Compare SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Gaming Headset vs Audeze Maxwell

ANC was a weakness because reviewers noted its absence and framed that omission as disappointing or baffling at this price.

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

The app/software was a major value driver because reviewers praised mobile presets, Sonar, GG customization, and usefulness, despite a few complexity complaints.

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 feedback was mixed: wireless reviews often praised boom and thump, while several wired or measurement-focused reviews noted restrained sub-bass, boxiness, or less low-end impact.

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

Battery life was generally strong for the wireless model, commonly described as enough for days or long sessions, though one lab test found less than the advertised 2.4GHz rating.

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

Bluetooth was viewed positively when tested, especially for painless switching, mobile use, and fallback connectivity.

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

Build quality was mostly solid for plastic construction, but reviewers also noted plasticky feel or merely steady construction.

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

The wired model’s USB DAC was useful mainly for extra volume and software access rather than a broad hi-res claim.

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

Control usability was mostly simple and easy, but some reviewers disliked crowded or less intuitive one-hand control layouts.

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

Cable comments were negative, mostly because reviewers disliked the short charging cable or stiff wired headset cables.

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

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

Fast charging was one of the clearest strengths, with reviewers repeatedly praising the 15-minute charge usefulness.

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

Clamp comfort was mostly positive, balancing secure fit and comfort, though one review described the fit as tight.

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

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

Comfort over long sessions was one of the strongest consensus positives, with many reviewers wearing it for full workdays, long gaming sessions, or glasses use comfortably.

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

Connectivity versatility was a clear strength, with reviewers praising broad platform use, USB-C, Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, and wired options depending on model.

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

Console compatibility limitations were limited in current evidence; one Switch 2 concern was followed by successful firmware testing.

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

Design and aesthetics were broadly liked, especially the soft color options, clean look, and less aggressive gaming style.

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

Detachable cable convenience was split between praise for replaceable/removable cables and criticism of a nonstandard aux-style cable.

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

Detachable mic convenience was mixed: reviewers liked the cleaner/travel-friendly look, but some preferred retractable mics or worried about losing the boom.

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

Dongle feedback was mixed: reviewers liked the low-latency, slim, offset design, but some disliked port blocking or lack of onboard storage.

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

Ear cup padding was usually praised for memory foam, fabric, breathability, and glasses comfort, though one reviewer found the material hot and not plush enough.

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

Swivel and rotation were praised for comfort, neck wear, and fit flexibility.

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

Earpad replacement ease was supported by a reviewer calling the pads easily replaceable.

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

EQ customization was a strength overall, especially on PC and mobile, although some mobile implementations lacked a true custom equalizer.

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

Fit/seal reliability was a small caveat because one lab review found sound quality sensitive to positioning and fit.

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

Footstep-focused preset evidence was positive, with one reviewer saying the preset made footsteps more pronounced in stealth gameplay.

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

Frequency-response commentary was mixed: the tuning served gaming clarity, but some reviewers found music tonal balance less accurate or less pleasant.

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

Game/chat balance was useful where available, though one reviewer disliked the hold-and-wheel implementation compared with a dedicated wheel.

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

Headband feedback was mostly positive for pressure distribution and adjustability, but some reviewers noted sweet-spot or large-head limitations.

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

Durability evidence around hinges and arms was positive, with reviewers highlighting flexible construction and stress-resistant support.

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

Included accessories were a weak point in one review because the included charging cable fell short of expectations.

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

Separation was generally adequate, but one reviewer noted it could feel jumbled during dense action scenes.

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

The integrated retractable mic on the wired model was praised as convenient and clean when not in use.

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.

One reviewer praised maximum-volume bass clarity, noting thump without distortion.

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

Microphone feedback was generally good for gaming chat, ranging from exceptional to adequate, with some caveats about fuzziness or headset-like tone.

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 was one of the stronger mic-related areas, with multiple reviewers praising barking, room, episode, keyboard, or background-noise suppression.

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

Call and chat voice quality was generally clear, with reviewers reporting adequate Zoom/call performance and clear detailed mic sound.

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

Midrange was usually clear enough for voices and dialogue, though one measurement-focused reviewer found it recessed before tuning.

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 was one of the strongest positives, especially for the 3X model and cross-console/mobile use.

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

Multipoint reliability was a caveat: reviewers liked switching modes, but several criticized the lack of true simultaneous Bluetooth or device limitations.

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

Passive isolation was acceptable for quieter rooms but not strong, with reviewers saying it blocked some outside sound while leaving plenty of awareness.

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

Portability was helped by folding/flat ear cups and an understated look, though this was more prominent on wired or travel-adjacent comments.

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

Positional audio was a strength for gaming, with many reviewers hearing footsteps, gunfire, reloads, and directional cues clearly.

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

Preset EQ profiles were repeatedly praised for game-specific tuning and live switching, with only minor caveats that not every preset made a big difference.

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

Replaceable earpads were praised for interchangeability and long-term support.

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

RGB customization was mostly praised on wired models as subtle, customizable, and tasteful, with one reviewer saying options were limited.

Sidetone quality was a strength in the few reviews that discussed it, especially for real-time, clear monitoring.

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

Smudge resistance had limited but positive evidence from one reviewer praising the non-fingerprint-prone ear plate surface.

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

Setup simplicity was mixed: wired setup was plug-and-play, but PC software routing could become confusing.

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

Sound leakage was the clearest serious drawback, with one reviewer calling leakage shockingly bad even at low volumes.

Reviewers generally liked the sound, especially after EQ, describing it as detailed, immersive, or impressive for the price; a few wired-model notes called the default profile merely fine.

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 was serviceable but not universally expansive, with one review saying it lacked full wraparound immersion and another calling the stage wide enough.

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 was praised for gaming immersion and directionality, especially through Sonar or console spatial systems.

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

Stability evidence was positive in one review that said the headset did not slip accidentally.

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

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

Treble drew mixed responses: some heard clearer highs, but others found high tones shouty, recessed, or occasionally irritating.

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

USB-C was viewed as a useful upgrade because it enabled better connectivity and subtle sound/software advantages.

Value was a strong consensus positive across nearly every review, with reviewers repeatedly calling it a good budget or midrange buy.

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

Volume output was a mild weakness in the evidence, with reviewers calling the default output quieter or less efficient than some competitors.

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

Weight comfort was a major strength, with many reviewers emphasizing the headset’s lightness and reduced fatigue.

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

Wireless latency was consistently praised, with 2.4GHz and Bluetooth testing producing low-latency or no-lag impressions.

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

Xbox compatibility was positive for the 3X variant, though buyers must choose the Xbox-capable version.

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