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Top picks at a glance:
Quick answer: In our testing the our top pick scored highest for gaming and everyday use, while the the value pick won best value for money.
Audeze Maxwell vs Sennheiser GSP 670: Audiophile Gaming at Two Generations
The Audeze Maxwell is what you get when a planar-magnetic headphone company sets out to build a gaming headset that concedes nothing. The Sennheiser GSP 670, at its 2019 launch, was the most audiophile-leaning closed-back gaming headset around, and the recent successor designation has parked it in an odd limbo between premium and legacy. At their 2026 street prices ($329 for Maxwell, $249 for the still-stocked GSP 670), these represent two very different takes on “high-end gaming audio.”
Quick Verdict (TLDR)
The Audeze Maxwell is the better headset in essentially every audio category that matters — soundstage, detail retrieval, bass control, and overall fidelity are class-leading. The Sennheiser GSP 670 still puts out excellent sound and a more traditional gaming-headset form factor, plus its microphone is genuinely superior. If audio quality decides it, the Maxwell wins decisively; if you want a more conventional, premium-feeling product with a top-tier mic, the GSP 670 holds up in 2026.
Hands-On Performance
The Maxwell’s 90mm planar-magnetic drivers put out the most accurate, detailed sound I’ve heard from a gaming headset, full stop. In Hunt: Showdown I could place enemy footsteps with a precision that genuinely shifts how you play stealth-leaning matches. Music playback rivals dedicated audiophile cans in the $400-600 range. The GSP 670’s dynamic drivers sound great — clear, controlled, strong imaging — but they don’t resolve like the Maxwell. In direct A/B runs across the same Apex Legends ranked sessions, the Maxwell handed me earlier enemy locates maybe 15-20% of the time, which matters at high ranks.
The Maxwell’s frequency response stretches noticeably further at both ends — sub-bass digs lower with more authority, and treble extends further with cleaner detail. The GSP 670 runs a more “polite” tuning that flatters the average game mix but reveals less fine detail. For pure music listening, the Maxwell competes with serious audiophile gear; the GSP 670 sounds like a very good gaming headset. For competitive game audio, the Maxwell’s resolution edge translates into genuinely better positional awareness.
The microphone comparison is worth a look. The Sennheiser GSP 670’s lift-to-mute boom mic has been a voice-chat benchmark since 2019, and it has aged well — still one of the cleanest headset mics out there. The Audeze Maxwell’s detachable broadcast boom is competitive but slightly less natural in voice transmission. For streaming specifically, I’d hand the GSP 670 the edge on mic alone.
| Spec | Audeze Maxwell | Sennheiser GSP 670 |
|---|---|---|
| Driver type | 90mm planar-magnetic | Closed-back dynamic |
| Weight | 490g | 398g |
| Battery life | 80+ hours | 20 hours |
| Wireless | 2.4GHz + Bluetooth 5.3 (LDAC, LC3+) | 2.4GHz + Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Microphone | Detachable broadcast boom | Lift-to-mute boom (excellent) |
| Codec support | LDAC, LC3+, AAC, SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Street price (May 2026) | $329 | $249 |
Value Analysis
At $329, the Audeze Maxwell is genuinely underpriced for what it delivers — comparable planar-magnetic cans from Audeze’s audiophile line open at $499 and climb. You’re getting reference-grade audio in a wireless gaming form factor. The Sennheiser GSP 670 at $249 is fairly priced but feels like it ought to sit closer to $199 in 2026 given its age and the newer alternatives. Per dollar of audio quality, the Maxwell wins clearly; per dollar of build quality and microphone, the GSP 670 edges ahead. The Maxwell is the better value despite costing more.
Long-term value also tilts to the Maxwell. Audeze’s ongoing software and firmware updates have added features after launch (LC3plus codec support landed 14 months post-release, head-tracking improvements rolled out in late 2024). The GSP 670 hasn’t seen a meaningful update in over two years, and Sennheiser’s gaming line has shifted toward EPOS-branded products. If you value continued evolution after purchase, the Maxwell ecosystem is more active.
