Over-Ear
APOS Caspian
64Good
$500
Full review dataAPOS Caspian 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
Audeze Maxwell 2
88Outstanding
$330
Full review dataScore 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.
- APOS Caspian
- Audeze Maxwell 2
HearWiki score
64
88
Sound
7.8
9.5
Battery
-
9.5
Calls
-
9.0
Value
-
7.5
Price (USD)
$500
$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?
Same generation
The Audeze Maxwell 2 is 5 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. The platform is level; the newer hardware shows up in convenience features instead - the Audeze Maxwell 2 adds USB-C. For 5 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- Caspian2021
- Maxwell 220265 yr newer
What differsCaspianMaxwell 2
- USB-C
- No
- Yes
Everyday features
Specifications
CaspianMaxwell 2
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $500
- $330
- HearWiki score
- 64
- 88
- Released
- 2021
- 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
- 5 Hz - 45 kHz
- 10 Hz - 50 kHz
- Impedance
- 33 Ω
- -
- Sensitivity
- 115 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
- -
- Yes
- ANC type
- -
- adaptive
- Transparency mode
- -
- Yes
- Companion app
- -
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- -
- Yes
- Wear detection
- -
- No
- Controls
- -
- buttons
- Weight
- 378 g
- 560 g
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- -
- USB-C
- No
- Yes
- Pad material
- leather
- -
- Connector
- 6.35 mm
- -
- Microphones
- -
- 2
- Call noise reduction
- -
- Yes
- Call NR technology
- -
- AI ENC
What reviewers said
APOS Caspian
The APOS Caspian is a premium open-back over-ear headphone with a lively, bass-forward signature that prioritizes enjoyment over neutrality. Its 50mm dynamic driver and high sensitivity make it easy to drive from a variety of sources, while the comfortable build and detachable cable support long listening sessions. The tuning delivers strong low-end impact and a non-fatiguing character, though it comes with some compromises in vocal presence and treble sparkle.
- Pro:Robust and premium build quality
- Pro:Punchy, well-defined bass response
- Pro:High sensitivity makes it easy to drive
- Con:Vocals can sound recessed
- Con:Limited treble extension
- Con:Tuning is far from neutral
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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