Compare Audeze Maxwell vs Asus ROG Cetra Open

Reviewers consistently frame sound quality as the Maxwell's core strength, often calling it best-in-class or audiophile-grade for a wireless gaming headset.

Sound quality is good for many gaming-focused users, especially for dialogue and positional cues, but it is not a universal win. Some reviewers hear clean, detailed audio while others describe the presentation as thin, compressed, or harsh.

Passive isolation is mostly praised thanks to the closed cups and pads, though one reviewer found outside sound cut through more than expected.

Passive isolation is essentially nonexistent by design. That is useful for awareness, but it makes noisy environments and fully immersive gaming poor fits.

Bass is usually praised as punchy, detailed, and controlled, though a few reviewers note it is not a boomy basshead tuning without EQ.

Bass is the most divisive part of the tuning. Phantom Bass can add useful punch, but many reviewers still hear weak sub-bass or thin impact compared with sealed earbuds, while a smaller group finds the low end surprisingly satisfying.

Active noise cancellation is absent, and reviewers who care about ANC treat that omission as a real limitation.

Immersion Mode only softens steady background noise and is nowhere near full ANC. A few users notice a small benefit, but most reviewers treat noise reduction as secondary to the open-ear design.

Frequency response evidence is highly positive, with reviewers highlighting target matching, linearity, and controlled tuning.

Default tuning was described as reasonably clean and usable, though one reviewer still preferred the flatter EQ setting.

Soundstage earns strong praise from several gaming-focused reviews, while audiophile and competitive reviewers describe it as merely adequate or narrower than some rivals.

The open design generally creates a spacious presentation, with several reviewers praising the wide soundstage and stereo image.

Microphone noise reduction is one of the most praised non-audio features, repeatedly removing keyboard, fan, vacuum, and ambient noise effectively.

Noise suppression works well in many tests, keeping speech understandable while reducing fans, background media, and ambient chatter.

Spatial audio is usually a useful immersion bonus, especially on PS5 Tempest or Dolby, but some reviewers avoid it for competitive play.

Positional performance is strong for games, especially footsteps and directional cues. A few tests find rear localization or Dolby Atmos rendering less convincing.

Audio-video sync evidence is positive where tested, with no noticeable lags or delays during games and movies.

Low-latency gaming is one of the clearest strengths. The 2.4GHz dongle repeatedly delivers near-wired responsiveness and excellent sync for shooters, rhythm games, handhelds, and console play.

Maximum-volume clarity is praised because highs remain clean and the headset avoids harshness or distortion when turned up.

At high levels, clarity can break down with sharp treble or bass distortion. The earbuds have plenty of headroom, but pushing them hard is not their best use.

Sidetone is the most consistently criticized feature, with noise, feedback, static, and bugs outweighing one positive report about loud monitoring.

The open design provides a very natural ability to hear your own voice during chat, which one reviewer particularly appreciated.

Xbox compatibility favors the Xbox version for broader platform support and Dolby Atmos, but PlayStation support may carry risk or limitations.

Xbox support is absent, which one reviewer flags as a concrete platform limitation even while noting the broader USB-C ecosystem constraint.

Carry case quality is effectively poor because one reviewer explicitly criticized the absence of any case or bag.

The case draws mixed reactions. Some owners like its quality and dongle storage, but many reviewers criticize its bulky size, plasticky feel, or missing premium touches.

Cable quality has limited scored evidence; one reviewer calls the included USB-C cable very basic.

The included charging cable received a positive mention and was viewed as a useful part of the package.

Volume output is considered ample, with reviewers describing the headset as plenty loud or unusually powerful.

The earbuds get very loud, but the volume curve is uneven. Several reviewers complain that even low settings are too loud, while others appreciate the strong headroom.

Treble is generally controlled and clear, but some reviewers hear too much brightness or less openness depending on EQ and use case.

Treble is another polarizing area. Some reviewers praise crisp detail, but many hear excessive brightness, sibilance, or piercing highs at louder levels.

Multi-platform compatibility is a strength where discussed, with reviewers emphasizing broad support across common gaming and media devices.

The dongle works across a wide range of PCs, handhelds, phones, and consoles, but platform-specific quirks appear on Steam Deck, Mac, and PS5 in some reviews.

Included accessories are praised for quality and usefulness, especially the included adapter and cables.

The dongle and charging cable are useful additions, while the reflective neck strap is more mixed because some find it stiff or uncomfortable.

Integrated microphone evidence is mostly negative, with several reviewers calling the built-in mics bad, compressed, or inferior to the boom mic.

The built-in microphones are considered decent for an earbud design, especially for casual chat rather than broadcast-quality recording.

Dongle impressions are mixed, with praise for range or form factor offset by artifacting, connection failures, or USB-controller sensitivity.

