Head-to-head · Best Gaming Headsets

Audeze Maxwell 2 vs Fractal Scape

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Fractal Scape comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.1 vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about comfort-focused gamers seeking wireless convenience — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #2 in Best Gaming Headsets

Audeze Maxwell 2

4.1

3 sources1 derived$329as of Aug 1

90mm planar magnetic drivers and 80-hour battery life give the Audeze Maxwell 2 the audio detail and separation competitive FPS players want. Reviewers also found it extremely heavy and short on sub-bass, which hurts for immersive gaming and music. TechteamGB called it 'utter disappointment' over poor microphone quality, while Sidegrade praised the gaming performance but described it as a sidegrade from the original Maxwell. Analytical listeners and competitive gamers get the most out of it; everyone else may be put off by the weight and the bass limitations.

Strengths

— Excellent detail and sound separation for competitive FPS gaming
— 90mm planar magnetic drivers with fast transient response
— 80-hour battery life

Watch-outs

— Incredibly heavy at 562-574 grams
— Limited sub-bass and bass quantity

$329 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Gaming Headsets

Fractal Scape

4.5

5 sources2 derived$199.99as of Aug 1

The Fractal Design Scape is a comfortable wireless gaming headset that covers multiple platforms and sounds good doing it. Reviewers praised the plush fabric construction, the 320g weight for extended wear, and the web-based setup that skips software bloat. It has no surround sound and won't lay flat, but it works well across PC, Mac, and console. The wireless docking station and control crown add convenience, and reviewers generally felt the $199 price was fair for the quality. A good pick for gamers who want a premium, comfortable headset with good audio and no ANC.

Strengths

— Very comfortable with plush fabric that doesn't get hot
— Tuned sound quality out of the box without adjustments needed
— Wireless docking station with wireless charging and 2.4 GHz dongle storage

Watch-outs

— No surround sound or virtual surround sound capabilities
— Cannot be laid flat for storage or travel

$199.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Audeze Maxwell 2

The Audeze Maxwell 2's 90mm planar magnetic drivers outperform the Razer BlackShark V2 X in audio detail, but unlike the Fractal Scape, it lacks wireless connectivity and suffers from excessive weight and bass limitations that make it less ideal for casual or immersive gaming.

Fractal Scape

The Fractal Scape offers superior comfort and a unique control crown compared to the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro, which has a more traditional design and lacks the plush fabric construction. Unlike the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro, it doesn't offer active noise cancellation, but it provides a more intuitive setup experience without software bloat.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Audeze Maxwell 2	Fractal Scape
Connectivity	USB-C wireless dongle, USB-C wired, 3.5mm wired, Bluetooth	2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5.3, USB
Driver Size	90mm planar magnetic	—
Battery Life	Up to 80 hours	Up to 50 hours with RGB off
Microphone	Detachable boom mic with AI noise reduction	Detachable boom mic
Compatibility	PC, Mac, Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and mobile devices	PC, Mac, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, iPhone, Android
Audio Features	10 Hz - 50 kHz	2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C, Parametric EQ
Weight	562-574 grams	320g
Material	—	Fabric, Metal

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