
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.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Specifications
| Spec | HiFiMAN Deva Pro | Nectar Hive |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $179 | $197 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 85 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2021 | 2022 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | planar | Electrostatic |
| Drivers per side | 1 | - |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20Hz-7kHz |
| Sound signature | - | Bright neutral |
| Impedance | 18 Ω | - |
| Sensitivity | 93.5 dB/mW | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | - |
| Bluetooth version | 5.0 | - |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC | - |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 6 h | - |
| Wireless charging | No | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 360 g | 370 g |
| Water resistance | none | - |
| USB-C | Yes | - |
| Balanced connection | Yes | - |
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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