Over-Ear
Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC
88Outstanding
$430
Full review dataAudeze Maxwell 2 ANC vs Meze 99 Classics: 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
Meze 99 Classics
64Good
$350
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 5 of 7 measures.
- Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC
- Meze 99 Classics
HearWiki score
88
64
Sound
9.3
7.3
Noise cancelling
8.5
-
Battery
8.0
-
Calls
9.0
-
Value
6.5
7.2
Price (USD)
$430
$350
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?
New platform
Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC (2026) against Meze 99 Classics (2015). The Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC is the newer platform here: Top codec LC3 against SBC, LE Audio (LC3) and ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds Multipoint pairing and USB-C.
- Maxwell 2 ANC202611 yr newer
- 99 Classics2015
What differsMaxwell 2 ANC99 Classics
- Top codec
- LC3
- SBC
- LE Audio (LC3)
- Yes
- No
- ANC type
- Adaptive
- None
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- No
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
Platform
Everyday features
Specifications
Maxwell 2 ANC99 Classics
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $430
- $350
- HearWiki score
- 88
- 64
- Released
- 2026
- 2015
- Availability
- Sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 90 mm planar magnetic
- 40 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- planar
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 90 mm
- 40 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 10 Hz - 50 kHz
- 15 Hz - 25 kHz
- Impedance
- -
- 32 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 115 dB/mW
- 103 dB/mW
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- -
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC, LC3, LC3plus, LDAC
- SBC
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- No
- Battery life
- 40 h
- -
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 35 h
- -
- Full charge time
- 120 min
- -
- Wireless charging
- -
- No
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- No
- ANC type
- adaptive
- -
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- -
- Companion app
- Yes
- -
- Custom EQ
- Yes
- -
- Wear detection
- No
- -
- Controls
- both
- buttons
- Voice assistant
- -
- No
- Weight
- 560 g
- 260 g
- Water resistance
- -
- none
- Detachable cable
- -
- Yes
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
- Connector
- -
- 3.5 mm
- Balanced connection
- -
- Yes
- Microphones
- 2
- 1
- 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.
Meze 99 Classics
The Meze 99 Classics are a wired, closed-back over-ear headphone that blends a striking walnut and metal design with a warm, engaging sound signature. Their 32-ohm impedance makes them easy to drive from most devices, while the detachable cable and included mic-equipped option add everyday practicality. For listeners seeking a stylish, comfortable pair with a fun, bass-forward character rather than analytical neutrality, these deliver strong value.
- Pro:Beautiful craftsmanship with walnut and metal build
- Pro:Warm, lively sound with punchy bass and crisp highs
- Pro:Comfortable fit for extended listening sessions
- Con:Mid-bass can become excessive for some tastes
- Con:Limited feature set given the price, lacking Bluetooth and ANC
- Con:Bulky shape may not suit all users
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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