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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the AKG K361 and Audeze Maxwell depends largely on your priorities and budget. The AKG K361 is significantly more affordable and offers wired connectivity with good overall sound quality, suitable for casual listening and professional use given its over-ear, closed-back design. They are also lighter and foldable, enhancing their portability. However, they lack built-in controls and a microphone, which could be a drawback for calls or gaming. The Audeze Maxwell, while more expensive, provides advanced features like wireless connectivity, excellent built-in controls, a high-quality microphone, and support for virtual surround, which is great for an immersive experience in gaming and TV. The Maxwell's also have a solid build quality, longer battery life, and are optimized with app controls, making them better suited for a wide range of uses, including calls and meetings. If you are looking for a premium experience and willing to invest, the Maxwell’s are a superior choice, but for those on a tighter budget or who don’t need wireless and mic features, the K361 will suffice. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the AKG K361
- The AKG K361 has no clear advantages over the Audeze Maxwell.
Advantages of the Audeze Maxwell
- Very good for music
- Very good for phone calls
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.5
8.4
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for music, while the AKG K361 is good.
Gaming
6.3
9.0
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for gaming, while the AKG K361 is only fair.
Phone Calls
3.2
8.7
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for phone calls, while the AKG K361 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.0
9.4
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the AKG K361 is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
8.9
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for TV and video, while the AKG K361 is good.
Battery
N/A
78.0 Hours
The AKG K361 does not have a battery. The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life.
Cost
$98
$299
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The AKG K361 has a price of $98 and the Audeze Maxwell costs $299.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The Audeze Maxwell has excellent build quality, while the AKG K361 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
6.0
6.0
The AKG K361 and Audeze Maxwell are both only fair for noise reduction.
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How the AKG K361 and the Audeze Maxwell compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| AKG K361 | Audeze Maxwell |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$98 | $299 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | AKG | Audeze | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2018 | January 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 8.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.4/10 | 9.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 78 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 219 Grams | 498.9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
AKG K361
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Dig into reviews and images
Medium
Alex Rowe | November 2019
"The K361 retains much of what makes the K371 such a winner, though it has a leaner sound, and the build changes made to trim the price down are immediately apparent. Still, it’s another excellent offering from AKG, and other companies in this fight should either be very worried or quickly designing updates to their old models."
Audeze Maxwell
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Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | August 2023
"Despite a few caveats, the Audeze Maxwell is one of the best-performing gaming headsets on the market and should top the ranks for a few buyers — provided the budget (and neck strength) is there. Gaming headsets have their work cut out for them, and their audience is historically unkind to performance flaws. If you’re an older gamer with some cash to blow, you should be pleased with the Audeze Maxwell."
Get a great deal on the AKG K361 or the Audeze Maxwell
About Audeze
Audeze is an, award-winning, American premium headphone manufacturer based in California. Founded in 2008, their products are developed around aerospace materials technology first used by NASA and are widely used by enthusiasts and professionals alike, not only in the fields of music and sound engineering but also in e-sports and the health industry.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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