Over-Ear
Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC
88Outstanding
$430
Full review dataAudeze Maxwell 2 ANC vs Audio-Technica ATH-AL5NC: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC vs Audio-Technica ATH-AL5NC, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Over-Ear
Audio-Technica ATH-AL5NC
Not yet scored
$280
Full review dataScore 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 Maxwell 2 ANC
- Audio-Technica ATH-AL5NC
HearWiki score
88
-
Sound
9.3
-
Noise cancelling
8.5
-
Battery
8.0
-
Calls
9.0
-
Value
6.5
-
Price (USD)
$430
$280
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
The Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC edges ahead on platform, but only just: LE Audio (LC3).
- Maxwell 2 ANC2026
- ATH-AL5NCYear unknown
What differsMaxwell 2 ANCATH-AL5NC
- LE Audio (LC3)
- Yes
- No
Platform
Level on: Bluetooth, Top codec, Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Custom EQ, Companion app.
Specifications
Maxwell 2 ANCATH-AL5NC
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $430
- $280
- HearWiki score
- 88
- Not scored
- Released
- 2026
- -
- Availability
- Sold new
- Availability unknown
- Driver
- 90 mm planar magnetic
- 53 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- planar
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 90 mm
- 53 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 10 Hz - 50 kHz
- 20 Hz - 40 kHz
- Impedance
- -
- 52 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 115 dB/mW
- 103 dB/mW
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 5.3
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC, LC3, LC3plus, LDAC
- SBC, AAC, LDAC
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- Yes
- Wireless range
- -
- 10 m
- Battery life
- 40 h
- 75 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 35 h
- 50 h
- Full charge time
- 120 min
- 210 min
- Quick charge
- -
- 15 min → 8 h
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- Yes
- ANC type
- adaptive
- -
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- -
- Companion app
- Yes
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- Yes
- Yes
- Wear detection
- No
- -
- Controls
- both
- both
- Weight
- 560 g
- 240 g
- Foldable
- -
- Yes
- Detachable cable
- -
- Yes
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Connector
- -
- 3.5 mm
- Microphones
- 2
- 1
- Microphone type
- -
- MEMS
- Mic sensitivity
- -
- -38 dBV
- Call noise reduction
- Yes
- -
- Call NR technology
- AI ENC
- -
What reviewers said
Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC
No summary yet - we haven't aggregated enough reviews.
Audio-Technica ATH-AL5NC
The ATH-AL5NC blends the airy sound of an open-back design with the convenience of wireless listening, powered by large 53 mm drivers. It offers exceptional battery life, adaptable noise cancellation, and support for high-resolution LDAC streaming, making it a versatile option for both music and media. The included low-latency mode further enhances its appeal for gaming and video consumption. With multipoint connectivity and a foldable build, it's designed for everyday flexibility.
- Pro:Excellent battery life, especially with ANC off
- Pro:Supports high-quality LDAC, AAC, and SBC codecs
- Pro:Large 53 mm drivers for a spacious soundstage
- Con:Single microphone may limit call clarity in noisy settings
- Con:52-ohm impedance might require more power from some devices
- Con:Open-back design may leak sound and let in ambient noise
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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