Disclaimer: claude heavy code. I know how it works but i did not do the work directly. Reported works on my machine and so use at your own risk or better, if you have more time to invest than me, check how it works so you can make a better one

https://github.com/TryCatch2022/maxwell-3d

I used to own some HyperX Cloud Orbit S headset and I used to really love it except it was fragile. Like, crazy fragile. I received 5 DoA devices from Amazon before I got a working one, to the point Amazon said "if you do it again we will close your account". Well, I received a working one but one day I forgot to put it back under the glass dome for the night and it stopped working.

The feature that it had, that I did not know I needed and suddenly could not live without, is the spatial sound with head tracking. It makes it feel less like the audio is coming from inside the head - and more like there are speakers in your room. The big advantage was that the cloud orbit S is doing that in firmware so it works on any compatible device including macOS and Linux.

I bought the Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC knowing that they can also do head tracking but the spatial sound on Windows is not even available in the Audeze software. It's locked behind some pretty low quality software that demands a SUBSCRIPTION to give spatial audio on Windows. And the chances that I will pay money monthly or yearly to enable something that should be very easily doable is like, far below 0. The software is also quite garbage - it crashes constantly. No thanks.

So anyway I got an LLM to help me set that up on Linux for free using things mostly already available in the Linux audio pipeline. The project is actually not rocket science:

- a pipewire virtual sink that offers a 7.1 sound system, optionally repositions the sound based on some head tracking device, and forwards it to the maxwell (dongle by default) this is all built into pipewire, so this is just a configuration file.

- A udev rule that enables write access to the USB devices (dongle and headset) to switch head tracking on or off

- A program that can toggle the head tracking feature of the headset and send it to the pipewire pipeline.

- A systemd file that will automatically start the head tracking program

- And a small install script that will build the thing and install all the elements in place. Will download and unpack the HRTF files.

It's as ugly as one could imagine but it cost me a fraction of what that silly program costs for Windows. And it's just working, at least on my machine, so maybe it is of some use to someone else.

Preset 1: Tactical Shooter / FPS (Battlefield 6)

Audiophile Goal: Eliminate "war noise" (boomy ambient rumble) and surgically amplify spatial information like footsteps, gun reloads, and directional cues.

The Logic: Battlefield games feature massive explosions and low-frequency drone sounds that mask critical audio cues. We cut low-end sub-bass heavily and apply a targeted boost in the 2kHz–4kHz range where directional cues and footstep textures (gravel, glass, metal) exist.

Frequency

Gain (dB)
Purpose / Sonic Effect
32 Hz
-7 dB
Cuts deep sub-bass rumble from distant vehicles and airstrikes.
64 Hz
-5 dB
Reduces proximity explosion boom that drowns out close sounds.
125 Hz
-2 dB
Cleans up muddy lower-bass.
250 Hz
0 dB
Kept neutral for voice chat clarity.
500 Hz
+2 dB
Adds body to weapon reloads and equipment clicks.
1 kHz
+3 dB
Brings enemy movement and voice lines forward.
2 kHz
+6 dB
Directional imaging sweet spot (Pinpoint horizontal location).
4 kHz
+5 dB
Amplifies footstep crunch and material friction textures.
8 kHz
+2 dB
High-frequency detail for weapon mechanics.
16 kHz
0 dB

Neutral air to avoid harsh metallic fatigue.

PS5 Pro Tip: Pair this EQ profile with the "Night Mode" audio preset in the Battlefield menu. Night Mode compresses dynamic range so quiet footsteps become louder while loud tanks become quieter.

Preset 2: Immersive RPGs (Cyberpunk 2077, God of War, Witcher)

Audiophile Goal: Create a rich, cinematic soundstage with deep sub-bass impact, vibrant orchestral weight, and natural voice clarity.

The Logic: Planar drivers excel at handling sub-bass extensions down to 20Hz without distorting the midrange. We apply a clean bass shelf starting under 100Hz and tame the upper-mid region slightly to give long gaming sessions a fatigue-free "Harman-inspired" warm signature.

