SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite vs Audeze Maxwell: Battle for the best audiophile gaming headset

If you’re shopping for a high-end wireless gaming headset with the best sound quality possible, you’ve probably come across the Audeze Maxwell being recommended in many online forums. But there is a new contender vying for the wallets of audiophiles, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite. Both are top-tier contenders from audio brands that know their craft—SteelSeries leans on its gaming pedigree, while Audeze brings studio-grade tuning to the table. I’ve tested both extensively, and while they target slightly different audiences, their overlap in wireless performance, sound quality, and customization tools makes this comparison particularly interesting.

What’s it like to use the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite compared to the Audeze Maxwell?

The Arctis Nova Elite feels unapologetically premium from the first touch. Its metal yokes, faux leather headband wrap, and soft, leatherette ear cups give it a more refined look than most gaming headsets. It’s also lighter than the Maxwell at 380g, which makes a big difference during long sessions. The comfort is excellent thanks to plush pads and an adjustable suspension band, though the pleather covering may wear over time.

By contrast, the Audeze Maxwell feels more industrial—sturdy, but undeniably heavy at 490g. Its planar magnetic drivers contribute to that heft, and while the deep ear cups prevent ear fatigue, the hybrid leather strap system can be hit-or-miss. Some users will find it secure; others will find it awkward, especially after a few hours. Build quality is generally solid, but I’d like to see the headband redesigned for better long-term durability.

Both headsets use physical controls, but the Nova Elite’s layout feels more deliberate. The textured golden volume wheel and dedicated mute button are complemented by the GameHub base station, which gives you granular hardware-level control over multiple inputs. The Maxwell keeps things simple with on-ear dials and a satisfying mic mute slider, which I prefer for its tactile reliability.

Do the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite or Audeze Maxwell have more features?

The Nova Elite takes the lead in pure feature count. Its GameHub base station lets you connect and mix up to four wired and wireless sources at once—a dream for streamers managing PC, console, and Bluetooth inputs simultaneously. On top of that, the Sonar software and mobile Arctis app deliver a full parametric EQ, AI-powered mic noise suppression, and hundreds of game-specific EQ presets. It’s one of the most customizable headsets I’ve tested.

The Audeze Maxwell is less about quantity and more about focus. Through the Audeze HQ app, you get firmware updates, spatial audio options, and an array of EQ presets—including game-specific ones like “Footsteps” and “Competition” that highlight positional cues. It even supports Dolby Atmos or Tempest 3D, depending on your console. There’s no active noise cancelation or base station, but its feature set feels more streamlined and focused on audio performance rather than multitasking.

How do the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite and Audeze Maxwell connect?

Both headsets offer excellent connectivity, though the Nova Elite’s flexibility is unmatched. It supports 2.4GHz Hi-Res Wireless (96kHz/24-bit), Bluetooth 5.3 with LC3 and LC3+, and simultaneous multi-device mixing through its OmniPlay system. You can connect to PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, mobile, and even VR headsets—all at once if you want. The only trade-off is slightly reduced wireless range compared to the older Nova Pro.

The Audeze Maxwell also supports Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC, AAC, and SBC codecs, alongside low-latency 2.4GHz wireless via its included USB-C dongle. It even handles wired USB-C and 3.5mm connections, making it one of the most compatible gaming headsets available. However, you’ll need to buy the correct PlayStation or Xbox variant to unlock each console’s spatial audio features, which is a bit limiting compared to the Nova Elite’s all-in-one approach.

Is battery life better on the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite or Audeze Maxwell?

The Audeze Maxwell wins on single-charge endurance, hitting over 64 hours in testing. It doesn’t use a dual-battery system, but a 20-minute quick charge can provide up to 30 hours of playtime—excellent for long gaming marathons.

The Nova Elite counters with its clever hot-swappable battery system. Each of its two 700mAh batteries lasts about 30 hours, and because you can swap them without powering down, you can theoretically game forever. In practice, that convenience trumps even the Maxwell’s impressive longevity. The base station also doubles as a charging dock, keeping both batteries topped up automatically.

Do the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite or Audeze Maxwell block noise better?

