Audeze Maxwell 2 vs Focal Listen 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.
Score 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
- Focal Listen Pro
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?
Audeze Maxwell 2 (2026) against Focal Listen Pro (2016). The Audeze Maxwell 2 edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None.
- Maxwell 2202610 yr newer
- Listen Pro2016
- ANC type
- Adaptive
- None
Platform
Specifications
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $330
- $300
- HearWiki score
- 88
- 73
- Released
- 2026
- 2016
- Availability
- Sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 90 mm planar magnetic
- 40 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- planar
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 90 mm
- 40 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 10 Hz - 50 kHz
- 5 Hz - 23 kHz
- Impedance
- -
- 32 Ω
- Sensitivity
- -
- 122 dB/mW
- Sensitivity (dB/Vrms)
- -
- 122
- 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
- 280 g
- Foldable
- -
- Yes
- Detachable cable
- -
- Yes
- USB-C
- Yes
- -
- Pad material
- -
- velour
- 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.
Focal Listen Pro
The Focal Listen Pro is a wired, closed-back over-ear headphone built for studio and everyday use, featuring a 40mm dynamic driver and a lightweight, foldable design with velour pads. It offers strong build quality and comfort for long sessions, but its sound signature leans toward a bass-emphasized, non-neutral tuning that may not suit critical mixing without EQ correction. With high sensitivity and low impedance, it performs well at low volumes and includes a practical accessory set.
- Pro:Durable, sturdy construction
- Pro:Comfortable velour pads for long wear
- Pro:Foldable and portable design
- Con:Sound tuning is not neutral, with bass emphasis and midrange coloration
- Con:Not ideal for critical mixing or mastering without calibration
- Con:Lacks active noise cancellation
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.