Audeze EL-8 Open Back 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 6 of 7 measures.

Audeze EL-8 Open Back
Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC

HearWiki score

Sound

6.9

9.3

Noise cancelling

8.5

Battery

8.0

Calls

9.0

Value

6.5

Price (USD)

$350

$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 Audeze EL-8 Open Back (2015). The Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None.

EL-8 Open Back2015
Maxwell 2 ANC202611 yr newer

What differsEL-8 Open BackMaxwell 2 ANC

ANC type: None; Adaptive

Specifications

EL-8 Open BackMaxwell 2 ANC

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $350; $430
HearWiki score: 50; 88
Released: 2015; 2026
Availability: Discontinued; Sold new
Driver: 100 mm planar magnetic; 90 mm planar magnetic
Driver type: planar; planar
Driver size: 100 mm; 90 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 10 Hz - 50 kHz; 10 Hz - 50 kHz
Impedance: 30 Ω; -
Sensitivity: 102 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: 520 g; 560 g
Foldable: Yes; -
USB-C: -; Yes
Model code: 200-E8-1211-00; -
Microphones: -; 2
Call noise reduction: -; Yes
Call NR technology: -; AI ENC

Specification comparison of Audeze EL-8 Open Back vs Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC
Spec	Audeze EL-8 Open Back	Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$350	$430
HearWiki score	50 / 100 Weak	88 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2015	2026
Audio
Driver	100 mm planar magnetic	90 mm planar magnetic
Driver type	planar	planar
Driver size	100 mm	90 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	10 Hz - 50 kHz	10 Hz - 50 kHz
Impedance	30 Ω	-
Sensitivity	102 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	520 g	560 g
Foldable	Yes	-
USB-C	-	Yes
Model code	200-E8-1211-00	-
Calls
Microphones	-	2
Call noise reduction	-	Yes
Call NR technology	-	AI ENC

What reviewers said

Audeze EL-8 Open Back

The Audeze EL-8 Open Back is a premium planar magnetic headphone with large 100mm drivers, delivering a rich, spacious sound with deep bass and clear highs. Its open-back design and robust build make it a solid choice for genres like rock and hip-hop, though its weight and price may not suit everyone. With low impedance and high sensitivity, it pairs well with a variety of sources.

Pro:Excellent bass response and clarity
Pro:Premium build quality and materials
Pro:Spacious, open soundstage

Con:Heavy at 520g, may cause fatigue
Con:Open-back design leaks sound
Con:Not ideal for classical music

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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