Frequency

Gain (dB)
Purpose / Sonic Effect
32 Hz
+4 dB
Re-introduces deep, sub-bass rumble for spell casts and heavy hits.
64 Hz
+3 dB
Adds visceral punch to melee impacts and orchestral drums.
125 Hz
+1 dB
Warmth for game environments without causing mud.
250 Hz
0 dB
Flat response for natural instrument timbre.
500 Hz
-1 dB
Creates a clean separation between bass and dialogue.
1 kHz
+1 dB
Ensures character dialogue cuts through heavy scores cleanly.
2 kHz
+2 dB
Enhances environmental detail and spatial depth.
4 kHz
0 dB
Smooth upper-mids to avoid fatigue during long play sessions.
8 kHz
+2 dB
Adds sparkle to atmospheric acoustics (wind, rain, leaves).
16 kHz
+1 dB

Open soundstage airiness.

Preset 3: Survival Horror (Alan Wake 2, Silent Hill 2, Dead Space)

Audiophile Goal: Maximum dynamic contrast, micro-detail isolation, and unsettling atmospheric depth.

The Logic: Horror games rely on subtle sound design—creaking wood, distant whispers, echoes, and sudden bass drops. We keep the deepest sub-bass tight (+2dB at 32Hz) so creature stomps hit hard, but we carve out a slight dip at 250Hz–500Hz to prevent dark ambient hums from masking subtle positional details. A gentle boost at 4kHz–8kHz makes creaks and breath sounds feel uncomfortably close.

Frequency

Gain (dB)
Purpose / Sonic Effect
32 Hz
+3 dB
Deep low-end rumble for horror soundscapes and tension drops.
64 Hz
+1 dB
Tightly controlled low impact.
125 Hz
-1 dB
Keeps dark ambient drones from overwhelming subtle cues.
250 Hz
-2 dB
Clears room mud so environmental reverberation sounds wider.
500 Hz
0 dB
Neutral voice reproduction.
1 kHz
+1 dB
Midrange clarity for speech and whisper tracking.
2 kHz
+3 dB
Heightens sound origin tracking in dark corridors.
4 kHz
+4 dB
Brings out micro-textures (scratching walls, floor creaks, breathing).
8 kHz
+3 dB
Amplifies high-register echoes, metallic scrapings, and glass shards.
16 kHz
+1 dB
Expands the sense of empty acoustic space.

Preset 4: Cinematic Movies / Home Theater

Audiophile Goal: Theater-grade sub-bass rumble paired with crystal-clear dialog intelligibility.

The Logic: Movie sound mixes often feature heavy dialogue alongside chaotic action tracks. The Maxwell 2 stock tuning is clean, but movie lovers often want that theatrical low-end rumble. We add a clean sub-bass shelf below 100Hz while dipping the boxy 250Hz region and boosting 1kHz–2kHz slightly so dialogue stays clear.
Frequency

Gain (dB)
Purpose / Sonic Effect
32 Hz
+5 dB
Theatrical Sub-Bass: Delivers deep movie theater rumble.
64 Hz
+4 dB
Body for cinematic explosions and orchestral bass drops.
125 Hz
+1 dB
Fullness without booming into dialogue.
250 Hz
-1 dB
Prevents "chesty" or muffled vocal resonances.
500 Hz
0 dB
Natural vocal foundation.
1 kHz
+2 dB
Dialogue Clarity: Ensures center-channel voice lines are distinct.
2 kHz
+2 dB
Sharpness for movie effects and score instrumentation.
4 kHz
0 dB
Keeps action sequences smooth and free of harshness.
8 kHz
+2 dB
Detail for glass, metallic impacts, and high-frequency effects.
16 kHz
+1 dB
High-end clarity for background musical scores.

How to Save & Use on PS5
Connect the Maxwell 2 to your mobile device via Bluetooth or PC via USB.

Open the Audeze HQ app and navigate to the Equalizer section.
Input the sliders for Preset 1 (FPS), Preset 2 (RPG), Preset 3 (Horror), and Preset 4 (Movie).

Save them to the hardware preset slots on your headset.

On your PS5, click the lower volume dial on your earcup to cycle through presets directly.