Over-Ear
Apple Beats Studio Pro
82Great
$270
Full review dataApple Beats Studio Pro vs Nectar Hive: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Nectar Hive comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 85. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Nectar Hive - Outstanding overall at around $197.
Over-Ear
Nectar Hive
85Outstanding
$197
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Apple Beats Studio Pro
Sound8.0
Noise cancelling7.5
Battery8.5
Calls7.5
Value7.5
Nectar Hive
Sound9.0
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Apple Beats Studio Pro | Nectar Hive |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $270 | $197 |
| HearWiki score | 82 / 100 · Great | 85 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2023 | 2022 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | 40mm | Electrostatic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | - |
| Drivers per side | 2 | - |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20Hz-7kHz |
| Sound signature | - | Bright neutral |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | - |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | - |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | - |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | - |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 40 h | - |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 24 h | - |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 4 h | - |
| Wireless charging | No | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | - |
| ANC type | adaptive | - |
| Transparency mode | Yes | - |
| Companion app | Yes | - |
| Custom EQ | Yes | - |
| Wear detection | No | - |
| Controls | buttons | - |
| Voice assistant | Siri | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 260 g | 370 g |
| Water resistance | none | - |
| Foldable | Yes | - |
| USB-C | Yes | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 6 | - |
What reviewers said
Apple Beats Studio Pro
The Beats Studio Pro are a feature-packed over-ear wireless headphone that significantly improve on earlier Beats models, offering strong sound, adaptive noise cancellation, and a handy USB-C wired mode with a built-in DAC. They provide long battery life, broad compatibility with both Apple and Android devices, and a familiar, comfortable design, making them a versatile premium choice. While they excel in many areas, they face stiff competition at this price point and lack some modern conveniences like wear detection.
- Pro:Excellent battery life, especially with ANC off
- Pro:USB-C audio with built-in DAC for high-quality wired listening
- Pro:Effective adaptive noise cancellation and transparency mode
- Con:No wear detection sensor for auto-pause
- Con:Limited codec support (no aptX or LDAC)
- Con:Not the best value compared to some rivals
Nectar Hive
The Nectar Hive is a wired electrostatic over-ear headphone priced around $600, weighing just 370 grams. It delivers a bright neutral sound signature with a frequency response spanning 20Hz to 7kHz, offering a detailed and airy presentation that leans toward analytical clarity. This model earns high marks for its tonal balance and technical performance, making it a strong contender in its price bracket for listeners who prefer a crisp, revealing sound.
- Pro:Excellent tonal accuracy and neutrality
- Pro:Impressive technical detail retrieval
- Pro:Featherweight design for comfort
- Con:Bright tilt may be fatiguing for some
- Con:Limited bass impact due to electrostatic nature
- Con:Requires dedicated amplifier for proper use
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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