Audeze, renowned for its premium headphones and award-winning technology, has just raised the bar at CES 2024 with the announcement of their latest marvel, the CRBN2 electrostatic headphone. Building on their legacy of innovation, Audeze introduces the CRBN2 equipped with their patent-pending Symmetric Linear Acoustic Modulator (SLAM) technology. This pioneering feature promises an unmatched level of transparency and bass response, delivering a deeply tactile and vividly immersive listening experience.
As a journalist with a passion for cutting-edge audio technology and immersive sound experiences, Audeze’s CES 2025 announcement is an event I couldn’t afford to not write about. Audeze has consistently pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in the realm of high-fidelity audio, and their latest advancements are poised to revolutionize the industry yet again. This year, Audeze has not only unveiled the groundbreaking CRBN2 electrostatic headphones but also made waves with their new line of Xbox-related headphones designed to offer gamers an unparalleled audio experience. The synergy between their high-fidelity soundscapes and innovative technology promises to deliver an auditory adventure like no other. Covering this announcement allowed me to merge the exciting intersection of gaming and high-end audio and share the transformative potential of quality gaming focus.
The CRBN2 headphones are over-ear, open-back headphones featuring push-pull electrostatic transducers with a 580 VDC Stax Pro Bias. The transducer capacitance is 100 pF, and the ultra-thin polyimide film diaphragm is infused with carbon nanotubes for precisely controlled electrical conductivity.
The CRBN2 represents a significant leap in electrostatic headphone technology. At its core, it boasts Audeze’s second-generation carbon-nanotube electrostatic driver, meticulously engineered for superior sound fidelity. Debuting in the CRBN2, SLAM technology optimizes air pressure distribution across the driver, enhancing low-frequency performance without increasing distortion. The result is a headphone that offers powerful, lifelike bass response and rich, holographic spatial imaging, setting a new benchmark in high-end audio.
Audeze CEO Sankar Thiagasamudram shared his excitement, stating, “With CRBN2, we’ve pushed the boundaries of electrostatic technology even further, introducing our new SLAM system to deliver the most lifelike bass and transparency ever achieved in an electrostatic headphone. Our goal was to create an immersive experience that truly brings music to life leveraging the audio innovations Audeze is known for.”
The SLAM system, a patent-pending acoustic technology, enhances selected low frequencies while improving phase response, giving the CRBN2 a bass response that is both physical and lifelike. This breakthrough enables incredibly immersive stereo imaging and a soundstage presentation that brings every performance to life as if the artist were in the room with the listener.
The design of the CRBN2 features premium materials, including luxurious leather earpads and a suspension headband strap, ensuring comfort during hours of listening. Weighing a mere 480 grams and devoid of heavy magnets, the electrostatic design guarantees long-term comfort and wearability.
Adding to its versatility, the CRBN2 is compatible with all 580-volt bias electrostatic amplifiers, allowing audio enthusiasts to enjoy its superior sound quality with their existing systems. The CRBN line itself originated from a collaboration with Prof. Mark S. Cohen, Ph.D., and his team at the UCLA School of Medicine to develop headphones for MRI machines. This project led to the creation of the unique, non-ferrous carbon-nanotube film-based electrostatic driver, which has been adapted and refined in the CRBN2 to deliver one of the most accurate and immersive audio experiences available today.
The SLAM Technology is integrated for earcup pressure relief and bass enhancement, managing the 120mm x 90mm transducer. These headphones offer a frequency response of 10Hz to 40kHz, with a maximum SPL of over 120dB and a THD of less than 0.1% at 90dB. The sensitivity is 100dB at 1KHz with a 100V RMS. The cable is 2.5 meters of OCC monocrystal copper, wired with a 5-pin Pro Bias connector. The housing is crafted from magnesium, stainless steel, and polymer acetate, while the earpads and headband are made from premium leather and carbon fiber respectively. Weighing approximately 480 grams, the CRBN2 headphones retail for a whopping $5,995 and are available on the Audeze website.
For audiophiles seeking unparalleled sound quality and innovation, and have the cash to satiate that desire, the CRBN2 is set to redefine the listening experience.
Maxwell Wasabi Edition
Audeze also brought up their latest addition to their Maxwell lineup—a new Xbox-branded Maxwell gaming headset. While the Maxwell headphones originally launched in 2022, the new Xbox-specific Maxwell Wasabi version was announced in October and hit the shelves in December 2024. With ultra-low-latency wireless performance and a class-leading 80+ hours of battery life, these headsets are set to redefine the gaming audio experience.
Audeze’s latest release caters to both Xbox and PlayStation gamers. The Xbox & PC version is officially licensed by Microsoft and includes the first auto-activating Dolby Atmos license, while the PlayStation & PC version supports Tempest 3D Audio. This new addition continues the legacy of Audeze’s purpose-built gaming headsets like the LCD-GX and Mobius, which have garnered rave reviews for their innovative audio performance and headtracking technology.
Maxwell allows gamers to connect and play without limitations, delivering ultra-low-latency, high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/96kHz when using the included USB dongle. The wireless range and stability have been significantly improved, boasting a 3x increase compared to the award-winning Audeze Penrose headset. With a variety of wired and wireless connection options, including the latest Bluetooth 5.3 LE Audio technology supporting LC3 and LC3plus codecs, Maxwell ensures high-quality portable audio. The headset also supports classic Bluetooth codecs like SBC, AAC, and LDAC, and offers lossless high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/96kHz over wired USB.
Audeze’s proprietary lag-free AI-powered noise filtration technology, first introduced with the FILTER Speakerphone (one of Time Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2022), ensures crystal-clear communication in any environment. This hardware-based AI system automatically eliminates background noise at the touch of a button, with no additional software or setup required. Gamers’ communication is further enhanced by five built-in microphones and a detachable boom mic designed by Shure.
Maxwell delivers studio-quality sound and lifelike, powerful dynamics with Audeze’s latest planar magnetic drivers. These 90mm drivers, made in California, offer three times more surface area than competitors’ drivers, providing incredible sonic detail, authority, and impact. The headset’s chassis features a spring-steel headband with an adjustable suspension strap for long-term comfort, while the earcups’ reinforced dual-chamber design ensures class-leading passive noise isolation.
While the Maxwell Wasabi’s are a co-branded experience between Microsoft and Audeze, the Maxwell brand caters to both PC and console gamers, offering features like Game-Chat mix, advanced gaming presets, and personalized multi-band EQ. It is also accompanied by the Audeze HQ gaming app, which provides users access to a range of customizable features.
The new Xbox-branded Maxwell Wasabi’s retails for $349 and includes a Dolby Atmos license, while the PlayStation version is available for $299. Both versions support Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Nintendo Switch, with the first shipments starting to roll out at the end of last year.
