Over-Ear
Nectar Hive
85Outstanding
$197
Full review dataNectar Hive vs Philips Fidelio L3: 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.
Nectar Hive
Sound9.0
Value7.0
Philips Fidelio L3
Sound7.0
Noise cancelling6.5
Battery8.0
Calls6.0
Value7.5
Specifications
| Spec | Nectar Hive | Philips Fidelio L3 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $197 | $121 |
| HearWiki score | 85 / 100 · Outstanding | 68 / 100 · Good |
| Released | 2022 | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Electrostatic | dynamic |
| Driver size | - | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | - | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-7kHz | 7 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Sound signature | Bright neutral | - |
| Impedance | - | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 103 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | 5.1 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.1 |
| Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Multipoint pairing | - | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 38 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 32 h |
| Full charge time | - | 120 min |
| Quick charge | - | 10 min = 2 h |
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| ANC type | - | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | - | Yes |
| Companion app | - | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | Yes |
| Wear detection | - | Yes |
| Controls | - | both |
| Voice assistant | - | voice assistant support |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 370 g | 360 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| Foldable | - | Yes |
| Detachable cable | - | Yes |
| USB-C | - | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 2 |
| Call noise reduction | - | digital echo & noise reduction |
What reviewers said
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
Philips Fidelio L3
The Philips Fidelio L3 are premium over-ear wireless headphones with hybrid active noise cancellation, offering a long 38-hour battery life (32 hours with ANC on) and support for high-quality LDAC and AAC codecs. They feature a comfortable, foldable design, multipoint Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity, and a companion app with a custom EQ, making them a versatile choice for both travel and daily use at a budget-friendly price.
- Pro:Excellent battery life, even with ANC enabled
- Pro:Supports LDAC for high-resolution audio streaming
- Pro:Comfortable and foldable design for portability
- Con:No water resistance rating, so not ideal for workouts
- Con:Heavier than some rivals at 360 grams
- Con:Only two microphones for calls, which may be average for voice quality
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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