We're putting Embody's spatial audio software to the test with the Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC.
Gaming audio has come a long way from simply turning the volume up. Today, software can completely change how we perceive the world around us... in-game, making footsteps easier to locate, environmental sounds more convincing, and cinematic moments feel more... immersive. I've been a huge fan of immersive audio experiences since I bought my first surround sound system over two decades ago... and my enjoyment has only increased because of the evolution in audio engineering.
That's where Immerse Gaming Hive 2.0 comes in. Developed by Embody, Hive 2.0 isn't a replacement for a good gaming headset—it's designed to work with it. For this hands-on experience, Embody teamed up with Audeze to send over the brand-new Maxwell 2 ANC headphones, originally debuted at CES 2026 so that I could give them a whirl and show you how they... tango.
That said, can software actually make an already excellent headset sound even better?
In order to find out... we actually have to unbox them first, so let's jump in:
What Exactly is Immerse Gaming Hive 2.0?
Many gamers hear the words "audio software" and immediately think... "Oh... this is one of those equalizers." Oh no... no! It's not an equalizer, you can get that through the Audeze app. The Immerse Gaming Hive 2.0 isn't that at all.
Its purpose isn't to simply boost the bass or make explosions louder. Instead, it's designed to create a more realistic three-dimensional soundscape through compatible headphones using advanced spatial audio processing and personalized acoustic modeling.
In other words, it make sounds feel like they're coming from actual locations around you... and pull you deeper into the action to level up your experience and your competitive edge. They want you to hear the zombies climbing through a window in the next room, a helicopter flying overhead to rescue your team from the area, and that crying NPC behind you... that predictably runs like a constipated sloth while you fight off the horde on the way to the chopper. (Okay... maybe not the constipated part, but you know how NPC's can be at times.)
Hive 2.0 works to make those audio cues feel more natural and easier for your brain to place. This isn't just a talking point, get the trial version and turn on/off the Personalized Spatial Audio switch and watch how the audio flattens out quite a bit.
Everyone's ears, head, and upper body shape incoming sound a little differently before it reaches the brain. That's one of the reasons two people can listen to the exact same audio and perceive the positioning just a little differently. So before you even use the software, you're able to do a scan of your head from one side to the other.
From there, the software builds the personalized (HRTF) profile that's unique to you, allowing it to tailor the virtual soundstage to how you naturally hear the world. Shout out to audio & neuroscience!
Now let's get into why the Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC headphones work so well with the Gaming Hive! In addition to the other impressive specs that you can feel and hear with these headphones... Hive 2.0 uses the headset's built-in motion sensors to track your head movements. As your head turns, the virtual soundstage stays anchored to the game world... instead of rotating with your headphones. The result is a stronger sense of presence, as sounds remain fixed where they should be within the environment.
This is perfect for:
- A Next Level Immersive Audio Experience
- Curved Monitor/Multi-Monitor Setups
- Streamers who need to listen out for danger, while reading responses from fans
*Gaming Hive 2.0 allows for webcam-based head tracking to pull of a similar effect, but... Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC's built-in motion sensors allow you to jump right into the head tracking action.
Remastered Genre Presets
Embody also rebuilt its game-specific listening modes for version 2.0. Every game-genre preset rebuilt in 2.0 has cleaner imaging and sharper positioning:
- Immerse Mode – Designed as the all-around profile, with improved front-to-back separation that's especially useful for first-person shooters.
- Close Combat Mode – Pulls sounds closer to create a more intense, cinematic presentation, making it well suited for RPGs, horror games, and racing titles.
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Awaken Mode – Expands the sound field to increase awareness of off-screen audio cues, which can benefit MOBA and isometric games.
Interface
The interface of the Immerse Gaming Hive 2.0 is intuitive enough, as seen here:
Switching between Close Combat Mode, Immerse Mode, Awaken Mode are as simple as clicking on the icons.
By the way, while using the Immerse Gaming Hive 2.0 software, I don't notice any major increases in CPU usage. So no lag got in the way of actually enjoying the audio experience. What I will say is that when you swap between surround sound and headphones, don't forget to go straight to the Immerse Hive software in order to choose which output device you want... not the main sound output settings in your OS (i.e. Windows 11 OS).
To get more specific with the output device, when you click on it... select "Speakers (Game-Audeze Maxwell2 ANC)" if you own and have already selected the headset in the app. This will switch it from the "Chat-Audeze Maxwell2 ANC" that seems to get selected when I open the software and power up the headphones at times.
Also, If you have no audio, open Immerse Gaming Hive... and then check the output. By the way, if you use apps like Streamlabs... and you're running into issues, you will have to go to the Source Settings a select the device and Microphone instead of leaving it at Default. (Base on my experience.) This will allow your gameplay and your mic's audio to be recorded accordingly without the mic volume being much louder. I actually selected the Audeze Maxwell2 ANC for device, and the Chat-Audeze Maxwell2 ANC for the mic, and it doesn't affect the Hive app. The spatial audio is still working just fine (as seen in the video below).
Why the Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC?
The Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC provides an excellent baseline for evaluating Immerse Gaming HIVE 2.0. Its 90mm planar magnetic drivers reproduce audio with exceptional detail and very low distortion, making it easier to hear the subtle improvements introduced by HIVE's personalized spatial audio processing.
Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 90mm Planar Magnetic Drivers |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Aviation-grade Hybrid ANC (up to 35dB), Transparency Mode |
| Spatial Audio Support | Native head tracking support with Immerse Gaming HIVE 2.0 |
| Connectivity | Ultra-low latency wireless, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C wired, 3.5mm analog |
| Battery Life | Up to 40 hours (ANC Off), Up to 35 hours (ANC On), 1800mAh Lithium-polymer |
| Fast Charging | Full charge in approximately 2 hours; 20 minutes provides about 25% charge |
| Microphone | Detachable Hypercardioid Boom Mic with AI-assisted noise filtering |
| Amplification | Dual Balanced 1.4W Amplifiers |
| Compatibility | PC, Mac, PlayStation 5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Mobile Devices |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz–50kHz |
| Weight | Approximately 560g |
The headset supports 24-bit/96kHz high-resolution audio over both its ultra-low latency USB-C wireless connection and wired USB-C mode. Bluetooth users aren't left out either, with support for Auracast, LE Audio, LDAC, and AAC, making it just as comfortable handling music and movies as it does gaming.
Comfort and isolation also play an important role. The dual-chamber swivel earcups feature acoustic dampening to help reduce outside noise before the Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation even kicks in, while the magnetically attached ear cushions make removal and replacement refreshingly simple. No snaps with fears of hearing cracks, it's just a strong magnetic connection keeping the cushions attached.
At the heart of the Maxwell 2 are of course... Audeze's 90mm planar magnetic drivers (mentioned above), which use the company's Uniforce diaphragm. Unlike traditional dynamic drivers found in most consumer headphones, planar magnetic technology is known for delivering exceptionally detailed sound, lower distortion, tighter bass response, and improved clarity across the frequency range.
Driving those planar drivers is Audeze's patented Fluxor magnet array, which concentrates magnetic energy more efficiently than conventional magnet designs to help improve driver performance and responsiveness.
To further refine the listening experience, Audeze incorporates its SLAM tuning system, which uses carefully engineered acoustic channels to enhance bass while maintaining spatial detail. Working alongside it are the company's Fazor waveguides, which help guide sound waves more evenly as they leave the planar magnetic drivers, reducing unwanted interference and contributing to cleaner, more accurate high-resolution audio.
When you combine all of these technologies—the planar magnetic drivers, Uniforce diaphragm, Fluxor magnet array, SLAM tuning system, Fazor waveguides, Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation, and native head tracking support—you end up with a headset that's built to reveal the finer details in your games rather than simply making everything louder. Let's game!
Improved Positional Awareness?
Does the Immerse Gaming Hive 2.0... improve positional awareness? Absolutely, and with the Maxwell 2's sound quality and the native tracking... you can certainly dial in for greater scares, action, and adventure. I think it also helps keep some of the more... easily distracted gamers locked in too.
I spent a little time in the world of Resident Evil Requiem for this experience:
What stood out to me wasn't simply the obvious sounds. It was the little things happening around them.
During one of the initial scenes, I noticed something as subtle as Grace's supervisor taking a breath just before she entered his office to explain why she was running behind on a report. That may seem like a small detail—and it is—but the combination of subtle sounds add to the game world we're diving into. I give props to the technical audio professionals who knock it out of the park during game development, and... I want to appreciate that hard work by actually being able to hear those subtle taps, voice, bangs, booms, splashes, crashes and... everything else on the deepest level possible. That's why I love surround sound so much, it just takes it to another level, and spatial audio technology takes it even further. Apply that games like Resident Evil Requiem... and its on and poppin'!
Comfort level when it comes to these headphones is... fair. I don't get the clamp feeling I was concerned about from the earcups, and the ear cushions are soft. There is a but... because one thing that decreases my tolerance level is the weight. I can't expect the headphones to have all the tech under the hood, contain materials like metal, and still remain durable while being light as a feather... so there are trade-offs. After gaming I still have a short-lived headphone sensation of sorts, but... the road to that point is enjoyable.
Should You Buy?
If you game and want to enjoy an upgraded immersive audio experience, Immerse Gaming Hive 2.0 could be worth it for you. It is a service, so keep that in mind, but... it's digestible at $14.99/year. It auto-renews under the annual plan, but.. you can cancel at anytime. If you prefer a one-time payment, you can get the 5-year plan they have for $39.99 that doesn't auto-renew. If you play competitively, I highly recommend this software for sure, but I still think it's worth considering regardless—if you want that personalized spatial audio experience. My preferred option is the 5-year plan for half a decade... because it just makes more sense. Try before you buy via the 2-week trial. (PC Only.)
If you're interested in the Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC... they're available for $429 via the PlayStation version (or $449 for the Xbox version). You get more bang for your buck because of the versatile connectivity... giving you the ability to connect consoles, your PC, handhelds, and mobile devices with with the first party app. The quality is there, so if you're looking for a pair of new headphones... add these to your radar to amp up your experience with the Hive 2.0... and game on!
Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC In-Store Locations (Globally)
Audeze Product Guides and Downloads
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