AKG K702 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 6 of 6 measures.

AKG K702
Audeze Maxwell 2

HearWiki score

Sound

8.1

9.5

Battery

9.5

Calls

9.0

Value

5.0

7.5

Price (USD)

$430

$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 K702 (2010). The Audeze Maxwell 2 edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds USB-C.

K7022010
Maxwell 2202616 yr newer

What differsK702Maxwell 2

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

Specifications

K702Maxwell 2

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $430; $330
HearWiki score: 70; 88
Released: 2010; 2026
Availability: Still sold new; Sold new
Driver: 45 mm dynamic; 90 mm planar magnetic
Driver type: dynamic; planar
Driver size: 45 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; -
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: 235 g; 560 g
Foldable: No; -
Detachable cable: Yes; -
USB-C: No; Yes
Pad material: velour; -
Connector: 3.5 mm; -
Model code: 2458X00190; -
Microphones: -; 2
Call noise reduction: -; Yes
Call NR technology: -; AI ENC

Specification comparison of AKG K702 vs Audeze Maxwell 2
Spec	AKG K702	Audeze Maxwell 2
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$430	$330
HearWiki score	70 / 100 Good	88 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2010	2026
Audio
Driver	45 mm dynamic	90 mm planar magnetic
Driver type	dynamic	planar
Driver size	45 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	-
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	235 g	560 g
Foldable	No	-
Detachable cable	Yes	-
USB-C	No	Yes
Pad material	velour	-
Connector	3.5 mm	-
Model code	2458X00190	-
Calls
Microphones	-	2
Call noise reduction	-	Yes
Call NR technology	-	AI ENC

What reviewers said

AKG K702

The AKG K702 is a wired, open-back reference headphone designed for critical listening, mixing, and mastering in quiet environments. It delivers a neutral, bright-leaning sound with a wide, detailed soundstage and excellent imaging, but it offers no noise isolation and leaks sound, making it unsuitable for travel or noisy settings.

Pro:Accurate, neutral tuning with a wide soundstage
Pro:Very comfortable for long listening sessions
Pro:Detachable cable and lightweight build

Con:No noise isolation; leaks sound significantly
Con:Bass response is reduced compared to consumer headphones
Con:Requires a quiet environment to shine

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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