Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC vs XK Audio X1266: which should you buy?

Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC vs XK Audio X1266, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.

Over-Ear

Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC

88Outstanding

$430

Full review data

Over-Ear

XK Audio X1266

Not yet scored

$700

Full review data

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
XK Audio X1266

HearWiki score

Sound

9.3

Noise cancelling

8.5

Battery

8.0

Calls

9.0

Value

6.5

Price (USD)

$430

$700

Specifications

Maxwell 2 ANCX1266

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $430; $700
HearWiki score: 88; Not scored
Released: 2026; 2024
Availability: Sold new; Discontinued
Driver: 90 mm planar magnetic; 2× 70 mm dynamic
Driver type: planar; dynamic
Driver size: 90 mm; 70 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 2
Frequency response: 10 Hz - 50 kHz; -
Impedance: -; 280 Ω
Sensitivity: 115 dB/mW; 97 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; 400 g
USB-C: Yes; -
Connector: -; 3.5 mm
Microphones: 2; -
Call noise reduction: Yes; -
Call NR technology: AI ENC; -

Specification comparison of Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC vs XK Audio X1266
Spec	Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC	XK Audio X1266
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$430	$700
HearWiki score	88 / 100 Outstanding	Not scored
Released	2026	2024
Audio
Driver	90 mm planar magnetic	2× 70 mm dynamic
Driver type	planar	dynamic
Driver size	90 mm	70 mm
Drivers per side	1	2
Frequency response	10 Hz - 50 kHz	-
Impedance	-	280 Ω
Sensitivity	115 dB/mW	97 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	400 g
USB-C	Yes	-
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.

XK Audio X1266

The XK Audio X1266 is a wired over-ear headphone that draws clear inspiration from a well-known high-end design, aiming to deliver a similar aesthetic and sonic character at a more accessible price. It features dual 70mm dynamic drivers and a robust build, though its high impedance and moderate sensitivity suggest it will need a capable amplifier to perform at its best.

Pro:Dual 70mm dynamic drivers for a large, impactful sound
Pro:Solid, substantial build quality that feels premium
Pro:Wired connection with a standard 3.5mm jack for easy compatibility

Con:High impedance (280 ohms) requires a powerful amplifier
Con:Moderate sensitivity (97 dB/mW) may not be ideal for portable use
Con:Heavy weight (400g) could cause fatigue during long listening sessions

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

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