Audeze Maxwell 2 vs Shure Srh840a: 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.
Score 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
- Shure Srh840a
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?
Audeze Maxwell 2 (2026) against Shure Srh840a (2022). The Audeze Maxwell 2 edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds USB-C.
- Maxwell 220264 yr newer
- Srh840a2022
- ANC type
- Adaptive
- None
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
Platform
Everyday features
Specifications
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $330
- $170
- HearWiki score
- 88
- 77
- Released
- 2026
- 2022
- 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
- 5 Hz - 25 kHz
- Impedance
- -
- 40 Ω
- Sensitivity
- -
- 97 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
- buttons
- Weight
- 560 g
- 273 g
- Foldable
- -
- Yes
- Detachable cable
- -
- Yes
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
- 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 Srh840a
The Shure SRH840A is a wired, closed-back over-ear headphone built for studio monitoring and everyday listening. It pairs a 40mm dynamic driver with a detachable cable and foldable design, delivering a balanced sound signature with a slight bass emphasis and a subtle upper-mid dip. Its lower impedance makes it easier to drive with a wide range of devices, while the robust build suits professional and casual use alike.
- Pro:Clear, detailed sound with a flat midrange
- Pro:Detachable cable adds convenience and repairability
- Pro:Foldable design for easy transport and storage
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Bass emphasis may not suit purists seeking neutrality
- Con:Upper-mid dip can affect vocal presence
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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