Bose SoundLink Around-Ear Wireless vs Nectar Hive: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Bose SoundLink Around-Ear Wireless vs Nectar Hive, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
No sub-scores yet - not enough rated reviews.
Specifications
| Spec | Bose SoundLink Around-Ear Wireless | Nectar Hive |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $229 | $197 |
| HearWiki score | Not scored | 85 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2017 | 2022 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | - | Electrostatic |
| Drivers per side | 2 | - |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20Hz-7kHz |
| Sound signature | - | Bright neutral |
| Impedance | 50 Ω | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth | - |
| Codecs | SBC | - |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | - |
| Wireless range | 9 m | - |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 15 h | - |
| Full charge time | 180 min | - |
| Quick charge | 15 min = 2 h | - |
| Features | ||
| Controls | buttons | - |
| Voice assistant | none | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 149.4 g | 370 g |
| USB-C | No | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 1 | - |
What reviewers said
Bose SoundLink Around-Ear Wireless
These over-ear wireless headphones deliver steady audio across volume levels and support clear phone conversations, all within a lightweight and durable frame. They offer a comfortable fit for extended listening, though their feature set is fairly basic, focusing on core wireless performance rather than extras.
- Pro:Consistent sound at different volume levels
- Pro:Very lightweight and comfortable for long sessions
- Pro:Reliable multipoint Bluetooth for easy device switching
- Con:Only supports the basic SBC Bluetooth codec
- Con:No USB-C charging, relying on an older connector
- Con:No voice assistant integration
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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