Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC vs Beyerdynamic DT 700 Prox: 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.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC leads on 5 of 7 measures.
- Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC
- Beyerdynamic DT 700 Prox
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?
Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC (2026) against Beyerdynamic DT 700 Prox (2021). The Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds USB-C.
- Maxwell 2 ANC20265 yr newer
- DT 700 Prox2021
- ANC type
- Adaptive
- None
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
Platform
Everyday features
Specifications
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $430
- $300
- HearWiki score
- 88
- 76
- Released
- 2026
- 2021
- Availability
- Sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 90 mm planar magnetic
- 45 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- planar
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 90 mm
- 45 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 10 Hz - 50 kHz
- 5 Hz - 40 kHz
- Impedance
- -
- 48 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 115 dB/mW
- 100 dB/mW
- Sensitivity (dB/Vrms)
- -
- 114
- 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
- Yes
- No
- ANC type
- adaptive
- -
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- -
- Companion app
- Yes
- -
- Custom EQ
- Yes
- -
- Wear detection
- No
- -
- Controls
- both
- -
- Weight
- 560 g
- 350 g
- Water resistance
- -
- none
- Foldable
- -
- No
- Detachable cable
- -
- Yes
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
- Pad material
- -
- velour
- Connector
- -
- 6.35 mm
- Microphones
- 2
- -
- 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.
Beyerdynamic DT 700 Prox
The Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X is a closed-back, wired studio headphone designed for accurate monitoring and mixing, featuring a 45 mm dynamic driver and a 48-ohm impedance that makes it easy to drive from most gear. It delivers a neutral, bright-leaning sound with clear vocals and strong technical performance, but its bulky, non-foldable build and lack of isolation make it best suited for stationary home or studio use rather than travel or commuting. With detachable cables and a comfortable velour pad design, it targets audio professionals who prioritize sound fidelity over convenience features.
- Pro:Neutral, detailed sound with clear vocals and instruments
- Pro:Sturdy, modular build with comfortable velour pads
- Pro:Low 48-ohm impedance easy to drive from many sources
- Con:Treble can be sharp and harsh at times
- Con:Weak isolation and noticeable sound leakage
- Con:Bulky and non-foldable, poor portability
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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