Over-Ear
Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC
88Outstanding
$430
Full review dataAudeze Maxwell 2 ANC vs STAX SR-X5: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC vs STAX SR-X5, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
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
- STAX SR-X5
HearWiki score
88
-
Sound
9.3
-
Noise cancelling
8.5
-
Battery
8.0
-
Calls
9.0
-
Value
6.5
-
Price (USD)
$430
$500
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 STAX SR-X5 (1976). The Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None.
- Maxwell 2 ANC202650 yr newer
- SR-X51976
What differsMaxwell 2 ANCSR-X5
- ANC type
- Adaptive
- None
Platform
Specifications
Maxwell 2 ANCSR-X5
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $430
- $500
- HearWiki score
- 88
- Not scored
- Released
- 2026
- 1976
- 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
- -
- Sensitivity
- 115 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
- -
- Weight
- 560 g
- 390 g
- USB-C
- Yes
- -
- Model code
- -
- SR-5
- 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-X5
The STAX SR-X5 is a classic electrostatic over-ear headphone from the late 1970s, offering a detailed and airy sound signature typical of the technology. It is a wired-only model that requires a dedicated electrostatic amplifier or adaptor to operate, making it a niche choice for audiophiles. Weighing 390 grams, it provides a lightweight listening experience but lacks modern conveniences like noise cancellation or wireless connectivity.
- Pro:Detailed and transparent electrostatic sound
- Pro:Lightweight design at 390g
- Pro:Classic build with historical appeal
- Con:Requires external electrostatic amplifier or adaptor
- Con:No noise cancellation or wireless features
- Con:Older design may lack modern comfort refinements
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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