Is the Audeze Maxwell 2 worth the upgrade from the Shure Srh840a?
Verdict
Clear upgrade
Going from the Shure Srh840a to the Audeze Maxwell 2 buys you 11.2 points of HearWiki score - a clear step up that reviewers agree on rather than a marketing refresh. The gains are concentrated in sound (8.0 to 9.5). You do give up ground on value (8.0 to 7.5). On paper: active noise cancelling, driver size 40 mm to 90 mm and usb-c. Worth checking: weight goes 273 g to 560 g. That costs $160 more, or about $14 per point of score - reasonable value for the jump. If your current pair is worn out or the gains line up with how you listen, this one is worth the money.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound8.09.5
- Value8.07.5
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | Srh840a | Maxwell 2 | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active noise cancelling | No | Yes | |
| Weight | 273 g | 560 g | |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 90 mm | |
| USB-C | No | Yes | |
| Driver | 40 mm dynamic | 90 mm planar magnetic | |
| Frequency response | 5 Hz - 25 kHz | 10 Hz - 50 kHz |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "Srh840a to Maxwell 2". 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.