Over-Ear
Grado Signature HP100 SE
84Great
$2495
Full review dataGrado Signature HP100 SE 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.
Grado Signature HP100 SE
Sound9.0
Value6.5
ZMF Tessidera
Sound9.2
Value7.5
Specifications
| Spec | Grado Signature HP100 SE | ZMF Tessidera |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $2495 | $2500 |
| HearWiki score | 84 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2024 | 2026 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Dynamic | Planar magnetic with 1-micron diaphragm |
| Driver size | 52 mm | 80 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 3.5Hz-51.5kHz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 38 Ω | 35 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 117 dB/mW | 92 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | No | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 400 g | 570 g |
| Detachable cable | Yes | - |
| USB-C | No | - |
What reviewers said
Grado Signature HP100 SE
The Grado Signature HP100 SE is a premium open-back headphone that blends the brand's classic energetic character with modern refinements, featuring a new 52mm driver and detachable cables. It delivers a spacious, detailed, and balanced sound that is easy to drive, making it a strong choice for audiophiles with quality sources. While its build and comfort have improved, its high price and somewhat loose fit may not suit everyone.
- Pro:Easy to drive despite high sensitivity
- Pro:Spacious and natural soundstage
- Pro:Detailed and balanced tonal presentation
- Con:Premium price tag limits accessibility
- Con:Loose clamp may not fit all head shapes
- Con:Bulky physical footprint
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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