The Audeze Maxwell meets
the HyperX Cloud III S Wireless
90mm planar magnetic drivers that reviewers compare to upgrading from 1080p to 4K. We tested it head-to-head against the HyperX Cloud III S Wireless ($180) across 7 key dimensions.
Audeze Maxwell
“90mm planar magnetic drivers that reviewers compare to upgrading from 1080p to 4K”
HyperX Cloud III S Wireless
“Flagship sound at half the price with a 120-hour battery that makes charging an afterthought”
Head-to-Head Breakdown
Strengths & Weaknesses
Audeze Maxwell
- 90mm planar magnetic drivers deliver what Consumer Tech Review calls 'transcendent' audiophile sound quality
- 80+ hour battery life means weeks of gaming between charges per 10BestOnes
- Premium metal and leather build that Consumer Tech Review calls 'buy it for life'
- 490g weight causes neck fatigue during marathon sessions, every reviewer flagged this
- Companion software is buggy, basic, and uninspired per Consumer Tech Review
- Sidetone has an audible static hum that CJKnowsTECH found annoying enough to dock major points
HyperX Cloud III S Wireless
- GadgetryTech's ear simulator measurements show it going toe-to-toe with $300 flagships out of the box
- 120-hour battery life. 10BestOnes says you can forget charging is a thing
- Light clamp force and plush aluminum chassis make it supremely comfortable per GadgetryTech
- No simultaneous Bluetooth, you can't mix phone audio with game audio
- Mic sounds overly processed with reduced natural vocal clarity per The Headphone Show
- Sealed leatherette ear pads trap heat during long sessions
The Verdict
Our Bottom Line
The HyperX Cloud III S scores higher because it leads on Comfort (15%) and Battery Life (10%). 80 hours vs the Audeze's 70, and significantly lighter on the head. We chose the Audeze Maxwell as Best Overall because its planar magnetic drivers deliver audiophile-grade sound quality that no other gaming headset can match. If you hear the difference, nothing else comes close.
Audeze Maxwell
The Audeze Maxwell won because nothing else sounds like it. GadgetryTech tested dozens of headsets on his ear simulator rig, and the Maxwell's 90mm planar magnetic drivers produce a width and detail that dynamic drivers physically cannot match. Consumer Tech Review described the experience as "transcendent", not better-than-average, but a different category of audio entirely. The Techne compared the jump in clarity to going from 1080p to 4K: footsteps in Battlefield have spatial depth, orchestral scores in single-player games gain texture you didn't know the mix contained.
- You play immersive single-player games where environmental audio detail transforms the experience
- You listen to music and watch films on the same headset and want audiophile fidelity
- You value build quality and longevity, this headset is built for years of daily use
- You don't mind 490g on your head and typically game in 1-2 hour sessions
- Your budget is $300 and you'd rather invest in the drivers than in features like ANC
HyperX Cloud III S Wireless
The HyperX Cloud III S Wireless won Best Value because GadgetryTech measured its frequency response on calibrated equipment and found it matching the Audeze Maxwell's tuning accuracy out of the box. At $180, that's a $120 savings for sound quality that trained ears struggle to distinguish in blind tests. The Headphone Show confirmed: the Cloud III S handles treble without harshness and bass without bloat, a balance that typically requires manual EQ at this price.
- You play competitive multiplayer where clear footsteps matter more than audiophile detail
- You want to charge your headset once a month and never think about battery again
- Long sessions are your norm and you need lightweight comfort under 350g
- You're spending $180 and want sound quality that punches two price tiers above
- A no-fuss setup appeals to you, good sound out of the box without EQ tweaking