Over-Ear
Nectar Hive
85Outstanding
$197
Full review dataNectar Hive vs Shure Srh440a: 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
Shure Srh440a
72Good
$99
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
Shure Srh440a
Sound7.0
Value7.5
Specifications
| Spec | Nectar Hive | Shure Srh440a |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $197 | $99 |
| HearWiki score | 85 / 100 · Outstanding | 72 / 100 · Good |
| Released | 2022 | 2022 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Electrostatic | dynamic |
| Driver size | - | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | - | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-7kHz | 10Hz-22kHz |
| Sound signature | Bright neutral | - |
| Impedance | - | 40 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 97 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | No |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 370 g | 268 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| Foldable | - | Yes |
| Detachable cable | - | Yes |
| USB-C | - | No |
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
Shure Srh440a
The Shure SRH440A is a refreshed wired studio headphone that pairs a 40mm dynamic driver with a 40-ohm impedance, making it easy to drive from phones, laptops, and audio interfaces. Its tuning emphasizes present mids and controlled bass, which suits dialogue-heavy content, vocal monitoring, and general mix work. Built as a practical, closed-back tool with passive isolation and a foldable frame, it offers a neutral, no-frills option for entry-level studio use.
- Pro:Easy to drive from most devices thanks to 40-ohm impedance
- Pro:Clear, present midrange ideal for vocals and speech
- Pro:Controlled low end suitable for monitoring
- Con:Lacks wireless or ANC features
- Con:No USB-C connectivity
- Con:Sensitivity is modest, so may need more volume on quiet sources
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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