Over-Ear
Marshall Monitor III
72Good
$380
Full review dataMarshall Monitor III 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.
Marshall Monitor III
Sound7.5
Noise cancelling6.0
Battery9.5
Calls6.0
Value7.0
Nectar Hive
Sound9.0
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Marshall Monitor III | Nectar Hive |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $380 | $197 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 85 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2024 | 2022 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | Electrostatic |
| Driver size | 32 mm | - |
| Drivers per side | 2 | - |
| Frequency response | 20-20000 Hz | 20Hz-7kHz |
| Sound signature | - | Bright neutral |
| Impedance | 35 Ω | - |
| Sensitivity | 117 dB/mW | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | - |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | - |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 | - |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | - |
| Wireless range | 10 m | - |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 100 h | - |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 70 h | - |
| Full charge time | 150 min | - |
| Quick charge | 15 min = 12 h | - |
| Wireless charging | No | - |
| Features | ||
| ANC type | adaptive | - |
| Transparency mode | Yes | - |
| Companion app | Yes | - |
| Custom EQ | Yes | - |
| Wear detection | No | - |
| Controls | both | - |
| Voice assistant | voice command | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 250 g | 370 g |
| Water resistance | none | - |
| USB-C | Yes | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 1 | - |
What reviewers said
Marshall Monitor III
The Marshall Monitor III are over-ear wireless headphones that blend a classic rock aesthetic with modern features like active noise cancellation and Bluetooth 5.3 multipoint. Their standout trait is an exceptionally long battery life, reaching up to 100 hours without ANC, though the noise cancellation itself is average rather than class-leading. They offer a warm, signature Marshall sound, a sturdy build, and handy extras like wear detection and quick charging.
- Pro:Exceptional battery life, even with ANC on
- Pro:Distinctive, durable design with physical controls
- Pro:Supports LDAC and AAC codecs for versatile playback
- Con:Noise cancellation is not the strongest in its class
- Con:No water resistance rating
- Con:Only one microphone for calls, which may limit clarity
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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