The 2.4GHz USB-C dongle is central to the appeal, delivering excellent low-latency gaming and useful passthrough charging. A few units show disconnects or awkward port blocking, so reliability is not universal.

Portability is limited by the large, heavy cups, even when they fold flat.

Portability is a recurring weakness because the charging case is unusually large and thick. Several reviewers say it is barely pocketable or not pocket-friendly at all.

Instrument separation and detail retrieval are repeatedly praised, with reviewers noting clear layering in music, games, and busy mixes.

Game-audio separation is consistently strong. Reviewers can distinguish footsteps, dialogue, and competing sounds clearly enough for competitive play.

Stability is mostly strong for wireless range or physical fit, though Bluetooth distance artifacts appear in one review.

Physical fit is highly secure for most users. The hooks stay put during running, workouts, and active movement, though a few ear shapes struggle with fit.

Preset EQ profiles are context-dependent: some gaming presets help, while music performance can suffer and some profiles sound poor.

Presets and Phantom Bass can improve the listening experience, but results vary. Some users call Phantom Bass essential, while others find presets subtle or dislike the default communication profile.

Midrange clarity is mostly described as clear, natural, or accurate, with occasional criticism that gaming tuning can make vocals sound thin or recessed.

Mids are usually a strength, with clear dialogue, vocals, and footsteps. A few reviewers hear lower-mid thinness, but speech intelligibility remains strong.

Ear cup swivel evidence is positive, with one reviewer noting the cups rested comfortably around the neck.

The rounded arm allows useful rotation around the ear, making it easier to dial in a comfortable position.

Transparency-style passthrough is strongly praised in one review for realism and lack of harshness.

The open-ear effect was judged more natural and effective for hearing surroundings than typical electronic transparency modes.

Value for money is strongly positive overall: many reviewers call the price justified despite acknowledging the upfront cost.

Price is the most consistent purchasing objection. Even positive reviewers often call the $230 class price steep, and several experts say cheaper gaming earbuds or headsets offer better overall value.

Multipoint and wireless source handling are mixed: Bluetooth multipoint can help, but lack of simultaneous Bluetooth plus dongle playback frustrates several reviewers.

Multipoint is excellent when it works, with fast switching and useful dual-device behavior. Several reviews, however, criticize unpredictable switching or the lack of simultaneous audio in certain setups.

Codec support is well regarded because reviewers value LDAC, LE Audio, LC3/LC3plus, and other higher-quality or future-facing options.

AAC and SBC are considered adequate for the gaming-focused use case, though one expert would have preferred higher-bandwidth codec options.

Bluetooth performance has limited scored evidence here, with one reviewer reporting annoying stutter at distance.

Bluetooth works well for ordinary listening in several reviews, but reliability is inconsistent. Some owners report slow pairing, disconnects, or worse sound than the 2.4GHz dongle.

Call and chat microphone evidence is adequate rather than studio-grade, with the boom mic considered good enough for work calls or gaming.

Mic quality is mixed but generally usable. Many reviewers find voice chat clear and good for earbuds, while several customers report thin, robotic, or poor-sounding voice transmission.

The app/software experience is mixed-to-negative overall, ranging from stable but basic to buggy, clunky, incomplete, or unreliable.

Gear Link is polarizing: several reviewers love the browser/mobile flexibility and deep controls, while others find it buggy, hidden, web-dependent, or awkward during firmware setup.

Setup simplicity is mostly positive for plug-and-play use and firmware guidance, though some reviewers criticize broader UX/app friction.

Setup experiences vary sharply. Some users get simple plug-and-play operation, while others encounter hidden apps, multiple utilities, web-only controls, or convoluted firmware update steps.

EQ customization is valued because the headset responds well to EQ, though reviewers criticize clunky interfaces and occasional access limitations.

The EQ is highly useful and often materially improves the sound. Several reviewers say tuning or Phantom Bass turns a mediocre out-of-box presentation into something much better.

Physical controls are often appreciated, but reviewers also mention a learning curve, confusing multifunction wheels, or poor placement.

Physical buttons are easy to find and tactile, but the default multi-press scheme is contentious. Four presses for volume and three presses for mute or assistant functions feel unnecessarily cumbersome to several reviewers.

Weight comfort is the main ergonomic tradeoff: reviewers call it heavy, but many say the distribution keeps it usable for long sessions.

Low weight is consistently praised and helps the earbuds disappear during long sessions despite their visibly chunky shape.

Design and aesthetics are mostly praised as understated, premium, sleek, and non-gamer-looking, though one reviewer finds it clunky.

The styling splits opinion. Some like the flashy gaming look and RGB accents, while others call the buds chunky, angular, oversized, or unattractive.

Long-session comfort is mostly positive despite heat and weight caveats; many reviewers could wear it for hours after adjusting.

