Compare SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite vs Audeze Maxwell

ANC is one of the most consistently praised features, with reviewers calling it class-leading for gaming headsets, though a few compare it less favorably to consumer ANC flagships.

Active noise cancellation is absent, and reviewers who care about ANC treat that omission as a real limitation.

The app ecosystem is mixed: reviewers like mobile/console control and deep options, but some find the desktop software intrusive or frustrating.

The app/software experience is mixed-to-negative overall, ranging from stable but basic to buggy, clunky, incomplete, or unreliable.

Audio-video sync evidence is positive where tested, with no noticeable lags or delays during games and movies.

Bass is generally praised for precision, texture, and depth, though a few reviewers note the stock tuning can be bass-heavy or excessive in some contexts.

Bass is usually praised as punchy, detailed, and controlled, though a few reviewers note it is not a boomy basshead tuning without EQ.

Battery performance is strongly praised because the two-battery system largely removes runtime anxiety, despite one reviewer disputing true hot-swap behavior.

Battery life receives near-universal praise, with reviewers repeatedly describing the 80-hour class endurance as impressive or exceptional.

Bluetooth is generally useful and flexible, especially for simultaneous phone/app use, though codec and platform limitations still appear in nearby reviewer comments.

Bluetooth performance has limited scored evidence here, with one reviewer reporting annoying stutter at distance.

Build quality is consistently praised as premium, sturdy, metal-rich, and solid, with only isolated complaints about small squeaks or finish details.

Build quality is mostly praised as sturdy, premium, or tank-like, but early-unit failures and cosmetic wear create some caution.

Hi-res playback and the GameHub/DAC are major strengths, though some reviewers question whether the hi-res benefit matters outside PC and music use.

Built-in DAC and hi-res playback evidence is positive but limited, centered on high-bitrate decoding without external gear.

Physical controls are usually praised for tactile wheels, intuitive placement, and good feedback, though one reviewer says smaller buttons feel less premium.

Physical controls are often appreciated, but reviewers also mention a learning curve, confusing multifunction wheels, or poor placement.

Cable quality has limited scored evidence; one reviewer calls the included USB-C cable very basic.

The carry case is repeatedly criticized as too soft or insufficiently protective for the price, despite a few reviewers calling the pouch nice.

Carry case quality is effectively poor because one reviewer explicitly criticized the absence of any case or bag.

Charging is viewed positively thanks to fast charging, the hub battery slot, and quick swaps that reduce the need to tether the headset.

Charging is praised because short top-ups provide many hours or a full day of additional use.

Clamping force is a repeated comfort caveat, with multiple reviewers calling it tight or stronger than expected even when the headset remains wearable.

Clamping force is generally viewed positively because it seals without feeling overly tight in most reports.

Codec support is viewed as robust thanks to LC3/LC3+ and hi-res wireless, though one reviewer wanted additional support such as aptX-like options.

Codec support is well regarded because reviewers value LDAC, LE Audio, LC3/LC3plus, and other higher-quality or future-facing options.

Comfort is highly polarized: many reviewers call it plush and long-session friendly, while others report tightness, sweating, pressure, or fatigue.

Long-session comfort is mostly positive despite heat and weight caveats; many reviewers could wear it for hours after adjusting.

Connectivity versatility is the clearest consensus strength: reviewers repeatedly praise multi-device support, four-source mixing, and broad setup flexibility.

Connectivity versatility is a major strength because reviewers value Bluetooth, dongle, USB-C, analog, and broad platform support, despite switching caveats.

Console limitations are a recurring caveat because the highest hi-res benefits are PC-only and some chat behavior is not fully compatible.

Console compatibility has real caveats around buying the correct version and uncertain cross-platform wireless behavior.

Design and aesthetics are widely praised for the sage/gold look, mature styling, and premium visual finish.

Design and aesthetics are mostly praised as understated, premium, sleek, and non-gamer-looking, though one reviewer finds it clunky.

The analog cable option is useful in at least one real use case, where the reviewer said it worked well when directly powered.

The wired option is valued as a useful fallback or flexibility feature, even though the headset still needs power.

The retractable mic mechanism is convenient in the scored review, where it is easy to pull out and position.

The detachable microphone is valued because it makes the headset easier to use as headphones for music or travel.

Dongle impressions are mixed, with praise for range or form factor offset by artifacting, connection failures, or USB-controller sensitivity.

Earpad padding is broadly praised for plushness and softness, but several reviewers warn faux leather can get sweaty or may wear over time.

