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Is the Focal Clear worth the upgrade from the Nectar Hive?

You haveNectar Hive$70070
+18.0HearWiki points
You're eyeingFocal Clear$1,50088

Verdict

Clear upgrade

Going from the Nectar Hive to the Focal Clear buys you 18.0 points of HearWiki score - a clear step up that reviewers agree on rather than a marketing refresh. None of the shared sub-scores move by more than half a point, so the two behave very similarly on the things reviewers measure. Worth checking: weight goes 370 g to 450 g. That costs $800 more, or about $44 per point of score - steep unless the specific gains above are ones you care about. If your current pair is worn out or the gains line up with how you listen, this one is worth the money.

+$800
Price difference
+18.0
Score change
$44
Cost per point

What actually changes

Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.

  • Sound9.09.0
  • Value7.07.0

Spec differences

Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.

Spec differences between the Nectar Hive and the Focal Clear
SpecHiveClearDirection
Weight370 g450 g
DriverElectrostaticdynamic
Frequency response20 Hz - 7 kHz5 Hz - 28 kHz
Full side-by-side comparisonWhat beats the Clear?Check another pair

About this verdict

Direction matters here: this page answers "Hive to Clear". The other direction is a separate question with a different answer. Scores blend published review verdicts across over-ear and shift as new reviews land, so a marginal call today may not be one next quarter.