Over-Ear
Audeze Maxwell 2
88Outstanding
$330
Full review dataAudeze Maxwell 2 vs Shure Srh1440: 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
Shure Srh1440
65Good
$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 5 of 6 measures.
- Audeze Maxwell 2
- Shure Srh1440
HearWiki score
88
65
Sound
9.5
7.5
Battery
9.5
-
Calls
9.0
-
Value
7.5
-
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 Shure Srh1440 (2012). The Audeze Maxwell 2 edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds USB-C.
- Maxwell 2202614 yr newer
- Srh14402012
What differsMaxwell 2Srh1440
- ANC type
- Adaptive
- None
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
Platform
Everyday features
Specifications
Maxwell 2Srh1440
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $330
- $280
- HearWiki score
- 88
- 65
- Released
- 2026
- 2012
- 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
- 15 Hz - 27 kHz
- Impedance
- -
- 37 Ω
- Sensitivity
- -
- 101 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
- 343 g
- Detachable cable
- -
- Yes
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
- Pad material
- -
- velour
- 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.
Shure Srh1440
The Shure SRH1440 is an open-back, wired over-ear headphone that combines a lightweight, comfortable design with a spacious and neutral sound signature. Its 40mm dynamic drivers and low 37-ohm impedance make it easy to drive from a wide range of sources, while the detachable cable and included velour pads add practical value. With a balanced connection option and a broad frequency response, it's a solid choice for critical listening at home.
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable fit
- Pro:Open, neutral sound with good dynamics
- Pro:Easy to drive due to low impedance
- Con:Plastic build may feel less premium
- Con:Low sensitivity may require more power for best results
- Con:Open-back design leaks sound and offers no isolation
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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