Over-Ear
Audeze Maxwell 2
88Outstanding
$330
Full review dataAudeze Maxwell 2 vs Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro: 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
Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro
69Good
$200
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Audeze Maxwell 2 leads on 4 of 6 measures.
- Audeze Maxwell 2
- Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro
HearWiki score
88
69
Sound
9.5
7.5
Battery
9.5
-
Calls
9.0
-
Value
7.5
8.0
Price (USD)
$330
$200
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 Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro (2015). The Audeze Maxwell 2 edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds USB-C, Transparency mode, Custom EQ and Companion app.
- Maxwell 2202611 yr newer
- DT 990 Pro2015
What differsMaxwell 2DT 990 Pro
- ANC type
- Adaptive
- None
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- No
- Custom EQ
- Yes
- No
- Companion app
- Yes
- No
Platform
Everyday features
Specifications
Maxwell 2DT 990 Pro
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $330
- $200
- HearWiki score
- 88
- 69
- Released
- 2026
- 2015
- Availability
- Sold new
- Still 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
- -
- Impedance
- -
- 80 Ω
- 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
- none
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- No
- Companion app
- Yes
- No
- Custom EQ
- Yes
- No
- Wear detection
- No
- No
- Controls
- buttons
- buttons
- Weight
- 560 g
- 250 g
- Water resistance
- -
- none
- Foldable
- -
- No
- Detachable cable
- -
- No
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
- Connector
- -
- 6.35 mm
- Model code
- -
- 459038
- 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.
Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro
The Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro is a wired, open-back over-ear headphone designed for accurate audio reproduction in studio settings. It features a lightweight build and comfortable fit, though its high impedance requires a dedicated amplifier for optimal performance. With a detailed, open sound signature and durable construction, it's a solid choice for critical listening at home or in the studio.
- Pro:Accurate and detailed sound reproduction
- Pro:Very low distortion across the frequency range
- Pro:Comfortable for long listening sessions
- Con:Requires an external amplifier due to high impedance
- Con:Non-detachable cable limits repairability
- Con:No active noise cancellation or 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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