FiiO EH3 NC vs Nectar Hive: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the FiiO EH3 NC 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 | FiiO EH3 NC | Nectar Hive |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $200 | $197 |
| HearWiki score | Not scored | 85 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2019 | 2022 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | 45mm double-sided titanium-plated diaphragm | Electrostatic |
| Driver size | 45 mm | - |
| Drivers per side | 1 | - |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20Hz-7kHz |
| Sound signature | - | Bright neutral |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | - |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB/mW | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | - |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Low Latency, aptX HD, LDAC | - |
| Multipoint pairing | No | - |
| Wireless range | 10 m | - |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 50 h | - |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 30 h | - |
| Full charge time | 180 min | - |
| Quick charge | fast charging | - |
| Features | ||
| ANC type | hybrid | - |
| Transparency mode | No | - |
| Companion app | Yes | - |
| Custom EQ | No | - |
| Wear detection | No | - |
| Controls | buttons | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 293 g | 370 g |
| USB-C | Yes | - |
| Calls | ||
| Call noise reduction | multi-microphone active noise reduction | - |
What reviewers said
FiiO EH3 NC
The FiiO EH3 NC is a budget-friendly over-ear wireless headphone that combines hybrid active noise cancellation with high-resolution Bluetooth audio support, including LDAC and aptX HD. It features large 45mm titanium-coated drivers for detailed sound and offers an impressive battery life of up to 50 hours without ANC, or 30 hours with it enabled. While it lacks advanced extras like transparency mode or multipoint connectivity, its solid build, fast charging, and app support make it a strong value option.
- Pro:Excellent battery life, especially with ANC off
- Pro:Supports high-quality Bluetooth codecs like LDAC and aptX HD
- Pro:Hybrid ANC effectively reduces ambient noise
- Con:No transparency mode for hearing surroundings
- Con:No multipoint Bluetooth for connecting to two devices at once
- Con:Lacks custom EQ and wear detection features
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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