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Audeze Maxwell 2 vs STAX SR-202: which should you buy?

Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Audeze Maxwell 2 vs STAX SR-202, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Audeze Maxwell 2 leads on 6 of 6 measures.

  • Audeze Maxwell 2
  • STAX SR-202
HearWiki score
88
-
Sound
9.5
-
Battery
9.5
-
Calls
9.0
-
Value
7.5
-
Price (USD)
$330
$500

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 STAX SR-202 (2019). The Audeze Maxwell 2 edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None.

  • Maxwell 220267 yr newer
  • SR-2022019
What differsMaxwell 2SR-202

Platform

ANC type
Adaptive
None

Specifications

Maxwell 2SR-202
Type
Over-Ear
Over-Ear
Price (USD)
$330
$500
HearWiki score
88
Not scored
Released
2026
2019
Availability
Sold new
Discontinued
Driver
90 mm planar magnetic
2× electrostatic
Driver type
planar
electrostatic
Driver size
90 mm
-
Drivers per side
1
2
Frequency response
10 Hz - 50 kHz
7 Hz - 41 kHz
Sound signature
-
neutral
Impedance
-
183000 Ω
Sensitivity
-
100 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
295 g
USB-C
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.

STAX SR-202

The Stax SR-202 is a wired electrostatic over-ear headphone that relies on electrostatic force to move its ultra-thin diaphragm, delivering a natural and delicate sound. With a wide frequency response from 7 Hz to 41 kHz and a high maximum output, it aims for a neutral, detailed presentation, though it requires a dedicated electrostatic amplifier to operate.

  • Pro:Natural, delicate sound reproduction
  • Pro:Very wide frequency response (7 Hz–41 kHz)
  • Pro:Neutral tuning for accurate monitoring
  • Con:Requires a special electrostatic amplifier
  • Con:High impedance (183 kΩ) limits portability
  • Con:No noise cancellation or wireless features

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

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