Audeze Maxwell 2 vs Fosi I5: 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

Audeze Maxwell 2

88Outstanding

$330

Full review data

Over-Ear

Score 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
Fosi I5

HearWiki score

Sound

9.5

8.6

Battery

9.5

Calls

9.0

Value

7.5

8.2

Price (USD)

$330

$550

Specifications

Maxwell 2I5

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $330; $550
HearWiki score: 88; 80
Released: 2026; 2025
Availability: Sold new; Sold new
Driver: 90 mm planar magnetic; 97 mm planar magnetic
Driver type: planar; planar
Driver size: 90 mm; 97 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 10 Hz - 50 kHz; -
Impedance: -; 28 Ω
Sensitivity: -; 98 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; -
ANC type: adaptive; -
Transparency mode: Yes; -
Companion app: Yes; -
Custom EQ: Yes; -
Wear detection: No; -
Controls: buttons; -
Weight: 560 g; 550 g
USB-C: Yes; -
Connector: -; 3.5 mm
Balanced connection: -; Yes
Microphones: 2; -
Call noise reduction: Yes; -
Call NR technology: AI ENC; -

Specification comparison of Audeze Maxwell 2 vs Fosi I5
Spec	Audeze Maxwell 2	Fosi I5
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$330	$550
HearWiki score	88 / 100 Outstanding	80 / 100 Great
Released	2026	2025
Audio
Driver	90 mm planar magnetic	97 mm planar magnetic
Driver type	planar	planar
Driver size	90 mm	97 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	10 Hz - 50 kHz	-
Impedance	-	28 Ω
Sensitivity	-	98 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.3	-
Codecs	SBC, AAC, LC3, LC3plus, LDAC	-
Multipoint pairing	Yes	-
Battery
Battery life	80 h	-
Battery life (ANC on)	35 h	-
Full charge time	120 min	-
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	-
ANC type	adaptive	-
Transparency mode	Yes	-
Companion app	Yes	-
Custom EQ	Yes	-
Wear detection	No	-
Controls	buttons	-
Design
Weight	560 g	550 g
USB-C	Yes	-
Connector	-	3.5 mm
Balanced connection	-	Yes
Calls
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.

Fosi I5

The Fosi I5 is a wired, open-back planar magnetic over-ear headphone featuring a large 97 mm driver and a lightweight-ish 550 g build, aiming for high technical performance at a mid-range price. It offers strong build quality and easy drivability from portable sources, with a sound signature that leans toward a warm, detailed presentation but includes some treble emphasis and requires careful pairing to avoid brightness. Its value is generally praised, though its weight and tuning preferences make it a niche recommendation rather than a universal one.

Pro:Excellent build quality and comfort for long sessions
Pro:High technical performance with fast, detailed sound
Pro:Easy to drive, reaching loud volumes on portable gear

Con:Heavy at 550 g, which may cause fatigue
Con:Upper mids and treble can be overly emphasized for some listeners
Con:Benefits from a quality amplifier to fully control dynamics

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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