Over-Ear
KEF Nothing Headphone (1)
72Good
$299
Full review dataKEF Nothing Headphone (1) 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.
Over-Ear
Nectar Hive
85Outstanding
$197
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
KEF Nothing Headphone (1)
Sound7.5
Noise cancelling6.5
Battery8.5
Calls7.0
Value7.0
Nectar Hive
Sound9.0
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | KEF Nothing Headphone (1) | Nectar Hive |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $299 | $197 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 85 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2025 | 2022 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | 40 mm dynamic driver | Electrostatic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | - |
| Drivers per side | 2 | - |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-40kHz | 20Hz-7kHz |
| Sound signature | - | Bright neutral |
| Impedance | 16 Ω | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | - |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | - |
| Codecs | AAC, SBC, LDAC | - |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | - |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 80 h | - |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 35 h | - |
| Quick charge | 5 min = 5 h | - |
| Wireless charging | No | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | - |
| ANC type | adaptive | - |
| Transparency mode | Yes | - |
| Companion app | Yes | - |
| Custom EQ | Yes | - |
| Wear detection | Yes | - |
| Controls | both | - |
| Voice assistant | ChatGPT | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 329 g | 370 g |
| Case weight | 264 g | - |
| Water resistance | IP52 | - |
| USB-C | Yes | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 6 | - |
| Call noise reduction | 4-mic ENC | - |
What reviewers said
KEF Nothing Headphone (1)
This over-ear wireless headphone blends a standout design with versatile connectivity, including Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint pairing, and high-resolution LDAC support. It offers adaptive noise cancellation, a transparency mode, and a robust 80-hour battery life without ANC (35 hours with it), making it a solid choice for everyday listening. The 40mm dynamic drivers deliver a wide frequency response, while the companion app and EQ customization add further flexibility.
- Pro:Long battery life, especially with ANC off
- Pro:LDAC support for high-res audio streaming
- Pro:Adaptive ANC and transparency modes
- Con:ANC battery life is significantly shorter than non-ANC
- Con:No official water resistance rating beyond basic IP52
- Con:Plastic build may not feel premium to all users
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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