Over-Ear
Audio-Technica Awas
78Great
$1499
Full review dataAudio-Technica Awas vs ZMF Tessidera: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the ZMF Tessidera comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: ZMF Tessidera - Outstanding overall at around $2500.
Over-Ear
ZMF Tessidera
88Outstanding
$2500
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Audio-Technica Awas
Sound8.0
Value6.0
ZMF Tessidera
Sound9.2
Value7.5
Specifications
| Spec | Audio-Technica Awas | ZMF Tessidera |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $1499 | $2500 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2021 | 2026 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | Planar magnetic with 1-micron diaphragm |
| Driver size | 53 mm | 80 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 5Hz-42kHz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 40 Ω | 35 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 99 dB/mW | 92 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | No | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 395 g | 570 g |
| Detachable cable | Yes | - |
| Balanced connection | Yes | - |
What reviewers said
Audio-Technica Awas
The Audio-Technica ATH-AWAS is a premium closed-back headphone with a rich wooden build and a precise, detailed sound signature that prioritizes clarity over sheer fun. It’s easy to drive, comes with balanced and standard cables, and suits listeners who value refinement and acoustic accuracy, though its restrained bass and high price limit its appeal.
- Pro:Beautiful Japanese cherry wood construction
- Pro:Excellent detail and clarity across frequencies
- Pro:Easy to drive with any source
- Con:Very expensive for what it offers
- Con:Bass is lean and not very impactful
- Con:Sound can feel too serious or dry
ZMF Tessidera
The Tessidera is a premium open-back planar headphone that channels ZMF's signature warm, musical tuning into a planar driver format. It delivers a smooth, full-bodied sound with particularly rich vocals and natural timbre, all while being relatively easy to drive for a high-end model. The build is solid overall, though the stock grill finish shows minor cosmetic imperfections.
- Pro:Smooth, full-bodied tuning with rich vocals
- Pro:Excellent timbre and natural instrument reproduction
- Pro:Relatively easy to drive despite large 80mm drivers
- Con:Mid-forward balance can vary with amplifier pairing
- Con:Minor cosmetic roughness on the stock grill
- Con:Heavy at 570g, requiring a sturdy headphone stand
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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