Over-Ear
AKG K 550
57Average
$250
Full review dataAKG K 550 vs Audeze Maxwell 2: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Audeze Maxwell 2 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Audeze Maxwell 2 - Outstanding overall at around $329.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Audeze Maxwell 2 leads on 5 of 6 measures.
- AKG K 550
- Audeze Maxwell 2
HearWiki score
57
88
Sound
7.5
9.5
Battery
-
9.5
Calls
-
9.0
Value
-
7.5
Price (USD)
$250
$330
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
Half a step newer
Audeze Maxwell 2 (2026) against AKG K 550 (2018). The Audeze Maxwell 2 edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds USB-C.
- K 5502018
- Maxwell 220268 yr newer
What differsK 550Maxwell 2
- ANC type
- None
- Adaptive
- USB-C
- No
- Yes
Platform
Everyday features
Specifications
K 550Maxwell 2
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $250
- $330
- HearWiki score
- 57
- 88
- Released
- 2018
- 2026
- Availability
- Discontinued
- Sold new
- Driver
- 50 mm dynamic
- 90 mm planar magnetic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- planar
- Driver size
- 50 mm
- 90 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 12 Hz - 28 kHz
- 10 Hz - 50 kHz
- Impedance
- 32 Ω
- -
- Sensitivity
- 99 dB/mW
- -
- Sensitivity (dB/Vrms)
- 114
- -
- Bluetooth
- -
- 5.3
- Codecs
- -
- SBC, AAC, LC3, LC3plus, LDAC
- Multipoint pairing
- -
- Yes
- Battery life
- -
- 80 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- -
- 35 h
- Full charge time
- -
- 120 min
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- Yes
- ANC type
- -
- adaptive
- Transparency mode
- -
- Yes
- Companion app
- -
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- -
- Yes
- Wear detection
- -
- No
- Controls
- -
- buttons
- Weight
- 305 g
- 560 g
- Foldable
- Yes
- -
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- -
- USB-C
- No
- Yes
- Connector
- 6.35 mm
- -
- Microphones
- -
- 2
- Call noise reduction
- -
- Yes
- Call NR technology
- -
- AI ENC
What reviewers said
AKG K 550
The AKG K 550 is a wired, closed-back over-ear headphone that delivers a notably wide and detailed soundstage for its type, with clear vocals and solid low-end punch. Its sturdy build and plush fit make it comfortable for long home listening sessions, though its performance can be sensitive to how well it seals around the ears. Overall, it offers strong audio fidelity for the price, but some listeners may find its treble character and fit-dependent bass a bit inconsistent.
- Pro:Spacious and detailed soundstage for a closed-back design
- Pro:Comfortable over-ear fit with solid, robust construction
- Pro:Clear vocal reproduction and satisfying bass depth
- Con:Sound quality can suffer if the ear seal is not perfect
- Con:Treble can occasionally sound slightly uneven
- Con:Design features feel less refined than its audio performance
Audeze Maxwell 2
No summary yet - we haven't aggregated enough reviews.
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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