Over-Ear
Audeze Maxwell 2
88Outstanding
$330
Full review dataAudeze Maxwell 2 vs HiFiMAN Ananda Stealth V3: 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
HiFiMAN Ananda Stealth V3
81Outstanding
$250
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
- HiFiMAN Ananda Stealth V3
HearWiki score
88
81
Sound
9.5
8.5
Battery
9.5
-
Calls
9.0
-
Value
7.5
9.4
Price (USD)
$330
$250
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 HiFiMAN Ananda Stealth V3 (2023). The Audeze Maxwell 2 edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None.
- Maxwell 220263 yr newer
- Ananda Stealth V32023
What differsMaxwell 2Ananda Stealth V3
- ANC type
- Adaptive
- None
Platform
Specifications
Maxwell 2Ananda Stealth V3
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $330
- $250
- HearWiki score
- 88
- 81
- Released
- 2026
- 2023
- Availability
- Sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 90 mm planar magnetic
- planar magnetic
- Driver type
- planar
- planar
- Driver size
- 90 mm
- -
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 10 Hz - 50 kHz
- 8 Hz - 55 kHz
- Impedance
- -
- 16 Ω
- Sensitivity
- -
- 93 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
- 398 g
- Detachable cable
- -
- Yes
- USB-C
- Yes
- -
- Balanced connection
- -
- Yes
- Model code
- -
- ANANDA Stealth Magnet
- 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.
HiFiMAN Ananda Stealth V3
The HiFiMAN Ananda Stealth V3 is an open-back planar magnetic headphone that delivers a detailed, expansive soundstage and strong performance for its price point. Its lightweight design and detachable cable add convenience, though the lack of noise isolation and somewhat firm inner padding may not suit everyone. Overall, it’s a compelling option for listeners seeking high-fidelity audio without breaking the bank.
- Pro:Excellent value for planar magnetic performance
- Pro:Open-back design provides a wide, airy soundstage
- Pro:Detachable cable allows for easy upgrades or replacements
- Con:Inner foam padding can feel firm and less comfortable for some
- Con:Open-back design offers no noise isolation, leaking sound in and out
- Con:Requires a quiet environment to fully appreciate its audio quality
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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