Many know Audeze as an audio company that started developing audiophile-grade headphones nearly two decades ago, creating planar magnetic headphones like the LCD-X and LCD-2 that have grown to become absolute cult classics in the head-fi space.
In 2018, Audeze brought its audiophile prowess into the gaming market with the introduction of the Mobius, a beloved gaming headset and then took everything it learned from the Mobius and poured it into the Maxwell which, in 2023, became its best-selling product ever. Now, after successfully releasing a sequel, the Maxwell 2, in early 2026, Audeze has announced its new flagship, and an acknowledgment of its competitive lead: the Maxwell 2 ANC.
The engineering problems Audeze solves
An enormous amount of work went into building noise canceling technology that works well with full-range planar drivers. In most other headphones, noise canceling can change the way they sound. This is particularly true of planar drivers, which tend to be larger and less efficient, but output a smoother bass response and better overall sound in return.
The Maxwell 2 ANC, thanks to careful measurement and tuning, boasts a frequency response that’s nearly identical whether ANC is on or off, a massive accomplishment and a unique differentiator across the industry.
