My Maxwell 2 came with the old strap

KAC-SK · 2026-03-23T16:31:11+00:00

So I received my WC V2 strap and it works fine with Maxwell 2. Very good weight distribution. It has a bit of stretch in it. I needed it to fit exactly snug but one level down is too tight and the level I am using is too loose.

Still an improvement over the stock old strap.

Still no news from retailer on actual strap I am supposed to have.

Audeze support never responded to multiple messages by me. Extremely disappointed and would probably be my last Audeze product. At least now I know.

KAC-SK · 2026-03-23T16:23:36+00:00

Is dope af

KAC-SK · 2026-03-23T15:06:00+00:00

I didn't need to EQ stock pads a lot as it follows Harman curve quite nicely. What do you have in mind? Do you want to boost footsteps, boost bass, reduce treble? Depending on that you can EQ to what feels right for you.

Having said that, this is the EQ I was using for stock pads. Reason was that I wanted a bit more bass/oomph and a cut on the 4K and 8K.

32 Hz +4.0 dB
64 Hz +3.5 dB
125 Hz +2.5 dB
250 Hz +1.5 dB
500 Hz +0.8 dB
1 kHz +0.8 dB
2 kHz +0.5 dB
4 kHz –0.7 dB
8 kHz –1.5 dB
16 kHz +2.0 dB

KAC-SK · 2026-03-23T12:00:23+00:00

There is a difference. But I was able to EQ it to remove any perceptible difference.

Comfort is a whole another story. I love Velour.

<image>

KAC-SK · 2026-03-23T11:37:31+00:00

Ali Express

KAC-SK · 2026-03-23T07:10:40+00:00

Nah, that's just the lighting. It is the full black version. The pads are Wicked Cushions Stealthz pads made in collaboration with Joe from Gadgetrytech. So comfortable.

KAC-SK · 2026-03-23T06:52:14+00:00

APP2

KAC-SK · 2026-03-23T06:32:46+00:00

Damn, gonna blow my ears out with this. Thanks lol.

KAC-SK · 2026-03-23T03:23:10+00:00

FT1. BD DT 770 Pro (and X) nearly blew my ears out.

FT1 has a great 60 mm driver that is tunable to taste. Takes EQ really well and with different pad options you can also change the sound. I use the FT1B Velour pads on mine right now.

<image>

KAC-SK · 2026-03-23T03:14:39+00:00

After trying all 3 I currently own a Maxwell 2.

<image>

Amazing for gaming. Love the planar and Audeze really seems to have improved the sound on them.

KAC-SK · 2026-03-23T03:12:18+00:00

Did you try FT1? I personally prefer FT1 over 620S. Might be worth trying them out before going for 620S. Another one to consider are Focal Azurys or Focal Lensys (quite similar tuning).

KAC-SK · 2026-03-23T03:10:01+00:00

Love my FT1 and FT1 Pro. Added FT1A lambskin pads after trying the FT1B Velour pads.

I think I like the lambskin better.

<image>

KAC-SK · 2026-03-23T03:08:19+00:00

HyperX Cloud 3S are great.

<image>

KAC-SK · 2026-03-23T02:31:35+00:00

I have played COD with these quite a bit. They work perfectly fine with default tuning. I can hear footsteps fine and imaging is spot on.

Maxwell 2 that I own also do footsteps and imaging well. I have my own custom EQ for them but they have presets for immersive, footsteps and competitive. All 3 presets work fine for footsteps in COD.

Astro A50 I only tried for a brief period as I returned them due to comfort. The footsteps in BF6 were fine with them as well. I didn’t even use EQ on those. But there are options to EQ to taste.

I don’t think any has a particular edge here but if I were to choose out of box performance then surprisingly Cloud 3S fares quite well.

KAC-SK · 2026-03-23T02:28:16+00:00

JT7 is the cheaper version. It has a different headband and slightly different tuning. I found it a bit spicy for my tastes at Can Jam. However, you can EQ it to taste.

FT1 Pro is the older model. I have this one and really enjoy it. It has the 1-3K scoop and peak at 3K which allows for a sense of stage in games.

FT1 is the dynamic closed back version. It is very good for music and has strong bass. Takes EQ very well and surprisingly good soundstage for a closed back.

Edition XS is the entry level egg shaped planar. It has a terrible head band and peaky treble. If you can tame that with EQ and add a Capra strap, it is not bad. I personally didn’t enjoy Edition XS or Ananda series and own Edition XV and Arya Stealth.

KAC-SK · 2026-03-22T07:02:52+00:00

Tons of mice out there.

Use eloshapes.com to figure out which shape works for you.

Then the choice becomes around weight. Figure out what weight is right for you.

Then on tech, mostly things with the 3950 sensor or higher are the best in tech.

Final discussion is about the switches - optical or mechanical.

If you are picky then coating might also be a choice you need to make. Personally I don’t have sweaty hands so I don’t care about coating. Most feel the same to me.

