Over-Ear
Audeze Maxwell 2
88Outstanding
$330
Full review dataAudeze Maxwell 2 vs Audio-Technica R70xa: 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 R70xa
84Outstanding
$380
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 R70xa
HearWiki score
88
84
Sound
9.5
8.9
Battery
9.5
-
Calls
9.0
-
Value
7.5
8.5
Price (USD)
$330
$380
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 R70xa (2025). The Audeze Maxwell 2 edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds USB-C.
- Maxwell 220261 yr newer
- R70xa2025
What differsMaxwell 2R70xa
- ANC type
- Adaptive
- None
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
Platform
Everyday features
Specifications
Maxwell 2R70xa
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $330
- $380
- HearWiki score
- 88
- 84
- Released
- 2026
- 2025
- Availability
- Sold new
- Sold new
- Driver
- 90 mm planar magnetic
- 45 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- planar
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 90 mm
- 45 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 10 Hz - 50 kHz
- 5 Hz - 40 kHz
- Impedance
- -
- 470 Ω
- Sensitivity
- -
- 97 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
- 199 g
- Detachable cable
- -
- Yes
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
- Pad material
- -
- velour
- Connector
- -
- 3.5 mm
- Balanced connection
- -
- Yes
- 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 R70xa
The Audio-Technica R70xa is a featherlight open-back headphone built for critical listening, delivering a spacious and highly detailed sound signature with tight bass and strong separation. Its neutral tuning and studio-oriented performance make it a solid choice for mixing work, though its 470-ohm impedance demands a capable external amplifier to shine. Comfort is generally good thanks to the low weight and velour pads, but the headband design can be finicky for some users.
- Pro:Extremely lightweight and comfortable for long sessions
- Pro:Open, detailed sound with a wide soundstage
- Pro:Neutral tuning well-suited for studio mixing and mastering
- Con:High impedance requires a dedicated amplifier
- Con:Headband fit can be inconsistent and less flexible
- Con:Treble can occasionally sound rough or harsh
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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