Comfort is the product’s strongest consensus advantage. Most reviewers can wear the buds for hours without ear-canal pressure, though a minority experience cartilage pain or poor fit depending on ear shape.

Build quality is mostly praised as sturdy, premium, or tank-like, but early-unit failures and cosmetic wear create some caution.

The earbuds themselves are generally seen as solid or premium, but impressions are less consistent around the plastics. Several reviewers think the materials feel good, while others say parts of the package feel cheaper than the price suggests.

Clamping force is generally viewed positively because it seals without feeling overly tight in most reports.

The ear-hook design applies little pressure for at least one reviewer, helping the buds stay comfortable during long sessions.

Battery life receives near-universal praise, with reviewers repeatedly describing the 80-hour class endurance as impressive or exceptional.

Battery life is usually strong, often lasting through long gaming sessions and in some tests approaching the advertised figures. Heavy use of RGB, Immersion Mode, Phantom Bass, or the mic can cut runtime substantially.

Charging is praised because short top-ups provide many hours or a full day of additional use.

Charging is a strong part of the package, especially the USB-C passthrough on the dongle and quick top-ups. One defective unit failed to charge, but most reviewers praise the convenience and speed.

Android use is generally workable, though one test still found the volume curve aggressive. The earbuds remain usable on Android without the sharper low-volume problem being quite as severe as on iOS.

Built-in DAC and hi-res playback evidence is positive but limited, centered on high-bitrate decoding without external gear.

Connectivity versatility is a major strength because reviewers value Bluetooth, dongle, USB-C, analog, and broad platform support, despite switching caveats.

Console compatibility has real caveats around buying the correct version and uncertain cross-platform wireless behavior.

The wired option is valued as a useful fallback or flexibility feature, even though the headset still needs power.

The detachable microphone is valued because it makes the headset easier to use as headphones for music or travel.

Earpad padding is often plush and comfortable, but repeated caveats mention heat, sweat, thinness, or firmness.

Game/chat balance control is repeatedly praised for quickly adjusting game and voice levels without heavy software dependence.

Glasses compatibility is consistently excellent, with thin hooks and low pressure working well alongside frames. One expert also found the fit comfortable with hats and sunglasses.

Headband adjustability is one of the clearest weaknesses, with reviewers criticizing the limited notches, awkward strap, and imperfect fit granularity.

LDAC receives positive evidence, with one reviewer saying audio quality remained exceptional in LDAC testing.

Microphone performance is mixed: the boom mic can be clear or strong, but some reviewers call it muffled, merely serviceable, or not creator-grade.

Overall opinion is polarized but leans positive for the right niche. Fans love the comfort, awareness, and gaming responsiveness, while critics are pushed away by price, sound compromises, or software instability.

One customer received a unit that appeared used or refurbished, with misaligned protective films and a dead earbud.

Packaging quality has limited but positive evidence, with one reviewer calling the packaging luxurious.

Replaceable earpads receive positive evidence because reviewers describe the pads as easy to remove, replace, or swap.

Wear detection is a useful convenience, automatically stopping playback when the earbuds are removed.

Situational awareness is nearly universally praised. Reviewers can hear conversations, doorbells, traffic, children, and room activity without removing the earbuds.

Smudge resistance is weak in the one scored review, which says the cups show oil after handling.

One video describes the controls as responsive and intuitive, giving them a very positive usability assessment.

USB-C implementation is excellent where discussed, particularly the case-friendly dongle plug and passthrough charging that keeps handhelds or phones powered.

IPX5 earbud protection is viewed as well suited to workouts, sweat, and light rain, supporting the product’s gaming-and-fitness crossover use.

Wireless latency is generally low enough for gaming, though reviewers occasionally report small lag or system-specific issues.

ASUS acknowledged a reported Steam Deck issue and said it was being investigated, but did not promise a fix.

Earpad replacement is praised as easy, with several reviewers noting twist-off or easily removable pads.

Fit and seal reliability are praised where discussed, especially for maintaining passive isolation.

Reliability is the biggest technical concern. Multiple customer reviews report disconnects, one-sided audio, distortion, failed updates, beeping, or erratic behavior, although some users find later firmware dramatically improves performance.

The footsteps-focused feature is useful but not universally ideal; one reviewer preferred more custom EQ control for competitive FPS use.

Positional audio is often excellent for gaming, but competitive-focused reviewers note weaker verticality or pinpoint footstep accuracy than some rivals.

Leakage is better controlled than some open-ear designs, though nearby people may hear faint audio in quiet rooms or at higher volumes.

Hinge durability evidence is negative due to a reported early unit breaking during normal use.

RGB controls are extensive and easy to personalize, with effects, brightness, and colors available. Some reviewers enjoy the style, while others see lighting as garish or unnecessary battery drain.

Manual voice-assistant activation via a triple press was viewed as redundant and not a good use of the control scheme.