The Audeze Maxwell comes in two versions that are the same headset — the same drivers, battery, mic, and design. The only real differences are licensing and console pairing: the Xbox version carries the official Xbox wireless license (plus a Dolby Atmos license) and works wirelessly on Xbox; the PlayStation version is tuned for PS5 with Tempest 3D audio support but does not work wirelessly on Xbox. If you only own one console, buy the version that matches it. It is that simple.
Quick Verdict: Which Maxwell Should You Buy?
SoundMavericks’ take, up front:
- You game on PS5 only: buy the Audeze Maxwell for PlayStation. It is tuned for Sony’s Tempest 3D Audio and its dongle mode is optimized for the PS5.
- You game on Xbox only: buy the Audeze Maxwell for Xbox. It is the only version that connects wirelessly to an Xbox, and it includes a Dolby Atmos license.
- You own both consoles: buy the Xbox version. Its dongle has a PC mode that covers generic USB audio, which the PS5 accepts — while the PlayStation version is stuck on wired-only connections with an Xbox.
- You’re primarily on PC: either version works great on PC. The Xbox version is slightly more universal thanks to the Dolby Atmos license and its dual-mode dongle.
Audeze Maxwell PlayStation vs Xbox: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | PlayStation Version | Xbox Version |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers | 90mm planar magnetic, 10Hz–50kHz | 90mm planar magnetic, 10Hz–50kHz |
| Xbox wireless connection | ❌ No — USB wired or 3.5mm only on Xbox | ✅ Yes — official Xbox wireless license |
| PS5 wireless connection | ✅ Yes — low-latency 2.4GHz USB-C dongle | ✅ Yes — via dongle in PC mode (generic USB audio) |
| Console spatial audio | Tempest 3D Audio on PS5 | Dolby Atmos license included (Xbox and PC) |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 with multipoint; LE Audio, LC3, LC3plus, LDAC, AAC, SBC | 5.3 with multipoint; LE Audio, LC3, LC3plus, LDAC, AAC, SBC |
| Battery life | 80+ hours (at 80 dBA) | 80+ hours (at 80 dBA) |
| Microphone | Detachable boom mic (Shure-designed) + built-in beamforming mics with AI noise filtering | Detachable boom mic (Shure-designed) + built-in beamforming mics with AI noise filtering |
| Wired options | USB-C wired, 3.5mm TRRS | USB-C wired, 3.5mm TRRS |
| PC / Mac / Switch / mobile | ✅ All supported | ✅ All supported |
| App support | Audeze HQ app (EQ presets, firmware) | Audeze HQ app (EQ presets, firmware) |
| Logo color | Blue | Green |
Maxwell — PlayStation Version
Tempest 3D Audio · blue logo
Maxwell — Xbox Version
Xbox wireless + Dolby Atmos · green logo
The Real Difference: Console Licensing
Everything about the two Maxwells’ hardware is identical — Audeze literally built one headset and split it into two SKUs because of Microsoft’s proprietary Xbox wireless protocol. Xbox uses a licensed, encrypted wireless standard that third-party headsets cannot use without Microsoft’s blessing (and a license fee). That licensing cost is exactly why the Xbox version exists as its own product.
What the Xbox version gets you
- Wireless Xbox connection: the included dongle has a physical Xbox/PC switch. In Xbox mode it speaks the console’s proprietary wireless protocol — you plug the dongle into the Xbox and play, no Bluetooth pairing dance.
- Dolby Atmos license: the Xbox version includes a Dolby Atmos license that activates on Xbox and PC, giving you spatial audio on both platforms.
- More universal dongle: flip the dongle to PC mode and it acts as a standard USB audio device — which means it also works on the PS5, which accepts generic USB audio. Audeze themselves note the PS-tuned version is still the better pick for PS5 because its dongle mode is optimized for the console’s tuning and volume behavior.
What the PlayStation version gets you
- Tempest 3D Audio: on PS5 the PlayStation version hooks into Sony’s Tempest 3D Audio engine — Sony’s answer to spatial audio — which is only fully supported with the PS SKU.
- PS-optimized dongle mode: Audeze has stated the PS version’s dongle mode is specifically tuned for the PS5 (volume output, tuning, lower distortion potential). Generic USB audio devices can sound quiet on PS5, forcing you to crank volume — the PS version is built to avoid that.
- No Xbox wireless, period: the PlayStation version does not work wirelessly on Xbox. With an Xbox you are limited to USB-wired or the 3.5mm cable plugged into the controller.
Everything That’s Identical
This is the part reviewers keep coming back to: outside of the console licensing, you are buying the exact same headset. There is no “better” version in terms of sound or build:
- Drivers: 90mm planar magnetic drivers with a 10Hz–50kHz frequency response on both. Same tuning, same detail.