This category isn’t even close—the Nova Elite dominates. It’s the most effective noise canceling gaming headset we’ve tested, with 84% average noise reduction and up to 30dB attenuation in low frequencies. Its ANC system is quiet and refined, with minimal hiss and an excellent transparency mode that sounds natural.

The Audeze Maxwell, on the other hand, lacks ANC altogether. Its passive isolation is still solid, thanks to the dense ear cups and firm clamping force, which effectively mutes mid- and high-frequency distractions. Still, if you play in a noisy household or travel with your headset, the Nova Elite is the far better choice.

Do the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite sound better than the Audeze Maxwell?

In my testing, the Arctis Nova Elite targets a gaming-first sound. The carbon fiber drivers keep distortion low, and the headset ships with hundreds of game-specific EQ presets plus a full parametric EQ, which makes dialing in cues (footsteps, dialogue, explosions) straightforward. Bass precision is a clear strength—I can distinguish a ~40Hz kick thump from a ~120Hz bass note more cleanly than on older Nova models, and I don’t run into noticeable latency over the 2.4GHz link.

The Audeze Maxwell uses 90mm planar magnetic drivers and also benefits a lot from software: the Audeze HQ app provides effective EQ and multiple gaming presets (e.g., Footsteps, Competition) that intentionally push cue audibility. If you plan to tweak, both headsets give you the tools; the SteelSeries leans into game-specific profiles, while Audeze’s presets are purpose-built for common scenarios.

Objective Measurements

Comparing the frequency responses to our house curve, both headsets deviate in different ways. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite (blue line) shows underemphasis between 200–500Hz. This can reduce the sense of fullness and make low-frequency instruments less powerful. Above that, there is a broad 5kHz dip followed by a sharp 8kHz peak, which increases treble strength and can emphasize sibilance or shrill sounds. Beyond 10kHz, the response rolls off steeply, which slightly limits brilliance.

The Audeze Maxwell more closely aligns with the house curve through most of the low end and midrange, maintaining stronger bass precision and more consistent midrange strength than the Nova Elite. Its response begins to rise around 3–6kHz, enhancing presence and localisability, before tapering gently above 10kHz. The Maxwell should sound more natural out of the box, and the optional Footsteps/Competition presets intentionally push key bands to highlight positional cues.

Do the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite or Audeze Maxwell have a better microphone?

The Nova Elite wins this one hands-down. Its retractable boom mic with AI-powered noise rejection delivers superb clarity, even under extreme conditions like loud fans or compressed air tests. It outperforms nearly every gaming headset I’ve used. The sidetone monitoring is strong, and the built-in mics handle casual calls decently when the boom is retracted.

The Maxwell’s boom mic performs well in quiet environments but struggles a bit with sibilance and background noise. It doesn’t include the same level of AI processing or EQ flexibility. The internal mic wasn’t functional in testing, so for voice quality and versatility, SteelSeries takes this category comfortably.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Audeze Maxwell microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite microphone demo (Office conditions):

Audeze Maxwell microphone demo (Office conditions):

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite vs Audeze Maxwell: Price and availability

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite launched in September 2025 for $599.99 at Amazon, squarely positioning it as a luxury headset for serious enthusiasts and streamers.

The Audeze Maxwell, released earlier at $299 at Amazon, costs half as much while offering comparable—or even better—sound quality. It has been one of the best values in the gaming headset market for some time.

Should you get the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite or the Audeze Maxwell?

If you want the ultimate all-in-one gaming headset that can connect to everything, manage multiple inputs, and deliver strong ANC with a flawless mic, go with the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite. It’s expensive, but it truly does everything—especially for multi-platform gamers and streamers who need versatility and control.

However, if your top priorities are sound quality and value, the Audeze Maxwell is the smarter buy. Its planar magnetic drivers sound phenomenal, the battery life is unbeatable, and its feature set covers everything most gamers need—without the $600 price tag.

Bottom line: The Nova Elite is the better all-rounder and tech powerhouse. The Maxwell delivers better audio for half the price. Choose the SteelSeries if you need everything. Choose the Audeze if you just want audio excellence.