Over-Ear
Nectar Hive
85Outstanding
$197
Full review dataNectar Hive vs Skullcandy Aviator® 900 ANC: 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
Skullcandy Aviator® 900 ANC
78Great
$230
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
Skullcandy Aviator® 900 ANC
Sound7.5
Noise cancelling8.0
Battery9.5
Calls7.0
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | Nectar Hive | Skullcandy Aviator® 900 ANC |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $197 | $230 |
| HearWiki score | 85 / 100 · Outstanding | 78 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2022 | 2025 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Electrostatic | 40mm dynamic driver |
| Driver size | - | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | - | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-7kHz | 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz |
| Sound signature | Bright neutral | - |
| Impedance | - | 36 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 119.4 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | 5.x |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.3 |
| Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Multipoint pairing | - | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 60 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 50 h |
| Quick charge | - | 10 min = 4 h |
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | Yes |
| ANC type | - | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | - | Yes |
| Companion app | - | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | Yes |
| Wear detection | - | Yes |
| Controls | - | both |
| Voice assistant | - | Siri & Google Assistant |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 370 g | 332 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
Skullcandy Aviator® 900 ANC
The Skullcandy Aviator 900 ANC is a feature-packed over-ear wireless headphone that prioritizes convenience and longevity over audiophile-grade accuracy. With adaptive noise cancellation, a massive 60-hour battery (50 with ANC), fast charging, and multipoint Bluetooth, it's a solid daily driver for most listeners. However, its sound signature has noticeable quirks that may not appeal to purists, and the lack of an official IP rating is a minor letdown.
- Pro:Exceptional battery life with quick charge support
- Pro:Adaptive ANC with effective noise reduction
- Pro:Multipoint Bluetooth 5.x for seamless device switching
- Con:Sound tuning is unconventional and not neutral
- Con:No official IP rating despite sweat resistance claims
- Con:Only AAC codec support, no aptX or LDAC
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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