Over-Ear
Beats Executive
62Average
$159
Full review dataBeats Executive 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.
Beats Executive
Sound5.5
Noise cancelling5.5
Battery7.0
Calls4.0
Value5.0
Nectar Hive
Sound9.0
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Beats Executive | Nectar Hive |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $159 | $197 |
| HearWiki score | 62 / 100 · Average | 85 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2012 | 2022 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | Electrostatic |
| Drivers per side | 2 | - |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20Hz-7kHz |
| Sound signature | - | Bright neutral |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | none | - |
| Codecs | SBC | - |
| Multipoint pairing | No | - |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 25 h | - |
| Wireless charging | No | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | - |
| ANC type | feedback | - |
| Transparency mode | No | - |
| Controls | buttons | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 340 g | 370 g |
| Water resistance | none | - |
| USB-C | No | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 1 | - |
What reviewers said
Beats Executive
The Beats Executive are over-ear wireless headphones with active noise cancellation, offering a comfortable fit and a stylish build. Their sound leans heavily on bass, which some may enjoy, but it comes with a noticeable hiss from the ANC system and lacks overall clarity and dynamics. While they provide decent battery life and effective noise reduction for the price, their performance is inconsistent, making them a mixed pick for most listeners. They also rely entirely on their battery, as they cannot be used passively once drained.
- Pro:Effective noise cancellation for the price
- Pro:Comfortable over-ear fit for extended use
- Pro:Strong bass response for bass-heavy genres
- Con:Audible hiss from the noise-cancelling circuitry
- Con:Bass can be bloated and distort at high volumes
- Con:No passive playback when battery is dead
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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