Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC Returns With Adaptive Noise Cancellation and Higher Price
Audeze has released the Maxwell 2 ANC, a new wireless gaming headset that adds active and adaptive noise cancellation to the company’s Maxwell 2 formula. If you already liked the Maxwell 2’s sound and comfort upgrades, this version brings an “enhanced smart-audio” feature set aimed at shutting out background noise while keeping positional audio intact.
Availability, pricing, and platform lineup
| Model | Platforms | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maxwell 2 ANC (wireless) | PC, PS5 | $429 / £429 | Available now |
| Maxwell 2 ANC (Xbox model) | Xbox | +$20 / +£20 | Incoming (no release date stated) |
Audeze says the Maxwell 2 ANC is built around its “most advanced quieting system ever,” combining outside microphones (feedforward) with interior microphones (feedback) to counter unwanted sounds. The company also claims the noise-cancelling system is designed to reduce external noise without harming positional audio accuracy, which is especially relevant for competitive play.
Beyond ANC, the headset is described as bringing “enhanced smart-audio capabilities,” including AI-controlled ANC parameters and voice-activated commands. For connectivity, it supports simultaneous wired audio and Bluetooth audio, plus wireless use intended for gaming on supported platforms.
Wireless headphones fans may notice one limitation still missing from this generation: Audeze has not added simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4GHz audio. That was a feature many premium headsets include, and it was also called out as absent on the original Maxwell 2.
Compatibility and carryover features
The Maxwell 2 ANC keeps compatibility with the interchangeable ReSkin earcup covers introduced for the Maxwell 2 line. It also retains the Maxwell 2’s core feature set and overall design direction, with this release specifically aimed at adding ANC where the earlier Maxwell 2 launched without it.
To clarify timing, the non-ANC Maxwell 2 launched earlier this year and was positioned as the long-awaited follow-up to the original Maxwell. Audeze’s current Maxwell 2 ANC build is the ANC-equipped variant of that headset, now available for PC and PS5 at the listed pricing, with an additional Xbox version planned for release later.