Earpad padding is often plush and comfortable, but repeated caveats mention heat, sweat, thinness, or firmness.

Ear cup rotation is praised in one review for freer movement that improves seal behavior compared with previous models.

Ear cup swivel evidence is positive, with one reviewer noting the cups rested comfortably around the neck.

Earpad replacement ease is positive in one review that says the design should be easy enough to repair.

Earpad replacement is praised as easy, with several reviewers noting twist-off or easily removable pads.

EQ customization is a major strength, with repeated praise for parametric EQ, per-source profiles, and on-the-fly tuning across app, hub, and PC software.

EQ customization is valued because the headset responds well to EQ, though reviewers criticize clunky interfaces and occasional access limitations.

Fit and seal reliability is positive in one review, where freer ear cup movement is said to maintain a better seal.

Fit and seal reliability are praised where discussed, especially for maintaining passive isolation.

Footstep-focused EQ evidence is positive, with the Valorant preset said to make footsteps more detailed and enemy positions easier to localize.

The footsteps-focused feature is useful but not universally ideal; one reviewer preferred more custom EQ control for competitive FPS use.

Frequency-response impressions are mixed: one review praises balanced warmth, depth, and clarity, while another notes ANC and tuning changes affect consistency.

Frequency response evidence is highly positive, with reviewers highlighting target matching, linearity, and controlled tuning.

Game/chat balance works well on PC and via the base station, but PlayStation chat compatibility is a limitation.

Game/chat balance control is repeatedly praised for quickly adjusting game and voice levels without heavy software dependence.

Headband adjustability is positively described as adjustable, smoother, and more rugged, though coverage is limited.

Headband adjustability is one of the clearest weaknesses, with reviewers criticizing the limited notches, awkward strap, and imperfect fit granularity.

Hinge durability is supported by one review that praises the full metal yoke construction as more durable.

Hinge durability evidence is negative due to a reported early unit breaking during normal use.

Included accessories are generally considered generous, though another review frames them as goodies rather than luxury-level extras.

Included accessories are praised for quality and usefulness, especially the included adapter and cables.

Instrument separation is mostly praised for detail retrieval and the ability to pick out subtle sounds, but one review specifically says separation is lacking.

Instrument separation and detail retrieval are repeatedly praised, with reviewers noting clear layering in music, games, and busy mixes.

Integrated microphones are convenient and surprisingly good for calls or discreet use, though they are still secondary to the boom mic.

Integrated microphone evidence is mostly negative, with several reviewers calling the built-in mics bad, compressed, or inferior to the boom mic.

LDAC receives positive evidence, with one reviewer saying audio quality remained exceptional in LDAC testing.

Maximum-volume clarity is supported by one review that found loud game effects remained clear.

Maximum-volume clarity is praised because highs remain clean and the headset avoids harshness or distortion when turned up.

Microphone performance is broadly strong, often described as excellent or improved, though one reviewer still finds it compressed and unspectacular.

Microphone performance is mixed: the boom mic can be clear or strong, but some reviewers call it muffled, merely serviceable, or not creator-grade.

Microphone noise reduction is praised for suppressing hiss, vacuums, washing machines, and background noise, with only minor processing caveats.

Microphone noise reduction is one of the most praised non-audio features, repeatedly removing keyboard, fan, vacuum, and ambient noise effectively.

Call and chat mic quality is strong overall, with reviewers reporting clear voice quality and a mic competitive with top wireless headset microphones.

Call and chat microphone evidence is adequate rather than studio-grade, with the boom mic considered good enough for work calls or gaming.

Midrange clarity is viewed positively, with reviewers noting cleaner mids and detailed reproduction; one technical review still flags tuning choices that affect perceived clarity.

Midrange clarity is mostly described as clear, natural, or accurate, with occasional criticism that gaming tuning can make vocals sound thin or recessed.

Multi-platform compatibility is very strong, with reviewers calling it an all-systems or premium multi-platform solution.

Multi-platform compatibility is a strength where discussed, with reviewers emphasizing broad support across common gaming and media devices.

Multipoint and simultaneous-source behavior is praised as seamless or unusually capable, especially when combining Bluetooth, USB, and aux sources.

Multipoint and wireless source handling are mixed: Bluetooth multipoint can help, but lack of simultaneous Bluetooth plus dongle playback frustrates several reviewers.

Passive isolation is widely strong, credited to sealed pads and dense cushions, though one review only calls it moderate.

