Is the HiFiMAN Edition Xs worth the upgrade from the Audeze Maxwell 2?
Verdict
Downgrade
The HiFiMAN Edition Xs actually scores 9.7 points below the Audeze Maxwell 2, so on aggregate review consensus this is a step backwards. The gains are concentrated in value (7.5 to 9.3). You do give up ground on sound (9.5 to 8.5). On paper: weight 560 g to 405 g. Worth checking: active noise cancelling goes Yes to No and driver size goes 90 mm to 80 mm. It is at least $60 cheaper, so the lower score comes with a saving. Only worth it if a specific feature above matters more to you than overall quality does.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound9.58.5
- Value7.59.3
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | Maxwell 2 | Edition Xs | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | No | |
| Weight | 560 g | 405 g | |
| Driver size | 90 mm | 80 mm | |
| USB-C | Yes | No | |
| Controls | buttons | none | |
| Driver | 90 mm planar magnetic | 80 mm planar magnetic | |
| Frequency response | 10 Hz - 50 kHz | 8 Hz - 50 kHz |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "Maxwell 2 to Edition Xs". The other direction is a separate question with a different answer. Scores blend published review verdicts across over-ear and shift as new reviews land, so a marginal call today may not be one next quarter.