Short answer: the Aune AR5000 MK2. It ranks #136 of 481 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.9/5, at $339. The Audeze Maxwell ranks #157, rated 3.8/5, at $329.99, $9.01 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The case for the Aune AR5000 MK2: Hobbyist measurements give it a Harman preference score of 80.3 with only 2.0 dB of deviation from target, so the overall balance is close to what most listeners prefer. The tradeoff: The open back leaks sound and blocks no outside noise, so it is a home headphone rather than one for commutes or shared offices.
The case for the Audeze Maxwell: The median of 8 hobbyist measurements gives it a very good Harman preference score of 78 with a 1.85 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. Watch for: Treble sits about 4.7 dB low, so it sounds a little dark.
Buy the Aune AR5000 MK2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $9.01 you would save on the Audeze Maxwell does not close the gap.
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Hobbyist measurements give it a Harman preference score of 80.3 with only 2.0 dB of deviation from target, so the overall balance is close to what most listeners prefer.
Amazon $339.00 eBay
The median of 8 hobbyist measurements gives it a very good Harman preference score of 78 with a 1.85 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural.
Amazon $329.99 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Aune AR5000 MK2 | Audeze Maxwell | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $339.00 | $329.99 |
| Ranked | #136 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones | #157 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 80 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 78 (median of 8 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.02 dB standard deviation | 1.85 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.47 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.79 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.2 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+2.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wireless and wired |
| Back | Open | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic | 1 x 90mm planar magnetic |
| Impedance | 28 ohms | - |
| Sensitivity | 112 dB SPL at 1kHz/1Vrms | - |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 43.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | - | 1.1 lbs (490 g) |
| Active Noise Cancelling | - | No |
| Battery Life | - | 80 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3, LC3plus |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
Frequency Response Compared
Both headphones’ measurements overlaid on the Harman target. Above the target sounds louder in that range, below it quieter. Each curve is the median of several independent measurements, shifted so its 500 Hz to 2 kHz average sits at 0 dB, so only the tuning is compared.
Measurement data: the Aune AR5000 MK2 from aden, elrics, kr0mka and sai; the Audeze Maxwell from boizoff, capraaudio, daemonxar, gadgetrytech, hadoe, kuulokenurkka, ragnarok and silicagel, all via squig.link.
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