Audeze New Maxwell Planar Magnetic Wireless Gaming Headphones Support LE Audio and LC3plus

Audeze announced Maxwell, a new ultra-low-latency wireless headset with class-leading 80+ hours of battery life, which comes with a Dolby Atmos license for select compatible platforms. With the new model, Audeze introduced a new upgraded, retro-looking earcup design for its planar magnetic drivers. The new design is also its ugliest product ever, but at least it already supports Bluetooth LE Audio, adds support for the LC3plus codec, and offers high-resolution audio over USB-C.

The Bluetooth LE Audio set of specifications, introducing the LC3 codec as the mandatory option for wireless audio streaming, is an important evolution compared to the current default SBC codec. Nevertheless, unlike the current Bluetooth Classic A2DP profile that specifies optional audio codecs, LE Audio didn't offer any options. A recent article in the Fraunhofer IIS blog confirms that a new specification is under development to allow support for the LC3plus high-resolution audio codec.

At IFA 2022 in Berlin, Qualcomm Technologies and Bose highlighted their continued collaboration during Cristiano Amon’s opening keynote. Bose is integrating Qualcomm wireless voice and music platforms across their portfolio of premium earbuds, headphones, speakers and soundbars. Qualcomm also confirmed that the new Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, which are scheduled to be unveiled September 7, will be Powered by the new Qualcomm S5 Sound Platform.

Reacting to the fact that streaming music services have started to offer lossless music streaming options, Qualcomm has now extended its aptX Adaptive set of technologies - supported by its latest Snapdragon Sound processors - to also include a CD-quality lossless option over Bluetooth. The new aptX Lossless technology expands options available for Bluetooth wireless audio, combining codec, wireless link and RF optimizations.