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HiFiMAN Deva Pro 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.

HiFiMAN Deva Pro
Sound8.0
Battery5.5
Value8.5
Nectar Hive
Sound9.0
Value7.0

Specifications

Specification comparison of HiFiMAN Deva Pro vs Nectar Hive
SpecHiFiMAN Deva ProNectar Hive
TypeOver-EarOver-Ear
Price (USD)$179$197
HearWiki score78 / 100 · Great85 / 100 · Outstanding
Released20212022
Audio
DriverplanarElectrostatic
Drivers per side1-
Frequency response20Hz-20kHz20Hz-7kHz
Sound signature-Bright neutral
Impedance18 Ω-
Sensitivity93.5 dB/mW-
Wireless
Bluetooth5.0-
Bluetooth version5.0-
CodecsSBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC-
Battery
Battery life6 h-
Wireless chargingNo-
Features
Active noise cancellingNo-
Design
Weight360 g370 g
Water resistancenone-
USB-CYes-
Balanced connectionYes-

What reviewers said

HiFiMAN Deva Pro

The HiFiMAN Deva Pro is an over-ear planar headphone that works both wired and wirelessly, offering a spacious soundstage and smooth, well-balanced tuning for its price. It supports a wide range of Bluetooth codecs including LDAC, and provides a comfortable fit, though its wireless battery life can fall short of the stated figure depending on usage. Overall, it's a versatile and strong value option for those new to planar magnetic sound.

  • Pro:Spacious, open soundstage
  • Pro:Comfortable fit for long sessions
  • Pro:Supports LDAC and aptX HD codecs
  • Con:Bluetooth battery life may be less than rated
  • Con:Needs adequate power for best wired performance
  • Con:Bluetooth module can be finicky at times

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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