Over-Ear
Nectar Hive
85Outstanding
$197
Full review dataNectar Hive vs Sony WH-H910N: 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-H910N
Sound7.0
Noise cancelling6.5
Battery8.0
Value7.5
Specifications
| Spec | Nectar Hive | Sony WH-H910N |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $197 | $130 |
| HearWiki score | 85 / 100 · Outstanding | 68 / 100 · Good |
| Released | 2022 | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Electrostatic | dynamic |
| Driver size | - | 25 mm |
| Drivers per side | - | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-7kHz | 5-40000 Hz |
| Sound signature | Bright neutral | - |
| Impedance | - | 17 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 100 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | 5.0 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.0 |
| Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | - | No |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 45 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 35 h |
| Battery incl. case | - | 35 h |
| Full charge time | - | 300 min |
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| ANC type | - | adaptive |
| Companion app | - | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | Yes |
| Wear detection | - | Yes |
| Controls | - | touch |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 370 g | 251 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| USB-C | - | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 2 |
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-H910N
The Sony WH-H910N is a wireless over-ear headphone with active noise cancellation, delivering around 35 hours of playback on a single charge and supporting high-resolution audio via LDAC and AAC codecs. It features Bluetooth 5.0 with multipoint connectivity, touch controls, and a companion app with a custom equalizer, making it a versatile option for everyday listening at a mid-range price point. Its lightweight build and wear detection add to its convenience, though it lacks water resistance and has a relatively long charging time.
- Pro:Long 35-hour battery life with ANC on
- Pro:Supports high-quality LDAC and AAC codecs
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for extended wear
- Con:No water or sweat resistance
- Con:Charging takes a lengthy 5 hours
- Con:Impedance and sensitivity may not suit high-end audiophile gear
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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