Over-Ear
Nectar Hive
70Good
$700
Full review dataNectar Hive vs Sennheiser HD 800s: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sennheiser HD 800s comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Sennheiser HD 800s - Outstanding overall at around $1874.
Over-Ear
Sennheiser HD 800s
88Outstanding
$1,870
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 800s
Sound9.5
Value6.5
Specifications
| Spec | Nectar Hive | Sennheiser HD 800s |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $700 | $1,870 |
| HearWiki score | 70 / 100 · Good | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2022 | 2016 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Electrostatic | dynamic |
| Driver size | - | 56 mm |
| Drivers per side | - | 1 |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 7 kHz | 4 Hz - 51 kHz |
| Sound signature | Bright neutral | - |
| Impedance | - | 300 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 101.64 dB/mW |
| Sensitivity (dB/Vrms) | - | 102 |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | No |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 370 g | 330 g |
| USB-C | - | No |
| Balanced connection | - | Yes |
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 800s
The Sennheiser HD 800 S is a premium open-back headphone aimed at audiophiles, delivering a remarkably wide soundstage and a neutral, reference-style tuning that excels at detail retrieval. Its high impedance and sensitivity mean it truly shines with a quality dedicated amplifier, while the included balanced cable adds flexibility for high-end setups. However, its open design leaks sound significantly, and its pricing and lack of bass punch make it a niche choice for serious listeners rather than casual users.
- Pro:Exceptional soundstage width and imaging
- Pro:Detailed, neutral, and articulate sound signature
- Pro:Very comfortable for long listening sessions
- Con:Requires a powerful amplifier to perform at its best
- Con:Open-back design leaks sound and offers no isolation
- Con:Expensive for what it offers
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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