Over-Ear
Audeze Maxwell 2
88Outstanding
$330
Full review dataAudeze Maxwell 2 vs Austrian Audio Hi-X65: 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
Austrian Audio Hi-X65
74Great
$500
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Audeze Maxwell 2 leads on 6 of 6 measures.
- Audeze Maxwell 2
- Austrian Audio Hi-X65
HearWiki score
88
74
Sound
9.5
8.0
Battery
9.5
-
Calls
9.0
-
Value
7.5
6.1
Price (USD)
$330
$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 (2026) against Austrian Audio Hi-X65 (2021). The Audeze Maxwell 2 edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Transparency mode and Custom EQ.
- Maxwell 220265 yr newer
- Hi-X652021
What differsMaxwell 2Hi-X65
- ANC type
- Adaptive
- None
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- No
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- No
- Custom EQ
- Yes
- No
- Companion app
- Yes
- No
Platform
Everyday features
Specifications
Maxwell 2Hi-X65
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $330
- $500
- HearWiki score
- 88
- 74
- Released
- 2026
- 2021
- Availability
- Sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 90 mm planar magnetic
- 44 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- planar
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 90 mm
- 44 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 10 Hz - 50 kHz
- 5 Hz - 28 kHz
- Impedance
- -
- 25 Ω
- Sensitivity (dB/Vrms)
- -
- 110
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- -
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC, LC3, LC3plus, LDAC
- -
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- No
- Battery life
- 80 h
- -
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 35 h
- -
- Full charge time
- 120 min
- -
- Wireless charging
- -
- No
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- No
- ANC type
- adaptive
- none
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- No
- Companion app
- Yes
- No
- Custom EQ
- Yes
- No
- Wear detection
- No
- No
- Controls
- buttons
- none
- Voice assistant
- -
- No
- Weight
- 560 g
- 310 g
- Water resistance
- -
- none
- Foldable
- -
- No
- Detachable cable
- -
- Yes
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
- Pad material
- -
- leatherette
- Connector
- -
- 3.5 mm
- Microphones
- 2
- -
- Call noise reduction
- Yes
- No
- Call NR technology
- AI ENC
- -
What reviewers said
Audeze Maxwell 2
No summary yet - we haven't aggregated enough reviews.
Austrian Audio Hi-X65
The Austrian Audio Hi-X65 is a wired, open-back over-ear headphone built for studio work and critical listening. It combines a lightweight 310g frame with a 44mm dynamic driver to deliver a balanced, detailed sound with low distortion. While it lacks wireless features and controls, its clarity and comfort make it a strong choice for mixing and analytical use at its price point.
- Pro:Balanced and detailed sound signature
- Pro:Excellent distortion control for critical listening
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for long sessions
- Con:No wireless, ANC, or app support
- Con:Lacks in-line controls or remote
- Con:Open-back design leaks sound and offers no isolation
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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