Audeze Maxwell 2: SLAM spatial audio, AI mic, 80-hour battery

Audeze has unveiled the Maxwell 2, an overhauled take on one of the brand’s best-known gaming headsets. The new model brings improved spatial audio, deeper bass, and an upgraded microphone with AI-powered noise reduction. Shown at CES 2026, it has already been put through its paces by the tech press.

The headline change is SLAM technology, previously reserved for the flagship CRBN2 headphones. Audeze says it heightens immersion and improves positional accuracy—exactly what competitive players count on. The Maxwell 2 uses 90 mm planar magnetic drivers with an extended 10–50,000 Hz response, a range that outstrips typical gaming cans and nudges the model into music-friendly territory.

Early hands-on reports highlight strong detail and precise directional cues: footsteps and gunshots are easy to place in space. With music, the headset leans neutral and transparent, though its closed-back build makes the soundstage feel a touch more intimate. Overall, reviewers see a clear step forward over the original Maxwell, hinting at a set that aims to bridge gaming and serious listening.

Audeze also zeroed in on voice capture. The detachable boom now pairs with an updated AI noise-reduction system that filters background sounds more effectively, and sidetone has been refined so users can hear themselves more naturally. The design remains familiar, but there’s a wider ventilated headband and more room in the earcups for comfort—offset by a weight increase to 560 grams. The comfort tweaks come with a trade-off in mass, yet the direction feels deliberate.

On the connectivity side, Maxwell 2 supports 2.4 GHz wireless, Bluetooth, and a wired mode. Battery life is rated at up to 80 hours. It’s available to order now: the PlayStation version is priced at $329, while the Xbox variant costs $349. Both versions work with PC, mobile devices, and Nintendo Switch. The positioning is clearly premium, but the feature set appears to justify the pitch.