AKG K701 vs Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC 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 ANC - Outstanding overall at around $429.

Over-Ear

Score breakdown

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

Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC leads on 7 of 7 measures.

AKG K701
Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC

HearWiki score

Sound

8.0

9.3

Noise cancelling

8.5

Battery

8.0

Calls

9.0

Value

4.0

6.5

Price (USD)

$500

$430

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 ANC (2026) against AKG K701 (2006). The Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds USB-C.

K7012006
Maxwell 2 ANC202620 yr newer

What differsK701Maxwell 2 ANC

ANC type: None; Adaptive
USB-C: No; Yes

Specifications

K701Maxwell 2 ANC

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $500; $430
HearWiki score: 69; 88
Released: 2006; 2026
Availability: Still sold new; Sold new
Driver: 40 mm dynamic; 90 mm planar magnetic
Driver type: dynamic; planar
Driver size: 40 mm; 90 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 10 Hz - 39.8 kHz; 10 Hz - 50 kHz
Sound signature: neutral; -
Impedance: 62 Ω; -
Sensitivity: 105 dB/mW; 115 dB/mW
Bluetooth: -; 5.3
Codecs: -; SBC, AAC, LC3, LC3plus, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: -; Yes
Battery life: -; 40 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: -; both
Weight: 235 g; 560 g
Detachable cable: Yes; -
USB-C: No; Yes
Microphones: -; 2
Call noise reduction: -; Yes
Call NR technology: -; AI ENC

Specification comparison of AKG K701 vs Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC
Spec	AKG K701	Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$500	$430
HearWiki score	69 / 100 Good	88 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2006	2026
Audio
Driver	40 mm dynamic	90 mm planar magnetic
Driver type	dynamic	planar
Driver size	40 mm	90 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	10 Hz - 39.8 kHz	10 Hz - 50 kHz
Sound signature	neutral	-
Impedance	62 Ω	-
Sensitivity	105 dB/mW	115 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	-	5.3
Codecs	-	SBC, AAC, LC3, LC3plus, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	-	Yes
Battery
Battery life	-	40 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	-	both
Design
Weight	235 g	560 g
Detachable cable	Yes	-
USB-C	No	Yes
Calls
Microphones	-	2
Call noise reduction	-	Yes
Call NR technology	-	AI ENC

What reviewers said

AKG K701

The AKG K701 is an open-back, over-ear headphone designed for critical listening with a spacious and neutral sound signature. It offers high comfort and detailed audio reproduction, making it a solid choice for serious listeners, though its open design limits use in noisy environments and its price is a notable consideration. The wired design and detachable cable add practical flexibility for stationary setups.

Pro:Spacious, well-balanced soundstage
Pro:Very comfortable for long sessions
Pro:Detailed and neutral audio reproduction

Con:Open design leaks sound and lets noise in
Con:Not ideal for portable or noisy use
Con:Premium price point

Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC

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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