Skip to content
HearWiki

Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC vs Dan Clark Audio Aeon Closed X: 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.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC leads on 7 of 7 measures.

  • Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC
  • Dan Clark Audio Aeon Closed X
HearWiki score
88
65
Sound
9.3
7.8
Noise cancelling
8.5
-
Battery
8.0
-
Calls
9.0
-
Value
6.5
-
Price (USD)
$430
$680

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 Dan Clark Audio Aeon Closed X (2020). The Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds USB-C, Transparency mode, Custom EQ and Companion app.

  • Maxwell 2 ANC20266 yr newer
  • Aeon Closed X2020
What differsMaxwell 2 ANCAeon Closed X

Platform

ANC type
Adaptive
None

Everyday features

USB-C
Yes
No
Transparency mode
Yes
No
Custom EQ
Yes
No
Companion app
Yes
No

Specifications

Maxwell 2 ANCAeon Closed X
Type
Over-Ear
Over-Ear
Price (USD)
$430
$680
HearWiki score
88
65
Released
2026
2020
Availability
Sold new
Discontinued
Driver
90 mm planar magnetic
62 mm planar magnetic
Driver type
planar
planar
Driver size
90 mm
62 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
10 Hz - 50 kHz
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance
-
14 Ω
Sensitivity
115 dB/mW
91 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
Yes
No
ANC type
adaptive
none
Transparency mode
Yes
No
Companion app
Yes
No
Custom EQ
Yes
No
Wear detection
No
No
Controls
both
none
Weight
560 g
342 g
Foldable
-
No
Detachable cable
-
Yes
USB-C
Yes
No
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.

Dan Clark Audio Aeon Closed X

The Dan Clark Audio Aeon Closed X is a wired, closed-back planar magnetic headphone that delivers a neutral-leaning sound with clear mids, punchy bass, and deep extension. It stands out for its light weight and spacious soundstage for a closed design, though it can sound sharp in the treble without its damping inserts and benefits from a capable amplifier for best performance.

  • Pro:Lightweight for a planar magnetic design
  • Pro:Neutral, detailed sound with clear mids and punchy bass
  • Pro:Unusually spacious soundstage for closed-back headphones
  • Con:Treble can be sharp without included damping inserts
  • Con:Damping inserts reduce dynamics when used
  • Con:Benefits from ample amplifier current despite low impedance

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

Compare something else

Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.