Over-Ear
Grado Signature S950
78Great
$1976
Full review dataGrado Signature S950 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 S950
Sound8.0
Value6.5
ZMF Tessidera
Sound9.2
Value7.5
Specifications
| Spec | Grado Signature S950 | ZMF Tessidera |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $1976 | $2500 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2025 | 2026 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | Planar magnetic with 1-micron diaphragm |
| Driver size | 52 mm | 80 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 3.5 Hz – 51.5 kHz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 38 Ω | 35 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 117 dB/mW | 92 dB/mW |
| Features | ||
| Controls | buttons | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 395 g | 570 g |
| Detachable cable | Yes | - |
| USB-C | No | - |
What reviewers said
Grado Signature S950
The Grado Signature S950 is a high-end open-back headphone that leans towards a neutral, analytical sound with impressive detail retrieval and a wide, immersive soundstage. It offers strong imaging and transient response, and its high sensitivity makes it easy to drive from portable devices, though its treble can be sharp and bass weight is limited. The detachable cable and comfortable fit are practical perks, but long listening sessions may be affected by the bright tuning.
- Pro:Excellent detail retrieval and clarity
- Pro:Wide, spacious soundstage with strong imaging
- Pro:Easy to drive from portable sources due to high sensitivity
- Con:Treble can be sharp and fatiguing over time
- Con:Bass is not particularly deep or weighty
- Con:Midrange may sound recessed to some listeners
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.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.