Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black
Over-ear · 2017
Audeze Maxwell (PS5 Edition)
Gaming · 2022 · PS5 Edition
Audeze Maxwell (PS5 Edition) takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black lands at 84 and Audeze Maxwell (PS5 Edition) at 92. That puts Audeze Maxwell (PS5 Edition) ahead by 8 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black if…
- ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- ✓Premium build
- ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)
Pick Audeze Maxwell (PS5 Edition) if…
- ✓Low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless (most)
- ✓Detachable broadcast mic
- ✓Console compatibility
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testSound quality
Audeze Maxwell (PS5 Edition)Tuning, detail, and staging
Audeze Maxwell (PS5 Edition) leads on sound (92 vs 84).
Noise cancelling
Bose QC 35 II · Midnight BlackANC strength for commute and travel
Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black leads on anc (82 vs 70).
Comfort
Audeze Maxwell (PS5 Edition)Long-session wearability
Audeze Maxwell (PS5 Edition) leads on comfort (90 vs 83).
Value for money
Audeze Maxwell (PS5 Edition)Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
Audeze Maxwell (PS5 Edition) more score per dollar ($299 vs $349).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black | Audeze Maxwell (PS5 Edition) |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-ear | Gaming headset |
| Release year | 2017 | 2022 |
| Variant | — | PS5 Edition |
Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black
- +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- +Premium build
- +Active noise cancellation (most models)
- −Battery varies by codec
- −Some are Bluetooth-only
- −Price creep vs previous gen
Audeze Maxwell (PS5 Edition)
- +Low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless (most)
- +Detachable broadcast mic
- +Console compatibility
- −Bulkier than audiophile cans
- −Game-tuned EQ
- −Software required on PC
FAQ: Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black vs Audeze Maxwell (PS5 Edition)
Which is better, Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black or Audeze Maxwell (PS5 Edition)? +
Audeze Maxwell (PS5 Edition) scores 92 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 8. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black worth the price? +
At $349, Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black delivers a Specdex score of 84 — strongest in sound.
Is Audeze Maxwell (PS5 Edition) worth the price? +
At $299, Audeze Maxwell (PS5 Edition) delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in sound.
Does Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black or Audeze Maxwell (PS5 Edition) last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for sound quality, Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black or Audeze Maxwell (PS5 Edition)? +
Audeze Maxwell (PS5 Edition) — leads on sound (92 vs 84). Tuning, detail, and staging.
Which is better for noise cancelling, Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black or Audeze Maxwell (PS5 Edition)? +
Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black — leads on anc (82 vs 70). ANC strength for commute and travel.