Apple Airpods Max 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 7 measures.

Apple Airpods Max
Audeze Maxwell 2

HearWiki score

Sound

8.4

9.5

Noise cancelling

8.8

Battery

6.4

9.5

Calls

5.8

9.0

Value

4.8

7.5

Price (USD)

$510

$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?

New platform

Audeze Maxwell 2 (2026) against Apple Airpods Max (2020). The Audeze Maxwell 2 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.0, Top codec LC3 against AAC, LE Audio (LC3) and ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid.

Airpods Max2020
Maxwell 220266 yr newer

What differsAirpods MaxMaxwell 2

Bluetooth: 5.0; 5.3
Top codec: AAC; LC3
LE Audio (LC3): No; Yes
ANC type: Hybrid; Adaptive

Level on: Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Transparency mode, Companion app.

Specifications

Airpods MaxMaxwell 2

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $510; $330
HearWiki score: 73; 88
Released: 2020; 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: 48 Hz - 20 kHz; 10 Hz - 50 kHz
Bluetooth: 5.0; 5.3
Codecs: SBC, AAC; SBC, AAC, LC3, LC3plus, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Battery life: 20 h; 80 h
Battery life (ANC on): 20 h; 35 h
Full charge time: -; 120 min
Quick charge: 5 min → 1.5 h; -
Wireless charging: No; -
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: hybrid; adaptive
Transparency mode: Yes; Yes
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: -; Yes
Wear detection: -; No
Controls: both; buttons
Voice assistant: Siri; -
Weight: 386.2 g; 560 g
Case weight: 134.5 g; -
Water resistance: none; -
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Microphones: 9; 2
Call noise reduction: -; Yes
Call NR technology: -; AI ENC

Specification comparison of Apple Airpods Max vs Audeze Maxwell 2
Spec	Apple Airpods Max	Audeze Maxwell 2
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$510	$330
HearWiki score	73 / 100 Great	88 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2020	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	48 Hz - 20 kHz	10 Hz - 50 kHz
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.0	5.3
Codecs	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC, LC3, LC3plus, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Battery
Battery life	20 h	80 h
Battery life (ANC on)	20 h	35 h
Full charge time	-	120 min
Quick charge	5 min → 1.5 h	-
Wireless charging	No	-
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	hybrid	adaptive
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	-	Yes
Wear detection	-	No
Controls	both	buttons
Voice assistant	Siri	-
Design
Weight	386.2 g	560 g
Case weight	134.5 g	-
Water resistance	none	-
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Calls
Microphones	9	2
Call noise reduction	-	Yes
Call NR technology	-	AI ENC

What reviewers said

Apple Airpods Max

The Apple AirPods Max are premium over-ear wireless headphones featuring hybrid active noise cancellation, a 40mm dynamic driver, and up to 20 hours of playback with ANC enabled. They deliver polished sound and effortless pairing within the Apple ecosystem, though their 386-gram build and premium price tag may deter some buyers.

Pro:Excellent active noise cancellation
Pro:Seamless Apple ecosystem integration
Pro:Premium build and materials

Con:Heavy at 386 grams
Con:High price point
Con:No water resistance

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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