Over-Ear
Sennheiser HD 820
82Great
$1949
Full review dataSennheiser HD 820 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.
Sennheiser HD 820
Sound9.0
Value5.0
ZMF Tessidera
Sound9.2
Value7.5
Specifications
| Spec | Sennheiser HD 820 | ZMF Tessidera |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $1949 | $2500 |
| HearWiki score | 82 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2018 | 2026 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | Planar magnetic with 1-micron diaphragm |
| Driver size | 56 mm | 80 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 6Hz-48kHz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 300 Ω | 35 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 103 dB/mW | 92 dB/mW |
| Sensitivity (dB/Vrms) | 103 | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | No | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 360 g | 570 g |
| Detachable cable | Yes | - |
| USB-C | No | - |
| Balanced connection | Yes | - |
What reviewers said
Sennheiser HD 820
The Sennheiser HD 820 is a premium closed-back flagship that uses a ring-radiator dynamic driver to deliver a wide, airy soundstage unusual for this design. It excels in detail retrieval, controlled bass, and solid build quality, but demands a high-quality amplifier and carries a steep price that may not justify itself for everyone.
- Pro:Wide, open-sounding stage for closed-back headphones
- Pro:Excellent detail and clarity across the frequency range
- Pro:Tight, well-controlled bass response
- Con:Very expensive for the performance offered
- Con:Requires a powerful dedicated amplifier to sound its best
- Con:Closed-back tuning may not match the openness of the HD 800 S
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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