Over-Ear
Nectar Hive
85Outstanding
$197
Full review dataNectar Hive vs Sennheiser HD 450BT: 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
Sennheiser HD 450BT
76Great
$119
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
Sennheiser HD 450BT
Sound7.5
Noise cancelling6.5
Battery9.0
Calls5.0
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | Nectar Hive | Sennheiser HD 450BT |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $197 | $119 |
| HearWiki score | 85 / 100 · Outstanding | 76 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2022 | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Electrostatic | dynamic |
| Driver size | - | 32 mm |
| Drivers per side | - | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-7kHz | 18Hz-22kHz |
| Sound signature | Bright neutral | - |
| Impedance | - | 18 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 108 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | 5.0 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.0 |
| Codecs | - | aptX, aptX Low Latency, AAC, SBC |
| Multipoint pairing | - | No |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 30 h |
| Full charge time | - | 120 min |
| Quick charge | - | USB-C fast charging |
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | Yes |
| ANC type | - | feedforward |
| Transparency mode | - | No |
| Companion app | - | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | Yes |
| Wear detection | - | No |
| Controls | - | buttons |
| Voice assistant | - | voice assistant button |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 370 g | 238 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| USB-C | - | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 2 |
| Call noise reduction | - | dual beamforming microphones |
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
Sennheiser HD 450BT
The Sennheiser HD 450BT are solid wireless over-ears that deliver reliable sound and effective noise cancellation at a budget-friendly price. They shine with their long battery life, quick USB-C charging, and foldable design, though comfort can be hit-or-miss for larger ears and the build feels somewhat plasticky. Overall, they're a competent, value-focused pick rather than a standout performer in the crowded mid-range market.
- Pro:Strong 30-hour battery life with fast USB-C charging
- Pro:Effective noise cancellation for the price
- Pro:Balanced, neutral sound signature
- Con:Ear cups run small, which may hurt comfort
- Con:Build quality feels a bit flimsy
- Con:Call quality is mediocre
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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