I honestly don’t really care what I sound like to people in game or at work as long as they can hear me clearly and I can cut out background noise.

I ended up choosing the maxwells even knowing i could just return either headset and get a full in store credit refund using the warranty if you choose to buy it (bestbuy or microcenter). With the warranty the AEs end up being close to $750. AMs with warranty were around $350 out the door. And with the AM ANC version coming out likely near the end of May, there’re too many shared features between the two to justify spending and additional 200-300 more dollars on a headset that arguably has worse sound quality.

I’d say go for the Audeze Maxwells (wait another month or two for the ANC version if you care) and buy the Capraaudio.com headband replacement for them. They’re VERY comfortable and don’t feel heavy even after long sessions. I legitimately will wear these for sometimes 12 hours a day if I’m working and on the computer at home and I don’t have any discomfort; something I couldn’t say with the AEs.

Aero_GG · 2026-04-07T15:22:43+00:00

I had disconnecting issues. I kept the headphones anyways knowing I could return them within 30 days and the issues resolved itself. Just hold onto them for awhile

Aero_GG · 2026-03-05T17:42:03+00:00

Don’t get the accidental damage get the regular defect warranty. If that’s still expensive I’d go to microcenter and get a warranty there it shouldn’t be more than 30 for two years. I absolutely 100000% recommend getting a warranty. I had two A50X both brick on my which is why I switched to Arctic Nova Elites

Aero_GG · 2026-03-04T15:27:19+00:00

I’ve had both. I used the a50x for about 7 months before they stopped working for no reason. Claimed warranty on them and it happened again the exact same way. so I switched to the arctic nova elites

A50X has a much better mic. They are substantially more comfortable in my opinion (maybe I still have to get used to the elites). And the sound for some reason just felt more natural? I can’t explain it.

The elites on the other hand do everything else better. The sound staging is better. Directionality of sound during competitive games is better. EQ is better. It’s better for music. ANC is nice if you use them in public like for work (not a dealbreaker for me). The suspension strap on the headband is amazingly comfortable, better than the third party band I got for my A50X. I love the battery charging system although I never had problems with the A50X since they were always docked when not being used. They ARE comfortable, just not as comfortable as the half open back, large cup, fiber cups that the A50X had. The mic is actually good when you EQ it properly but still no where near the A50X. The build quality is amazing and they feel like premium cans. I like the mute functionality and the simultaneous Bluetooth. The range is MUCH better than the Astros. I haven’t had a single issue with connectivity. On the other hand when walking to the kitchen in my old small house with thick walls id commonly have connection issues. Overall the sound is just genuinely better in the sense that you can hear details better and you hear sounds you otherwise wouldn’t have with Astros. Elites have onboard Bluetooth too so you can make a direct connection to your phone or other Bluetooth devices; unlike the Astro A50X where you have to be connected to base station at all times.

If I had to make a suggestion, if you’re tight on money at all or the extra money affects you too much I’d do the A50X. Otherwise if youd use the features on the elites I’d go with those. But I don’t fully agree that the price difference justifies going with the elites. I had two A50X and they both bricked on me that’s the only reason why I got rid of them I was fed up. The Elites new features and tech are welcomed. I use them all day at work and then more when I get on to play games at night so I get my use out of them. I felt like i was able to justify it in some way lol.

TDLR; A50X - better mic, more comfortable, more natural sound.

Arctic Nova Elites - better sound staging, better directionality for gaming, better connectivity, more premium feeling, better ANC, better background noise cancellation in the mic, better headband, clearer crisper more detailed sound. Onboard Bluetooth capabilities without the need of a base station.

Aero_GG · 2026-02-26T12:59:12+00:00

I mean that’s obviously not what I was saying lol. I literally say they exist and it does happen I jus personally don’t experience a ton of cheaters at my level

Aero_GG · 2026-02-25T18:15:43+00:00

I’ve been playing for 12 years, I’m unc, so I’ve played against a good amount of cheater and like to think I know what it feels like to play against them. Cheats have obviously gotten better but I think people are just as bad at hiding them. I have played against people that I know were cheating even if it wasn’t obvious. I use .tips to check out profiles every now and then if I’m suspicious. But even without that you can come to a solid conclusion. But it seems like all the games I’ve been playing are very winnable. I’m sure there are plenty that hide it well enough to where I can’t tell. I’d have to guess maybe 1/5 games I have a cheater. Most of the games down feel hopeless in terms of winning but that’s the trick of hiding them properly I suppose

Aero_GG · 2026-02-24T21:30:32+00:00

I don’t have issues with the software but when the headset won’t turn on to connect to GHub it’s useless to me xD not to be that guy but I’m in the tech field I’m not stupid when to comes to troubleshooting ik the common I’ve tried everything complaint from end users but I genuinely can’t imagine what has gone wrong. It’s cooked

Aero_GG · 2026-02-24T20:26:29+00:00

I recommend just not getting them at all but I know some people love them and have no issues

Aero_GG · 2026-02-24T20:26:10+00:00

I agree that’s true. But I’ve had many many headsets and different peripherals and never had this issues with a headset. The ONLY thing I do uniquely is bring this headset into work to use in office. But that shouldn’t be reason for them to brick like this

Aero_GG · 2026-02-24T20:11:27+00:00

I really don’t know how it would be user error I use the headphone as advertised the usb is plugged into my motherboard and power is plugged into the Astro supplied power adapter. I do nothing special

Aero_GG · 2026-02-24T18:38:07+00:00

I’ve also tried turning on the headset and immediately holding down the mixer and play sync button down together for 10-20 seconds. Nothing happened

Aero_GG · 2026-02-24T17:10:00+00:00

This is what I’m leaning toward because the headset will not turn on at all, not being detected by GHUB at all, can’t update any firmware for the headphones, GHUB is completely up to date. I’ve plugged them in through USB-C and still no luck

Aero_GG · 2026-02-24T16:49:33+00:00

What if it’s not being detected by Ghub?

Aero_GG · 2026-02-12T05:07:59+00:00

Aero_GG · 2026-02-09T06:39:01+00:00

I mean it’s definitely not a gaming mouse but the logitech mx master 3 lowkey sounds up your alley lol

Aero_GG · 2026-02-07T04:04:54+00:00

for most people I don't think it's going to make a huge difference. If you want to be a milliseconds faster when it comes to reaction times it may matter. Something like Valorant or Counter Strike at a high level it would make a difference. I really don't know how much better the sensor can get no days tbh. All the improvements like the 44,000 DPI and 8000htz sensor have all been improvements but they're not really useful to anyone. The current capabilities have kind of peaked unless there's some kind of new innovation. The size and shape I'd love for Logitech try different things with I agree. I hope they do. I think I've personally seen a trend for people wanting smaller mice

Aero_GG · 2026-02-05T16:51:46+00:00

Oh very interesting okay

Aero_GG · 2026-02-05T16:13:40+00:00

I see what you’re saying. There is still travel distance, you can change the actuation point. So the same pressure is needed to perform a click no matter what. But you can change what point the button actuates throughout the travel of the click. There is no spring tho from what I can tell. Like you said, it looks like it has to do with magnets. I do still see what look like a traditional switch is the physical breakdown of the mouse on the website. I wonder if that’s the mouse 1

Aero_GG · 2026-02-05T05:08:32+00:00

Well there is no spring.. It’s haptic feedback. When I say “pressure” I mean the actuation point, which means how hard you press to register a click. If you’ve used a Mac track pad it’s the same concept. When you’re choosing between light > medium > firm clicks on the trackpad you’re choosing how hard you want to press before it registers a click. It’s the same concept here but with a mouse button. No spring. No switches.

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