Short answer: the Koss ESP95X. It ranks #230 of 481 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $799.99; the Meze Strada ranks #271, rated 3.4/5, at $799. Close enough in price that the sound-quality gap is the deciding factor.
The case for the Koss ESP95X: Measured response gives it a solid Harman preference score of 72 with a 3.06 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.7 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. Watch for: Presence sits about 3.9 dB low with a 12.2 dB dip near 9.6 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite.
The case for the Meze Strada: Bass and sub-bass sit within about 1 dB of target, giving an accurate, well-extended low end, and the midrange from 200 Hz to 6 kHz stays within about 1.5 dB, so vocals and instruments sound natural. The catch: A 9.9 dB dip near 6.8 kHz and a 6 to 10 kHz region about 6.8 dB below target soften cymbal attack and blunt treble detail, while the air band above 10 kHz runs about 3.4 dB high, an uneven combination.
Buy the Koss ESP95X. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $0.99 saving on the Meze Strada is not enough to make up the difference.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Measured response gives it a solid Harman preference score of 72 with a 3.06 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.7 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural.
Amazon $799.99 eBay
Bass and sub-bass sit within about 1 dB of target, giving an accurate, well-extended low end, and the midrange from 200 Hz to 6 kHz stays within about 1.5 dB, so vocals and instruments sound natural.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Koss ESP95X | Meze Strada | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799.99 | $799.00 |
| Ranked | #230 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones | #271 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Back | Open | Closed |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Electrostatic | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 100,000 ohms | 40 ohms |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 35kHz | 5Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (353g) | 0.7 lbs (330 g) |
| Harman Preference Score | 72 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 69 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.06 dB standard deviation | 2.49 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.26 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.88 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 67 Hz (-7.6 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Sensitivity | - | 111 dB SPL/mW |
Frequency Response Compared
Both headphones’ measurements overlaid on the Harman target. Above the target sounds louder in that range, below it quieter. Each curve is the median of several independent measurements, shifted so its 500 Hz to 2 kHz average sits at 0 dB, so only the tuning is compared.
Measurement data: the Koss ESP95X from capraaudio, sai, superreview and therollo9; the Meze Strada from aden, audioamigo, daemonxar, gadgetrytech and kuulokenurkka, all via squig.link.
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