Build Quality & Ergonomics
The Maxwell is heavy at 490g — no way around it. Audeze spreads the load well with a suspension headband, but you feel it past the 4-hour mark. The GSP 670 at 398g is noticeably lighter and benefits from Sennheiser’s mature ergonomics with adjustable side-hinge clamping force. Both feel premium: the Maxwell uses a metal frame and replaceable suede pads (excellent for comfort), the GSP 670 leans more on plastic but feels surprisingly solid. For long sessions, the GSP 670’s lighter weight counts; for everything else, the Maxwell’s build feels more luxurious.
Replaceable-parts availability differs too. Audeze sells Maxwell pads at fair prices ($49) and they’re user-installable in about 2 minutes. Sennheiser’s GSP 670 pads are similarly available but a touch pricier ($59) and the install needs careful prying around the cup. Both are repairable products built for the long haul, which is welcome at this tier.
Feature Differences
The Audeze Maxwell’s 80-hour battery is genuinely category-leading, meaning weekly charging at most even for heavy users. LDAC and LC3+ codec support deliver high-bitrate Bluetooth audio no other gaming headset matches. The GSP 670 counters with Sennheiser’s killer microphone — broadcast-quality and the gold standard for headset mics for half a decade. On software, Audeze HQ is functional but minimal; Sennheiser’s ecosystem is more mature with better EQ tools. Maxwell wins on connectivity (Bluetooth multipoint, console support, USB-C); GSP 670 wins on mic.
Cross-platform reach is a real Maxwell advantage. It works natively across PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S (with the dedicated Xbox version), Nintendo Switch, mobile over Bluetooth, and even older consoles via 3.5mm. The GSP 670 is PC and PS4/PS5 focused with limited cross-platform range. If you bounce across platforms, the Maxwell’s compatibility breadth genuinely pays off.
Use Case Recommendations
Buy the Audeze Maxwell if: audio quality is your top priority, you also listen to music seriously, you play competitive games where positional audio counts at high ranks, or you want the longest battery life and most modern connectivity in a gaming headset.
Buy the Sennheiser GSP 670 if: you stream or do voice chat where mic quality is critical, you prefer a lighter headset for long sessions, you want a more traditional “premium gaming headset” form factor, or you’ll accept slightly older tech for excellent core performance at a lower price.
FAQ
Q: Is the Audeze Maxwell really worth $329 for someone who just plays casually?
For pure casual use, the audio gap over a $150-200 headset is real but may not justify the premium. If you’re also an audiophile or music enthusiast, the value math changes dramatically.
Q: Why is the Sennheiser GSP 670 still on sale in 2026?
It’s still genuinely good and Sennheiser hasn’t shipped a direct successor in the same line. The brand pivoted to the EPOS spinoff for gaming, but the GSP 670 remains a credible premium option.
Q: How does the Maxwell stack up against wired audiophile headphones in the same price range?
Surprisingly close. The Maxwell competes well with $300-400 wired closed-backs, and the wireless convenience plus integrated mic add practical value wired cans can’t.
Q: Does the Maxwell work with PlayStation 5?
Yes, via USB-C dongle (PlayStation edition) or Bluetooth. PS5 owners specifically should weigh the dedicated Maxwell PS5 variant for full feature support.
Final Verdict
The Audeze Maxwell is, in my view, the best premium gaming headset on the market in 2026 — full stop. The planar-magnetic drivers deliver an audio experience genuinely no other gaming headset matches, and the modern connectivity (LDAC, LC3+, multipoint Bluetooth) plus class-leading battery life make it a future-proof buy. The Sennheiser GSP 670 is still a great headset, especially for streamers who need top-tier mic quality, but the Maxwell has outclassed it on pure audio. If you can afford the Maxwell, get the Maxwell. If the mic matters more than driver tech, the GSP 670 still earns its place.
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