Over-Ear
Nectar Hive
85Outstanding
$197
Full review dataNectar Hive vs Philips Fidelio L4: 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
Philips Fidelio L4
72Good
$349
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Nectar Hive
Sound9.0
Value7.0
Philips Fidelio L4
Sound8.0
Noise cancelling7.0
Battery9.0
Calls7.0
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Nectar Hive | Philips Fidelio L4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $197 | $349 |
| HearWiki score | 85 / 100 · Outstanding | 72 / 100 · Good |
| Released | 2022 | 2023 |
| 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 | - | 99 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.3 |
| Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Multipoint pairing | - | Yes |
| Wireless range | - | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 50 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 40 h |
| Full charge time | - | 120 min |
| Quick charge | - | 15 min = 14 h |
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | Yes |
| ANC type | - | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | - | Yes |
| Companion app | - | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | Yes |
| Wear detection | - | Yes |
| Controls | - | both |
| Voice assistant | - | Google Assistant, Siri |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 370 g | 330 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| USB-C | - | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 6 |
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 L4
The Philips Fidelio L4 is a wireless over-ear headphone that combines adaptive noise cancellation with a long-lasting battery, supporting high-quality LDAC streaming. It delivers a comfortable fit and well-balanced sound, though its performance is strong rather than class-leading. While it offers many modern conveniences like multipoint pairing and a customizable EQ, it falls short in a few areas, such as lacking aptX support and having some software quirks.
- Pro:Excellent battery life of up to 50 hours without ANC
- Pro:Supports high-resolution LDAC codec for detailed wireless audio
- Pro:Comfortable and lightweight design for extended listening
- Con:No aptX codec support, limiting compatibility with some devices
- Con:Software bugs can occasionally affect the user experience
- Con:Design is functional but not visually striking
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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