Over-Ear
Audeze Maxwell 2
88Outstanding
$330
Full review dataAudeze Maxwell 2 vs Audio-Technica Ad900x: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Audeze Maxwell 2 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 - Outstanding overall at around $329.
Over-Ear
Audio-Technica Ad900x
68Good
$220
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Audeze Maxwell 2 leads on 5 of 6 measures.
- Audeze Maxwell 2
- Audio-Technica Ad900x
HearWiki score
88
68
Sound
9.5
7.6
Battery
9.5
-
Calls
9.0
-
Value
7.5
6.6
Price (USD)
$330
$220
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 (2026) against Audio-Technica Ad900x (2012). The Audeze Maxwell 2 edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds USB-C.
- Maxwell 2202614 yr newer
- Ad900x2012
What differsMaxwell 2Ad900x
- ANC type
- Adaptive
- None
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
Platform
Everyday features
Specifications
Maxwell 2Ad900x
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $330
- $220
- HearWiki score
- 88
- 68
- Released
- 2026
- 2012
- Availability
- Sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 90 mm planar magnetic
- 53 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- planar
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 90 mm
- 53 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 10 Hz - 50 kHz
- 5 Hz - 35 kHz
- Impedance
- -
- 38 Ω
- Sensitivity
- -
- 100 dB/mW
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- -
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC, LC3, LC3plus, LDAC
- -
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- -
- Battery life
- 80 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
- buttons
- -
- Weight
- 560 g
- 265 g
- Detachable cable
- -
- No
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
- Connector
- -
- 3.5 mm
- Microphones
- 2
- -
- Call noise reduction
- Yes
- -
- Call NR technology
- AI ENC
- -
What reviewers said
Audeze Maxwell 2
No summary yet - we haven't aggregated enough reviews.
Audio-Technica Ad900x
The Audio-Technica AD900X is an open-back, wired over-ear headphone designed for quiet environments, offering a lightweight and comfortable fit with an airy, spacious soundstage. Its 53 mm drivers deliver clean, detailed audio at normal volumes, though the plastic build and light bass response may not suit bass-heavy listeners. Best for those seeking an entry-level open-back experience with extended highs and easy driving.
- Pro:Very lightweight and comfortable for long sessions
- Pro:Wide, airy soundstage with detailed highs
- Pro:Low distortion at typical listening levels
- Con:Plastic build feels less premium
- Con:Bass and mids are somewhat thin
- Con:Open-back design offers minimal isolation and leaks sound
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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