Over-Ear
Audeze Maxwell 2
88Outstanding
$330
Full review dataAudeze Maxwell 2 vs HiFiMAN Edition Xv: 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 Edition Xv
84Outstanding
$280
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 Edition Xv
HearWiki score
88
84
Sound
9.5
8.6
Battery
9.5
-
Calls
9.0
-
Value
7.5
9.2
Price (USD)
$330
$280
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 Edition Xv (2025). The Audeze Maxwell 2 edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None.
- Maxwell 220261 yr newer
- Edition Xv2025
What differsMaxwell 2Edition Xv
- ANC type
- Adaptive
- None
Platform
Specifications
Maxwell 2Edition Xv
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $330
- $280
- HearWiki score
- 88
- 84
- Released
- 2026
- 2025
- Availability
- Sold new
- Sold new
- Driver
- 90 mm planar magnetic
- 80 mm planar magnetic
- Driver type
- planar
- planar
- Driver size
- 90 mm
- 80 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 10 Hz - 50 kHz
- 8 Hz - 50 kHz
- Impedance
- -
- 12 Ω
- Sensitivity
- -
- 92 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
- none
- Weight
- 560 g
- 452 g
- Detachable cable
- -
- Yes
- USB-C
- Yes
- -
- Balanced connection
- -
- Yes
- 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 Edition Xv
The HiFiMAN Edition Xv is an open-back planar magnetic headphone that delivers a warm, smooth, and easy-going sound signature with impressive treble extension and a lush bass response. Its 80mm drivers and low impedance make it easy to drive with affordable gear, though its stiff headband and slightly veiled midrange may not appeal to everyone. It's a solid choice for listeners seeking a relaxed, non-fatiguing planar experience at a budget-friendly price.
- Pro:Warm, smooth tuning with excellent treble for an over-ear
- Pro:Easy to drive with low impedance and high sensitivity
- Pro:Spacious, immersive soundstage with good technical performance
- Con:Stiff headband reduces long-term comfort
- Con:Midrange can sound veiled or overly warm
- Con:Accessories feel less premium than expected
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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