Over-Ear
Nectar Hive
85Outstanding
$197
Full review dataNectar Hive vs Sony WH-CH720N: 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.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Nectar Hive
Sound9.0
Value7.0
Sony WH-CH720N
Sound7.0
Noise cancelling6.5
Battery9.0
Calls6.0
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | Nectar Hive | Sony WH-CH720N |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $197 | $180 |
| HearWiki score | 85 / 100 · Outstanding | 72 / 100 · Good |
| Released | 2022 | 2023 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Electrostatic | Dynamic, 1.18" |
| Driver size | - | 30 mm |
| Drivers per side | - | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-7kHz | 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz |
| Sound signature | Bright neutral | - |
| Impedance | - | 31 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 99 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | 5.2 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.2 |
| Codecs | - | SBC, AAC |
| Multipoint pairing | - | Yes |
| Wireless range | - | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 35 h |
| Full charge time | - | 210 min |
| Quick charge | - | 3 minutes = 1 hour; 10 minutes = 4.5 hours |
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| ANC type | - | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | - | Yes |
| Companion app | - | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | Yes |
| Wear detection | - | No |
| Controls | - | buttons |
| Voice assistant | - | Yes |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 370 g | 192 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| Detachable cable | - | Yes |
| USB-C | - | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 1 |
| Call noise reduction | - | 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
Sony WH-CH720N
The Sony WH-CH720N is a lightweight over-ear wireless headphone that balances solid noise cancellation with impressive battery endurance, offering up to 50 hours without ANC and 35 with it active. It supports high-quality LDAC streaming alongside AAC, and includes adaptive ANC, transparency mode, and quick charging for convenient everyday use. The 30mm dynamic drivers deliver a clear, balanced sound profile, though the plastic build and basic button controls feel less premium than pricier models.
- Pro:Excellent battery life, especially with ANC off
- Pro:Very lightweight and comfortable for long sessions
- Pro:Adaptive noise cancellation and transparency mode work well
- Con:Plastic construction feels a bit cheap
- Con:No water resistance rating for wet conditions
- Con:Single mic may struggle in noisy calls
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.