Audeze Maxwell vs HiFiMan Edition XS

“While that spiel is generally true, there are enthusiasts (like myself) that have and still buy "gaming headphones." Not all of them are terrible, although most are -- hence the stigma. If you want the best wireless gaming headset on the market right now, the easy recommendation is the Audeze Maxwell. The Maxwell isn't just the best gaming headset, but is a genuinely solid wireless headphone in its own right, and the best entry-level planar on the market. It competes with some of my higher-end, dedicated planars as a critical listening/reference headphone (out of the box). There are caveats: It's heavy and bulky. I'd recommend getting the CapraAudio comfort strap to improve comfort; it distributes the weight more evenly and reduces discomfort from heat buildup. The microphone (and sidetone) is subpar and should be replaced with a Modmic wireless later on down the road if you want better quality. I use the default mic, but I'm likely in the minority and simply don't care too much about how I sound, so long as I'm being heard. That is one of only two wireless headsets I would recommend. I've tried most of the other options, including the other "premium" models from Steelseries, Razer, Corsair, etc. None of them are worth the asking price. The Steelseries Nova Pro Wireless isn't quite a dumpster fire (and Sonar is about as close as a gaming company has gotten to developing a parametric EQ), but you're overpaying for the quality of that headset. The second set is probably out of your budget range, which is the Master & Dynamic MG20. It competes with the Maxwell's sound quality, is more comfortable, and has some additional benefits. There are QC issues with this set (like the Maxwell), so just be sure to test it thoroughly before your return/exchange window closes. It is an excellent headset, and was my go-to before the Maxwell and VZR Model One. If he wants to reconsider remaining on a wired setup, the FiiO FT1 coupled with the Meze Boom Mic cable is pretty much my go-to for single-player games. It's a $150 set that competes with headphones many times its price, and the Meze boom mic is a perfect fit and sounds great. You can also take a look at the VZR Model One (wired), the Simgot EM6L or Supermix 4 with a Kinera Ruyi/Gramr cable (wired). Most audio enthusiasts will steer you away from gaming headsets, and I think for a lot of people the best recommendation is a good, dedicated headphone with a separate mic, or a pair of IEMs. But even as an enthusiast, sometimes I just want a single solution, with a single cable or wireless option, with all the buttons and features I would expect from a gaming headset -- in other words, I get it.”

“Sorry everyone. I am really horrible at describing the sound and am very new to this hobby. I spent more time with the XS and the Arya Stealth. The XS seemed a bit warmer to me and the price made it worth it! The HE 1000Unveiled was beautiful sounding. Not as flat as the SE, it felt like it had a little more color in the tuning. That Unveiled would be my dream cans. I loved the Arya Organic too. They sounded huge! It felt like I was in a concert hall and could point out exactly where each instrument was coming from. Depth!, the bass was a little lacking, but it was clean. The Susvara had the best separation. Even better than the Organics to my ears. But they also felt distant, especially vocals. They were detailed. I hope this doesn’t make me sound like a dumbass. LOL. I think my next step up will be the organics.”