Audeze Maxwell 2 vs Sennheiser HD 300: 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
Sennheiser HD 300

HearWiki score

Sound

9.5

6.4

Battery

9.5

Calls

9.0

Value

7.5

Price (USD)

$330

$220

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 Sennheiser HD 300 (2019). The Audeze Maxwell 2 edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None.

Maxwell 220267 yr newer
HD 3002019

What differsMaxwell 2HD 300

ANC type: Adaptive; None

Specifications

Maxwell 2HD 300

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $330; $220
HearWiki score: 88; 59
Released: 2026; 2019
Availability: Sold new; Still sold new
Driver: 90 mm planar magnetic; 32 mm dynamic
Driver type: planar; dynamic
Driver size: 90 mm; 32 mm
Drivers per side: 1; -
Frequency response: 10 Hz - 50 kHz; 6 Hz - 25 kHz
Impedance: -; 64 Ω
Sensitivity (dB/Vrms): -; 108
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; 297 g
USB-C: Yes; -
Microphones: 2; -
Call noise reduction: Yes; -
Call NR technology: AI ENC; -

Specification comparison of Audeze Maxwell 2 vs Sennheiser HD 300
Spec	Audeze Maxwell 2	Sennheiser HD 300
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$330	$220
HearWiki score	88 / 100 Outstanding	59 / 100 Average
Released	2026	2019
Audio
Driver	90 mm planar magnetic	32 mm dynamic
Driver type	planar	dynamic
Driver size	90 mm	32 mm
Drivers per side	1	-
Frequency response	10 Hz - 50 kHz	6 Hz - 25 kHz
Impedance	-	64 Ω
Sensitivity (dB/Vrms)	-	108
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	No
ANC type	adaptive	-
Transparency mode	Yes	-
Companion app	Yes	-
Custom EQ	Yes	-
Wear detection	No	-
Controls	buttons	-
Design
Weight	560 g	297 g
USB-C	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.

Sennheiser HD 300

The Sennheiser HD 300 is a wired, closed-back over-ear headphone designed for reliable monitoring and portable studio work. It combines a lightweight, easy-to-drive build with strong passive isolation and a balanced, detailed sound signature, making it a practical choice for tracking, mixing, and on-the-go use.

Pro:Strong passive isolation for focused listening
Pro:Natural, well-balanced sound with good detail
Pro:Easy to drive from portable devices

Con:Cable length may be too short for some setups
Con:No active noise cancellation
Con:Closed-back design may limit soundstage width

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

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