SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless vs Audeze Maxwell 2
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless (#1, best overall) vs Audeze Maxwell 2 (#2, best premium): in our Over-ear Headphones for Gaming scoring the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless totals 9.2/10 and the Audeze Maxwell 2 9.1/10.
We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. Prices and availability shown are accurate as of Aug 5, 2026 and are subject to change; the merchant's price at purchase applies.
TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless | Audeze Maxwell 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $313 | $329 |
| Driver Size | 40mm Hi-Fi neodymium | 90mm planar magnetic |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz-40kHz | 10Hz-50kHz |
| Connectivity | 2.4GHz + Bluetooth simultaneous | 2.4GHz + Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Latency | <2ms | — |
| Battery | Unlimited (hot-swap) | 80 hours |
| Weight | ~338g | 560g |
| Platforms | PC, PlayStation, Xbox (via dongle), Mobile | — |
| Platform Note | — | Separate Xbox/PlayStation versions |
How they differ in real use
Built from our over ear gaming scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless and the Audeze Maxwell 2 made our Top 5 Over-ear Headphones for Gaming, at #1 (best overall) and #2 (best premium). The most well-rounded gaming headset available. Unlimited battery via hot-swap system, <2ms latency, true hybrid ANC, and simultaneous 2.4GHz + Bluetooth. Used by pro esports players including Faker. The only gaming headset that excels in every category, and street price has dropped to around $313. Audeze's CES 2026 redesign of its flagship, replacing the discontinued original Maxwell. Still built around 90mm planar magnetic drivers—the largest in any gaming headset—now with SLAM technology for punchier bass and spatial immersion, an upgraded AI noise-suppression mic, and a wider, breathable headband for better long-session comfort.
We score over-ear headphones for gaming on Positional Audio (30%), Microphone Quality (25%), Latency (20%), Comfort (15%) and Features (10%). On that basis the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless totals 9.2 out of 10 and the Audeze Maxwell 2 9.1. The widest gap is Positional Audio, where the Audeze Maxwell 2 scores 10 against 9 for the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless — spatial accuracy for gaming. Latency also separates them: 10 for the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless versus 8.5 for the Audeze Maxwell 2.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Driver Size — 40mm Hi-Fi neodymium on the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless versus 90mm planar magnetic on the Audeze Maxwell 2; Frequency Response — 10Hz-40kHz on the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless versus 10Hz-50kHz on the Audeze Maxwell 2; Connectivity — 2.4GHz + Bluetooth simultaneous on the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless versus 2.4GHz + Bluetooth 5.3 on the Audeze Maxwell 2; Battery — Unlimited (hot-swap) on the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless versus 80 hours on the Audeze Maxwell 2; Weight — ~338g on the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless versus 560g on the Audeze Maxwell 2.
Pricing as of August 5, 2026: $313 for the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless and $329 for the Audeze Maxwell 2, a $16 difference in the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless's favor. Owners praise the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless for unlimited battery (hot-swap system) and true hybrid ANC (blocks 81% of noise); the most common complaint is very expensive. Owners praise the Audeze Maxwell 2 for 90mm planar magnetic drivers (largest in gaming) and SLAM technology adds heightened spatial immersion and bass punch; the most common complaint is very heavy—inherits the original's substantial build.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
- Unlimited battery (hot-swap system)
- True hybrid ANC (blocks 81% of noise)
- GameDAC Gen 2 with OLED display
- Game-specific EQ presets (Sonar software)
- Very expensive
- Complex setup
- Bulky base station required
Audeze Maxwell 2
- 90mm planar magnetic drivers (largest in gaming)
- SLAM technology adds heightened spatial immersion and bass punch
- 80-hour battery life
- Upgraded AI mic with 2x noise-suppression bandwidth
- Very heavy—inherits the original's substantial build
- Expensive
- Requires buying Xbox or PlayStation version separately for console use
Which should you buy?
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is the better fit for hardcore gamers and those wanting ANC in gaming — it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Latency and Features. The Audeze Maxwell 2 is the better fit for competitive FPS players and audiophile gamers, and the stronger choice if Positional Audio matters more to you than the overall score. Since the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is both the higher scorer and $16 cheaper, the Audeze Maxwell 2 only makes sense for competitive FPS players. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is a poor fit for minimalists; the Audeze Maxwell 2 is a poor fit for those sensitive to weight.
Choose the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless if
- Hardcore gamers
- Those wanting ANC in gaming
- Esports enthusiasts
Skip it if
- Minimalists
- Budget gamers
Choose the Audeze Maxwell 2 if
- Competitive FPS players
- Audiophile gamers
- Those wanting best positional audio
Skip it if
- Those sensitive to weight
- Budget gamers
Common questions
Is the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless better than the Audeze Maxwell 2?
In our Over-ear Headphones for Gaming ranking the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless scores higher overall, 9.2 to 9.1, with the biggest advantage in Positional Audio. The Audeze Maxwell 2 is stronger on Positional Audio, so it is the better pick if that matters most to you.
How much more does the Audeze Maxwell 2 cost than the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless?
$16 more as of August 5, 2026: $329 for the Audeze Maxwell 2 against $313 for the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. Prices move, so the merchant page shows the current figure.
What is the main difference between the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless and the Audeze Maxwell 2?
The headline spec difference is Driver Size: 40mm Hi-Fi neodymium on the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless versus 90mm planar magnetic on the Audeze Maxwell 2. In use, the gap that matters most is Positional Audio (9 vs 10 in our scoring): spatial accuracy for gaming.