Over-Ear
Focal Spirit One S
76Great
$249
Full review dataFocal Spirit One S 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 Spirit One S
Sound7.5
Value7.0
Nectar Hive
Sound9.0
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Focal Spirit One S | Nectar Hive |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $249 | $197 |
| HearWiki score | 76 / 100 · Great | 85 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2014 | 2022 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | 40mm | Electrostatic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | - |
| Drivers per side | 2 | - |
| Frequency response | 5Hz-22kHz | 20Hz-7kHz |
| Sound signature | - | Bright neutral |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | - |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB/mW | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | none | - |
| Multipoint pairing | 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 | 280 g | 370 g |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 1 | - |
What reviewers said
Focal Spirit One S
The Focal Spirit One S is a wired over-ear headphone that delivers a smooth, balanced sound with good detail and a lively, entertaining character that suits both music and movies. It's praised for its comfortable, well-built design, though the bass can occasionally feel a bit heavy and the strong clamping force may be a drawback for some listeners. Overall, it's a solid everyday option for those who value tonal refinement over raw excitement.
- Pro:Smooth, well-balanced sound with good detail
- Pro:Comfortable ear pads and overall wearability
- Pro:Solid build quality that feels durable
- Con:Bass can sometimes be slightly overpowering
- Con:Strong clamping force may cause discomfort over long sessions
- Con:Lacks the punch and excitement of some competitors
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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