Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC vs Grado Rs1x: 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

Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC

88Outstanding

$430

Full review data

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 Maxwell 2 ANC
Grado Rs1x

HearWiki score

Sound

9.3

8.6

Noise cancelling

8.5

Battery

8.0

Calls

9.0

Value

6.5

7.2

Price (USD)

$430

$750

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 Grado Rs1x (2022). The Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds USB-C.

Maxwell 2 ANC20264 yr newer
Rs1x2022

What differsMaxwell 2 ANCRs1x

ANC type: Adaptive; None
USB-C: Yes; No

Specifications

Maxwell 2 ANCRs1x

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $430; $750
HearWiki score: 88; 72
Released: 2026; 2022
Availability: Sold new; Discontinued
Driver: 90 mm planar magnetic; 50 mm dynamic
Driver type: planar; dynamic
Driver size: 90 mm; 50 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 10 Hz - 50 kHz; 12 Hz - 30 kHz
Impedance: -; 38 Ω
Sensitivity: 115 dB/mW; 99.8 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; -
Transparency mode: Yes; -
Companion app: Yes; -
Custom EQ: Yes; -
Wear detection: No; -
Controls: both; buttons
Weight: 560 g; 320 g
USB-C: Yes; No
Connector: -; 3.5 mm
Microphones: 2; -
Call noise reduction: Yes; -
Call NR technology: AI ENC; -

Specification comparison of Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC vs Grado Rs1x
Spec	Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC	Grado Rs1x
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$430	$750
HearWiki score	88 / 100 Outstanding	72 / 100 Great
Released	2026	2022
Audio
Driver	90 mm planar magnetic	50 mm dynamic
Driver type	planar	dynamic
Driver size	90 mm	50 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	10 Hz - 50 kHz	12 Hz - 30 kHz
Impedance	-	38 Ω
Sensitivity	115 dB/mW	99.8 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	Yes	No
ANC type	adaptive	-
Transparency mode	Yes	-
Companion app	Yes	-
Custom EQ	Yes	-
Wear detection	No	-
Controls	both	buttons
Design
Weight	560 g	320 g
USB-C	Yes	No
Connector	-	3.5 mm
Calls
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.

Grado Rs1x

The Grado RS1x is an open-back, wired over-ear headphone delivering a transparent, dynamic, and highly musical sound with a spacious presentation. It is easy to drive thanks to its 38-ohm impedance and 99.8 dB sensitivity, making it a strong choice for critical listening at home. However, its open-back nature leaks sound significantly, and comfort may be an issue during extended use.

Pro:Transparent and immersive sound quality
Pro:Easy to drive with a wide range of amplifiers
Pro:Dynamic and punchy audio performance

Con:Significant sound leakage due to open-back design
Con:Comfort can be limited over long listening sessions
Con:Build quality feels modest for the price

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

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