Over-Ear
Focal Listen Wireless
72Good
$299
Full review dataFocal Listen Wireless 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.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Focal Listen Wireless
Sound7.5
Battery7.0
Value6.5
Nectar Hive
Sound9.0
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Focal Listen Wireless | Nectar Hive |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $299 | $197 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 85 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2017 | 2022 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic electrodynamic mylar-titanium | Electrostatic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | - |
| Drivers per side | 1 | - |
| Frequency response | 15Hz-22kHz | 20Hz-7kHz |
| Sound signature | - | Bright neutral |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | - |
| Sensitivity | 122 dB/mW | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 4.1 | - |
| Bluetooth version | 4.1 | - |
| Codecs | aptX, SBC | - |
| Multipoint pairing | No | - |
| Wireless range | 15 m | - |
| Battery | ||
| Wireless charging | No | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | - |
| ANC type | none | - |
| Transparency mode | No | - |
| Companion app | No | - |
| Custom EQ | No | - |
| Wear detection | No | - |
| Controls | buttons | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 300 g | 370 g |
| Water resistance | none | - |
| Foldable | Yes | - |
| Detachable cable | Yes | - |
| USB-C | No | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 2 | - |
What reviewers said
Focal Listen Wireless
The Focal Listen Wireless is a straightforward over-ear headphone that prioritizes sound quality, offering a smooth and well-organized audio performance with solid battery life. While it carries a premium price, its feature set is minimal—lacking noise cancellation, app support, and EQ options—and its design feels bulky, making it a better choice for audio purists than for those seeking modern conveniences.
- Pro:Strong, well-organized sound quality
- Pro:Good battery life that matches or exceeds claims
- Pro:Foldable design for portability
- Con:No active noise cancellation or transparency mode
- Con:Bulky and dated design
- Con:Premium price for a limited feature set
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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