Over-Ear
Dan Clark Audio Ether C Flow
84Great
$1799
Full review dataDan Clark Audio Ether C Flow 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.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Dan Clark Audio Ether C Flow
Sound8.5
Value7.0
ZMF Tessidera
Sound9.2
Value7.5
Specifications
| Spec | Dan Clark Audio Ether C Flow | ZMF Tessidera |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $1799 | $2500 |
| HearWiki score | 84 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2016 | 2026 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | single-ended planar magnetic | Planar magnetic with 1-micron diaphragm |
| Driver size | 71 mm | 80 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 23 Ω | 35 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 92 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | No | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 390 g | 570 g |
| Detachable cable | Yes | - |
What reviewers said
Dan Clark Audio Ether C Flow
The Dan Clark Audio Ether C Flow is a premium closed-back planar headphone that refines the original Ether C formula with added immediacy and musicality while retaining a neutral, detailed character. It offers excellent build quality, comfort, and a balanced sound that works well across genres, though it stops short of being class-leading in raw dynamics or bass impact. For listeners seeking a high-resolution, closed-back option with controlled bass and impressive speed, this is a compelling choice despite its premium price.
- Pro:Refined, engaging sound with good detail retrieval
- Pro:Excellent build quality and comfortable fit
- Pro:Neutral-to-slightly-U-shaped tonal balance suits many genres
- Con:Dynamics and imaging are good but not exceptional
- Con:Bass could use more punch and speed
- Con:No active noise cancellation at a high price point
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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