Passive isolation is mostly praised thanks to the closed cups and pads, though one reviewer found outside sound cut through more than expected.

Packaging quality is supported by one review that found the unboxing experience premium.

Packaging quality has limited but positive evidence, with one reviewer calling the packaging luxurious.

Portability is a weakness in the one scored review, which calls the headset bulky compared with high-end headphones.

Portability is limited by the large, heavy cups, even when they fold flat.

Positional audio is generally strong, with praise for footsteps, directional cues, and spatial detail; one review finds it merely good enough.

Positional audio is often excellent for gaming, but competitive-focused reviewers note weaker verticality or pinpoint footstep accuracy than some rivals.

Preset EQ profiles are praised for quantity and game-specific usefulness, though their value depends on users being willing to switch or tune profiles.

Preset EQ profiles are context-dependent: some gaming presets help, while music performance can suffer and some profiles sound poor.

Replaceable earpads are positive overall, extending service life, though one review flags pleather wear as a long-term concern.

Replaceable earpads receive positive evidence because reviewers describe the pads as easy to remove, replace, or swap.

Replaceable ear plates are positively mentioned as a fan-favorite design element.

Sidetone is useful and clear, but reviewers also describe it as overpowering or only comfortable at moderate levels.

Sidetone is the most consistently criticized feature, with noise, feedback, static, and bugs outweighing one positive report about loud monitoring.

Smudge resistance is weak in one review, where the metallic finish is described as a fingerprint magnet.

Smudge resistance is weak in the one scored review, which says the cups show oil after handling.

Setup and software simplicity is mixed: the GameHub and menus can be easy, but OLED choice, Windows volume behavior, and app friction draw criticism.

Setup simplicity is mostly positive for plug-and-play use and firmware guidance, though some reviewers criticize broader UX/app friction.

Sound leakage is excellent in the one scored review, which reports zero spillage even at loud volume.

Reviewers repeatedly describe the sound as elite, hi-fi, detailed, or best-in-class, with only one notably price-sensitive review saying the audio still does not justify $600.

Reviewers consistently frame sound quality as the Maxwell's core strength, often calling it best-in-class or audiophile-grade for a wireless gaming headset.

Soundstage is considered wide or exceptional by several reviewers, though one review notes stock single-player presentation can feel somewhat tight.

Soundstage earns strong praise from several gaming-focused reviews, while audiophile and competitive reviewers describe it as merely adequate or narrower than some rivals.

Spatial audio is generally praised for immersion, depth, and open-world presentation, though the tuning is more cinematic than strictly esports-focused.

Spatial audio is usually a useful immersion bonus, especially on PS5 Tempest or Dolby, but some reviewers avoid it for competitive play.

Stability is mixed: the headset is secure enough in normal use but can slip with sudden movement or have wireless breakup at longer range.

Stability is mostly strong for wireless range or physical fit, though Bluetooth distance artifacts appear in one review.

Touch control responsiveness is lightly positive, with the touch-sensitive GameHub button described as easy enough for menu navigation.

Transparency-style passthrough is strongly praised in one review for realism and lack of harshness.

Treble receives mixed reactions: several reviewers hear smoother or clearer highs, but others find peaks, sharpness, or fatigue that benefit from EQ correction.

Treble is generally controlled and clear, but some reviewers hear too much brightness or less openness depending on EQ and use case.

USB-C is a limitation in one review because the headset charges over USB-C but does not support direct USB audio.

Value for money is the most divided attribute: reviewers praise the elite feature set but repeatedly warn that $600 is only sensible for a narrow audience.

Value for money is strongly positive overall: many reviewers call the price justified despite acknowledging the upfront cost.

Volume output is supported by one review describing full, rich playback without detail loss.

Volume output is considered ample, with reviewers describing the headset as plenty loud or unusually powerful.

Weight comfort is mixed: some reviewers say the headset does not feel cumbersome, while others call it heavy or not among the lightest.

Weight comfort is the main ergonomic tradeoff: reviewers call it heavy, but many say the distribution keeps it usable for long sessions.

Wireless latency is consistently excellent in the scored reviews, with reviewers reporting no notable lag or no skips.

Wireless latency is generally low enough for gaming, though reviewers occasionally report small lag or system-specific issues.

Xbox compatibility is positive where discussed, with reviewers noting Xbox support through the hub and no need for a separate Xbox variant.

Xbox compatibility favors the Xbox version for broader platform support and Dolby Atmos, but PlayStation support may carry risk or limitations.