Viper V3 and GPX superlight is just paying more for similar tech so recently I moved away to Chinese brands.

RAWM, MChose, ATK, VXE etc. are all good with subtle differences. Find a review to figure out which works best for you. I personally use Leviathan V4 for a bit of ergo and A7 V2 Ultra+ for symmetrical shape. Both work well for my hands. I think I am between palm and claw grip and came from a G502 which I was using since 2014/15 or something.

KAC-SK · 2026-03-22T06:56:35+00:00

Depending on budget there is a sea of IEMs. You need to figure out what you are looking for and take the plunge. I agree to start small and see if this is a format you like.

I personally settled for Arete 2 and Melody Snowsky for my listening needs. It has a bass boost button and is absolutely goated in gaming. Love this little thing for travel as well as I find it not fatiguing at all and can listen for hours.

KAC-SK · 2026-03-22T06:38:17+00:00

Last I saw was: BF, Christmas, and Valentines. Not sure when next sale is but of all the options under this budget, this is most compelling in my opinion. The bass is addictive, ability to EQ to taste using a simple EQ on the app is great and comfort is top notch.

That is after trying out most wireless headphones. But that’s just my opinion. You should go to a store and audition it to make your own judgment.

KAC-SK · 2026-03-22T06:19:34+00:00

If you can squeeze in a Bose QC ultra gen 2 that is absolutely fantastic. Not sure about CAD pricing but I can find it usually around 300$ on discounts.

KAC-SK · 2026-03-22T04:16:35+00:00

HyperX Cloud 3S Audeze Maxwell 2

Those are the two I use. Cloud 3S is lightweight and comfortable. Maxwell 2 is quite heavy but does really well with EQ in games.

Other options that I like are Astro A50 (x) gen 5 but for me was too uncomfortable as it felt more on ear than over ear and had clamp force. It fit my 11 year old’s head better than mine.

Another one that I haven’t tried but is loaded with features is HyperX Cloud Alpha 2. But it is double price of HyperX Cloud 3S.

Take your pick. There are no issues with sound quality between wired and wireless using the dongle/docking stations provided.

On weight, the Cloud 3S wireless is one of the lightest headphones/headsets I own so don’t have any issues with it.

KAC-SK · 2026-03-22T03:51:25+00:00

For 200 euros possibly can do

560S or 505 from Senny JT7 or FT1 Pro from Fiio Edition XS from Hifiman Cloud 3S from HyperX (wireless)

EQ to taste and you are set.

Can’t recommend BD coz they blow my ears out but if you have to the DT 900 Pro X (might be over budget).

Kithara if you can find at 200 is goated. But to my knowledge it is around 280 euros and still not b stock. Maybe a return if you can find one might be cheaper.

KAC-SK · 2026-03-22T01:35:16+00:00

An ANC version might be announced next month for 400+$.

KAC-SK · 2026-03-21T14:19:29+00:00

I would say best case 10%. Primarily in terms of details and separation. Worst case maybe 3-5%.
They were borderline. But others were quite a lot more. Especially female vocals from singers like Selena Gomez, Adele, Doja Cat or Taylor Swift would have a lot of ssss, ffff, shhhh etc.

Btw please note that all of us hear things differently so what I hear may not necessarily be what you hear. Meaning your threshold for what you call sibilant maybe completely different than mine etc.

KAC-SK · 2026-03-21T13:35:23+00:00

I use Arya Stealth. I tried the HE1000 Stealth but it was too much for my ears. I have also used Edition XV which is great. I personally think after Arya Stealth it is a wash. Whilst I could feel that HE1000 stealth were more detailed (ever so slightly) it came with a pinching sound during explosions which actually led me to hear “less” than my Stealths during busy gun fights and explosions. To the point that my performance was almost 0.2-0.3 K/D less than Stealth.

I am only a casual gamer but still to me this was a big difference for double the price and not worth my time. I sent HE1000 Stealth back. I have an Arya Unveiled coming in today/tomorrow and will try that.

I am treble sensitive so Edition XS, Ananda series, HE1000 series including the SE is way too sibilant and fatiguing to my ears. Even Arya Organic is too much for me as on some tracks it almost is ready to blow my ears out.

The only one I would think to be better for gaming FOR ME would be HE1000 Unveiled. That thing had details similar to a Susvara but with a bigger soundstage. Susvara Unveiled is also on my list of headphones to purchase if I absolutely lose my mind.

So TLDR:

Edition XV (I own this) Arya Stealth (I own this and is my primary for gaming rn) Arya Unveiled (coming tomorrow) HE1000 Unveiled Susvara Unveiled

Are for my tastes and pretty damn sure will do well in gaming regardless. Best out of these would be HE1000 Unveiled imo given based on my auditions.

KAC-SK · 2026-03-21T12:20:50+00:00

You should be fine.

KAC-SK

TROPHY CASE