Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC vs STAX SR-404: 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
STAX SR-404

HearWiki score

Sound

9.3

7.2

Noise cancelling

8.5

Battery

8.0

Calls

9.0

Value

6.5

Price (USD)

$430

$320

Specifications

Maxwell 2 ANCSR-404

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $430; $320
HearWiki score: 88; 55
Released: 2026; 1999
Availability: Sold new; Discontinued
Driver: 90 mm planar magnetic; electrostatic
Driver type: planar; electrostatic
Driver size: 90 mm; -
Drivers per side: 1; -
Frequency response: 10 Hz - 50 kHz; 7 Hz - 41 kHz
Sound signature: -; neutral
Impedance: -; 145000 Ω
Sensitivity: 115 dB/mW; 100 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; -
ANC type: adaptive; -
Transparency mode: Yes; -
Companion app: Yes; -
Custom EQ: Yes; -
Wear detection: No; -
Controls: both; -
Weight: 560 g; 295 g
USB-C: Yes; -
Microphones: 2; -
Call noise reduction: Yes; -
Call NR technology: AI ENC; -

Specification comparison of Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC vs STAX SR-404
Spec	Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC	STAX SR-404
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$430	$320
HearWiki score	88 / 100 Outstanding	55 / 100 Average
Released	2026	1999
Audio
Driver	90 mm planar magnetic	electrostatic
Driver type	planar	electrostatic
Driver size	90 mm	-
Drivers per side	1	-
Frequency response	10 Hz - 50 kHz	7 Hz - 41 kHz
Sound signature	-	neutral
Impedance	-	145000 Ω
Sensitivity	115 dB/mW	100 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	-
ANC type	adaptive	-
Transparency mode	Yes	-
Companion app	Yes	-
Custom EQ	Yes	-
Wear detection	No	-
Controls	both	-
Design
Weight	560 g	295 g
USB-C	Yes	-
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.

STAX SR-404

The STAX SR-404 is a wired electrostatic over-ear headphone with an exceptionally transparent and neutral sound signature, delivering remarkable detail and speed across a wide frequency range. It offers a very high impedance of 145,000 ohms, requiring a dedicated electrostatic amplifier to perform, and is lightweight at 295 grams for comfortable listening sessions. This model is a solid entry point into high-end electrostatic audio, prioritizing precision and clarity over warmth or bass impact.

Pro:Exceptional clarity and detail retrieval
Pro:Neutral, accurate sound signature
Pro:Very lightweight for an over-ear design

Con:Requires a specialized electrostatic amplifier
Con:Very high impedance limits portability
Con:Lacks deep bass punch compared to dynamic headphones

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

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