AKG K371 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.

Over-Ear

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Audeze Maxwell 2 leads on 4 of 6 measures.

AKG K371
Audeze Maxwell 2

HearWiki score

Sound

8.3

9.5

Battery

9.5

Calls

9.0

Value

7.9

7.5

Price (USD)

$200

$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 K371 (2020). The Audeze Maxwell 2 edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None.

K3712020
Maxwell 220266 yr newer

What differsK371Maxwell 2

ANC type: None; Adaptive

Specifications

K371Maxwell 2

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $200; $330
HearWiki score: 80; 88
Released: 2020; 2026
Availability: Still sold new; 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: 5 Hz - 40 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: 255 g; 560 g
Foldable: Yes; -
Detachable cable: Yes; -
USB-C: -; Yes
Connector: XLR; -
Microphones: -; 2
Call noise reduction: -; Yes
Call NR technology: -; AI ENC

Specification comparison of AKG K371 vs Audeze Maxwell 2
Spec	AKG K371	Audeze Maxwell 2
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$200	$330
HearWiki score	80 / 100 Great	88 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2020	2026
Audio
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	5 Hz - 40 kHz	10 Hz - 50 kHz
Impedance	32 Ω	-
Sensitivity	99 dB/mW	-
Sensitivity (dB/Vrms)	114	-
Wireless
Bluetooth	-	5.3
Codecs	-	SBC, AAC, LC3, LC3plus, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	-	Yes
Battery
Battery life	-	80 h
Battery life (ANC on)	-	35 h
Full charge time	-	120 min
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	Yes
ANC type	-	adaptive
Transparency mode	-	Yes
Companion app	-	Yes
Custom EQ	-	Yes
Wear detection	-	No
Controls	-	buttons
Design
Weight	255 g	560 g
Foldable	Yes	-
Detachable cable	Yes	-
USB-C	-	Yes
Connector	XLR	-
Calls
Microphones	-	2
Call noise reduction	-	Yes
Call NR technology	-	AI ENC

What reviewers said

AKG K371

The AKG K371 is a wired, closed-back over-ear headphone delivering a neutral and well-balanced sound profile that suits music, movies, and studio monitoring. Its 50 mm dynamic drivers, 32-ohm impedance, and lightweight, foldable build make it a practical choice for home or portable use. With a bass-forward yet accurate tuning and solid construction, it offers strong performance and value at its price point.

Pro:Accurate, well-balanced sound signature
Pro:Comfortable for long listening sessions
Pro:Lightweight and foldable for portability

Con:No active noise cancellation
Con:Plastic build may not feel premium
Con:Bass-forward tuning may not suit purists

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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