Skip to content
HearWiki

JBL Live 670NC 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.

JBL Live 670NC
Sound6.5
Noise cancelling6.0
Battery8.5
Calls6.0
Value7.5
Nectar Hive
Sound9.0
Value7.0

Specifications

Specification comparison of JBL Live 670NC vs Nectar Hive
SpecJBL Live 670NCNectar Hive
TypeOver-EarOver-Ear
Price (USD)$130$197
HearWiki score62 / 100 · Average85 / 100 · Outstanding
Released20242022
Audio
DriverdynamicElectrostatic
Driver size40 mm-
Drivers per side2-
Frequency response20 Hz - 20,000 Hz20Hz-7kHz
Sound signature-Bright neutral
Impedance32 Ω-
Sensitivity98 dB/mW-
Wireless
Bluetooth5.3-
Bluetooth version5.3-
CodecsAAC-
Multipoint pairingYes-
Battery
Battery life65 h-
Battery life (ANC on)50 h-
Full charge time180 min-
Wireless chargingNo-
Features
ANC typeadaptive-
Transparency modeYes-
Companion appYes-
Custom EQYes-
Wear detectionYes-
Controlsbuttons-
Voice assistantyes-
Design
Weight219 g370 g
Water resistanceNone-
Calls
Microphones2-

What reviewers said

JBL Live 670NC

The JBL Live 670NC is a lightweight over-ear wireless headphone with adaptive active noise cancellation, delivering an impressive 65-hour battery life (50 hours with ANC on) and support for multipoint Bluetooth 5.3. It features a customizable EQ via the companion app, wear detection, and a transparent mode, making it a versatile budget-friendly option for everyday listening.

  • Pro:Exceptional battery life of up to 65 hours
  • Pro:Adaptive noise cancellation with transparency mode
  • Pro:Lightweight at 219g for comfortable wear
  • Con:No water resistance rating
  • Con:Charging takes 3 hours (no quick charge mentioned)
  • Con:Only supports AAC codec, not aptX or LDAC

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.

Compare something else

Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.