HiFiMAN HE 600 vs ZMF Tessidera: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the ZMF Tessidera comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 82. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: ZMF Tessidera - Great overall at around $2200.

Over-Ear

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

ZMF Tessidera leads on 2 of 4 measures.

HiFiMAN HE 600
ZMF Tessidera

HearWiki score

Sound

8.0

9.2

Value

7.5

Price (USD)

$800

$2,200

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

Same generation

ZMF Tessidera (2026) against HiFiMAN HE 600 (2025). These are the same generation of hardware - nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price.

HE 6002025
Tessidera20261 yr newer

Specifications

HE 600Tessidera

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $800; $2,200
HearWiki score: 74; 82
Released: 2025; 2026
Availability: Sold new; Sold new
Driver: 100 mm planar magnetic; 80 mm planar magnetic
Driver type: planar; planar
Driver size: 100 mm; 80 mm
Drivers per side: 1; -
Frequency response: 8 Hz - 65 kHz; 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Sound signature: neutral; -
Impedance: 28 Ω; 35 Ω
Sensitivity: 94 dB/mW; 92 dB/mW
Active noise cancelling: No; No
Weight: 389 g; 570 g
Detachable cable: Yes; -
USB-C: No; -
Pad material: -; leatherette
Connector: 3.5 mm; -
Balanced connection: Yes; -

Specification comparison of HiFiMAN HE 600 vs ZMF Tessidera
Spec	HiFiMAN HE 600	ZMF Tessidera
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$800	$2,200
HearWiki score	74 / 100 Good	82 / 100 Great
Released	2025	2026
Audio
Driver	100 mm planar magnetic	80 mm planar magnetic
Driver type	planar	planar
Driver size	100 mm	80 mm
Drivers per side	1	-
Frequency response	8 Hz - 65 kHz	20 Hz - 20 kHz
Sound signature	neutral	-
Impedance	28 Ω	35 Ω
Sensitivity	94 dB/mW	92 dB/mW
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	No
Design
Weight	389 g	570 g
Detachable cable	Yes	-
USB-C	No	-
Pad material	-	leatherette
Connector	3.5 mm	-
Balanced connection	Yes	-

What reviewers said

HiFiMAN HE 600

The HiFiMAN HE600 is an open-back planar headphone that modernizes the classic HE6 concept with a lighter build and easier amplification needs, while retaining a clean, detailed, and balanced sonic character. It offers strong technical performance for its price, though its tight clamping force and slight shortfall in sheer tactility compared to its predecessor are notable trade-offs.

Pro:Clean, well-extended bass with good detail
Pro:Natural and articulate mids with smooth treble
Pro:More practical to drive than the original HE6

Con:Strong clamping force reduces comfort
Con:Not a full upgrade over the HE6 in depth and tactility
Con:Still requires decent amplification to shine

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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New comparison HiFiMAN HE 600 ZMF Tessidera