- Battery: rated for 80+ hours of wireless playback on both — one of the longest battery lives of any gaming headset.
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint on both, plus a deep codec list: LE Audio, LC3, LC3plus, LDAC, AAC, and SBC.
- Microphone: detachable boom mic developed with Shure on both, plus built-in beamforming mics with AI noise filtering for calls without the boom.
- Connectivity: USB-C wired audio and 3.5mm TRRS wired on both; both support simultaneous 2.4GHz + Bluetooth connections.
- Software: both work with the Audeze HQ app for EQ presets and firmware updates on Windows, Mac, and Android.
- Noise control: neither version has active noise cancellation — both rely on the closed-back design’s passive isolation, and both use noise-filtering mics.
- Design: same chassis, same weight, same pads — the only visual difference is the Audeze logo: blue on the PlayStation version, green on the Xbox version.
Compatibility Cheat Sheet
How each version connects to each console, at a glance:
| Platform | PlayStation Version | Xbox Version |
|---|---|---|
| PS5 / PS4 | ✅ Wireless via dongle (Tempest 3D supported) | ✅ Wireless via dongle in PC mode (no Tempest 3D) |
| Xbox Series X|S / One | ⚠️ Wired only (USB or 3.5mm) | ✅ Wireless via dongle (Xbox mode) + Dolby Atmos |
| PC / Mac | ✅ Dongle, Bluetooth, USB wired, 3.5mm | ✅ Dongle, Bluetooth, USB wired, 3.5mm |
| Nintendo Switch / mobile | ✅ Dongle (docked), Bluetooth, 3.5mm | ✅ Dongle (docked), Bluetooth, 3.5mm |
Which Should You Buy? SoundMavericks’ Verdict
Here is how we would call it:
- PS5 household: get the PlayStation version. Tempest 3D support plus Audeze’s PS-tuned dongle mode means this is the version engineered for your console — buy the headset that was made for the box you own.
- Xbox household: get the Xbox version. It is the only way to go wireless on an Xbox, and the bundled Dolby Atmos license is a genuine bonus for both Xbox and PC.
- Both consoles: get the Xbox version. It is the more universal of the two — wireless on Xbox, and workable wireless on PS5 through the dongle’s PC mode — while the PlayStation version is permanently wired-only on Xbox.
- PC-first gamer: either works beautifully, but the Xbox version’s Dolby Atmos license and dual-mode dongle make it the slightly safer all-rounder.
One more note: Audeze has since released the Maxwell 2 (2026), which keeps the same PlayStation/Xbox split with updated hardware. This guide covers the original Maxwell, which remains widely available and is the model most buyers are comparing.
For more console-ready options, see our roundup of the best noise cancelling headsets for gaming and Xbox.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there any sound quality difference between the Maxwell PlayStation and Xbox versions?
No. Both use the same 90mm planar magnetic drivers, the same tuning, the same battery, and the same microphone system. Sound quality is identical — the differences are purely licensing (Xbox wireless, Dolby Atmos vs. Tempest 3D) and logo color.
Can I use the PlayStation version of the Maxwell on Xbox?
Only wired. The PlayStation version lacks the Xbox wireless license, so it cannot connect wirelessly to an Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One. You can still use it on Xbox via USB-wired or the 3.5mm cable into the controller.
Can I use the Xbox version of the Maxwell on PS5?
Yes — wirelessly, with a caveat. The Xbox version’s dongle has a PC mode that works as generic USB audio, which the PS5 accepts. You lose Sony’s Tempest 3D Audio, and Audeze recommends the PS version for PlayStation because its dongle mode is specifically tuned for the console. But if you own both consoles, the Xbox version is the one that stays wireless on both.
What does the logo color mean on the Audeze Maxwell?
Blue means the PlayStation version; green means the Xbox version. It is just a quick visual way to tell the two SKUs apart — there is no other hardware difference behind it.
Do I need the Audeze HQ app for either version?
You don’t need it to play — the headset works out of the box — but the Audeze HQ app (Windows, Mac, Android) unlocks EQ presets and firmware updates for both versions, which is worth installing for either one.
I am the founder of Sound Mavericks, where I provide the polite truth about audio equipment. I started this site because consumer electronics reviews are often too technical. Instead of using a silent lab, I test headphones, earbuds, and Bluetooth speakers in the real world – like on a noisy subway or in a busy coffee shop.
To stay independent, I buy my own review units (mostly from the United States) rather than accepting free gifts from brands. Once I finish testing a product, I sell it locally to our community. My goal is to help you understand sound quality, active noise cancellation (ANC), and battery life without the marketing hype.
