Over-Ear
Nectar Hive
85Outstanding
$197
Full review dataNectar Hive vs Shure Srh840a: 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 Srh840a
78Great
$169
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 Srh840a
Sound8.0
Value7.5
Specifications
| Spec | Nectar Hive | Shure Srh840a |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $197 | $169 |
| HearWiki score | 85 / 100 · Outstanding | 78 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2022 | 2022 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Electrostatic | dynamic |
| Driver size | - | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | - | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-7kHz | 5Hz-25kHz |
| Sound signature | Bright neutral | - |
| Impedance | - | 40 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 97 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | No |
| Controls | - | buttons |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 370 g | 273 g |
| 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 Srh840a
This wired over-ear headphone offers a balanced, monitoring-focused sound with a slight bass lift and a subtle upper-mid dip, making it a reliable choice for studio tracking and casual listening. It features a lower impedance for easier use with various devices, a detachable cable, and a foldable design for portability, all wrapped in a practical, professional-looking build. Overall, it's a solid, no-frills performer that improves on its predecessor with better efficiency and usability.
- Pro:Clear, flat midrange ideal for monitoring
- Pro:Lower impedance works well with portable gear
- Pro:Detachable cable and foldable design add convenience
- Con:Slight bass emphasis may not suit purists
- Con:Upper midrange dip can affect vocal presence
- Con:No wireless or noise-canceling features
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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