Over-Ear
Nectar Hive
85Outstanding
$197
Full review dataNectar Hive vs Sony WH-XB910N: 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-XB910N
Sound7.0
Noise cancelling7.0
Battery8.0
Calls6.0
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Nectar Hive | Sony WH-XB910N |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $197 | $250 |
| HearWiki score | 85 / 100 · Outstanding | 72 / 100 · Good |
| Released | 2022 | 2021 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Electrostatic | 1.57 in |
| Driver size | - | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | - | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-7kHz | 7 Hz - 25,000 Hz |
| Sound signature | Bright neutral | - |
| Impedance | - | 48 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 96 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | 5.2 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.2 |
| Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | - | No |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 30 h |
| Full charge time | - | 210 min |
| Quick charge | - | 10 min = 4.5 h |
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| ANC type | - | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | - | Yes |
| Companion app | - | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | Yes |
| Wear detection | - | No |
| Controls | - | both |
| Voice assistant | - | Amazon Alexa / Google Assistant |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 370 g | 252 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| Foldable | - | Yes |
| Detachable cable | - | Yes |
| USB-C | - | 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-XB910N
The Sony WH-XB910N is a wireless over-ear headphone with adaptive noise cancellation and a bass-forward sound signature, delivering up to 30 hours of playback on a single charge. It supports high-quality LDAC streaming, Bluetooth multipoint for seamless device switching, and includes convenient features like wear detection and quick charging. While it lacks water resistance, its comfortable fit, foldable design, and customizable EQ make it a solid mid-range option for bass lovers.
- Pro:Powerful, punchy bass response
- Pro:Long 30-hour battery life with quick charge
- Pro:Adaptive noise cancellation and transparency mode
- Con:No water or sweat resistance
- Con:Average sound isolation for the price
- Con:Plastic build may feel less premium
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.