Over-Ear
Nectar Hive
85Outstanding
$197
Full review dataNectar Hive vs Sony WH-XB900N: 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-XB900N
Sound6.5
Noise cancelling6.0
Battery8.5
Calls7.0
Value6.5
Specifications
| Spec | Nectar Hive | Sony WH-XB900N |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $197 | $199 |
| HearWiki score | 85 / 100 · Outstanding | 68 / 100 · Good |
| Released | 2022 | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Electrostatic | 1.57 in |
| Driver size | - | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | - | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-7kHz | - |
| Sound signature | Bright neutral | - |
| Impedance | - | 50 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 101 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | Version 4.2 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 4.2 |
| Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | - | No |
| Wireless range | - | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 35 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 30 h |
| Full charge time | - | 420 min |
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | Yes |
| Controls | - | buttons |
| Voice assistant | - | Alexa |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 370 g | 254 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| Detachable cable | - | Yes |
| USB-C | - | No |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 4 |
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-XB900N
The Sony WH-XB900N is a wireless over-ear headphone that prioritizes bass-heavy sound and long-lasting battery life over neutral tuning. It offers a comfortable fit, solid feature set including multipoint and LDAC support, but its noise cancellation is modest and charging is slow. It's a reasonable pick for bass lovers who value stamina, though not a class leader overall.
- Pro:Very long battery life
- Pro:Comfortable for extended listening
- Pro:Supports high-quality codecs like LDAC and aptX HD
- Con:Bass-heavy sound can become muddy or overpowering
- Con:Noise cancellation is weaker than many rivals
- Con:Recharging takes a very long time
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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