Over-Ear
Nectar Hive
85Outstanding
$197
Full review dataNectar Hive vs Soundcore Space Q45: 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
Soundcore Space Q45
78Great
$129
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
Soundcore Space Q45
Sound7.5
Noise cancelling8.0
Battery9.0
Calls6.5
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | Nectar Hive | Soundcore Space Q45 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $197 | $129 |
| HearWiki score | 85 / 100 · Outstanding | 78 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2022 | 2022 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Electrostatic | 40 mm dynamic driver |
| Driver size | - | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | - | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-7kHz | 20Hz-40kHz |
| Sound signature | Bright neutral | - |
| Impedance | - | 16 Ω |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.3 |
| Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | - | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 65 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 50 h |
| Full charge time | - | 120 min |
| Quick charge | - | 5 min = 4 hrs |
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | Yes |
| ANC type | - | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | - | Yes |
| Companion app | - | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | Yes |
| Wear detection | - | No |
| Controls | - | buttons |
| Voice assistant | - | Siri |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 370 g | 292 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
Soundcore Space Q45
The Soundcore Space Q45 is a budget-friendly over-ear headphone that delivers solid active noise cancellation and impressive battery endurance, comfortably exceeding a full day of use. It pairs easily with multiple devices, supports high-quality LDAC audio, and offers a comfortable, premium-looking build for the price. While it's a strong all-rounder for commuting and office use, its over-ear fit may not be secure enough for rigorous physical activity.
- Pro:Excellent battery life, outlasting its advertised rating
- Pro:Effective adaptive noise cancellation for the price
- Pro:Multipoint Bluetooth and LDAC support for versatile listening
- Con:Over-ear design can shift or fall off during exercise
- Con:Upgrades over previous models may not justify the price jump for some
- Con:Controls are button-based rather than touch-sensitive
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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