Over-Ear
Nectar Hive
85Outstanding
$197
Full review dataNectar Hive vs Skullcandy Hesh® 540 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 Hesh® 540 ANC
72Good
$160
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 Hesh® 540 ANC
Sound7.5
Noise cancelling7.0
Battery9.0
Calls6.5
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | Nectar Hive | Skullcandy Hesh® 540 ANC |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $197 | $160 |
| HearWiki score | 85 / 100 · Outstanding | 72 / 100 · Good |
| Released | 2022 | 2024 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Electrostatic | Dynamic |
| Driver size | - | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | - | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-7kHz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Sound signature | Bright neutral | - |
| Impedance | - | 36 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 119.4 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | 5.x |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.3 |
| Codecs | - | SBC, AAC |
| Multipoint pairing | - | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 65 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 50 h |
| Full charge time | - | 60 min |
| Quick charge | - | 10 min = 2 h |
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | Yes |
| ANC type | - | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | - | Yes |
| Companion app | - | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | Yes |
| Wear detection | - | Yes |
| Controls | - | buttons |
| Voice assistant | - | yes |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 370 g | 248 g |
| USB-C | - | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 4 |
| Call noise reduction | - | Clear Voice Smart Mic |
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 Hesh® 540 ANC
The Skullcandy Hesh 540 ANC are over-ear wireless headphones offering adaptive noise cancellation, a long-lasting battery (up to 65 hours without ANC, 50 with it), and a lightweight foldable design. They deliver very good sound and effective noise reduction for the price, though they have some sonic quirks and limited codec support. With multipoint connectivity, wear detection, and a customizable EQ via the app, they pack a strong feature set for everyday use.
- Pro:Excellent battery life, even with ANC on
- Pro:Lightweight and foldable for portability
- Pro:Multipoint Bluetooth and wear detection included
- Con:Only supports SBC codec, no AAC or aptX
- Con:Noticeable sonic quirks in certain frequencies
- Con:Physical buttons may feel limited to some users
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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