You nailed this review. I just got a pair of these from Hifiman online store (open box), for $609. They arrived in an unopened box, no complaints there. These cans are blowing my mind. I can hear absolutely EVERYTHING... in such a good way too. As long as you have a clean 1.5w these drive just fine, with 2w@32ohms I drive these at 85db with about 30% headroom on my TA-20. With my SMSL-SH9 even better. They play surprisingly well at very low volumes too. I want to try the Hifiman HE speaker output adaptor, but they are sold out everywhere. I also recently got the Arya SE, and they are similar in detail, timbre and imaging, but the Arya steals it for warmth and openness. This makes the Arya a little more on the "fun" side, but the HE6 are so intriguing I enjoy them just as much, just in a little bit of a different way. Their extreme accuracy makes them so very engaging. I tried the HE6se V2 with the grills off and IMO, it made them sound a little thin in the low end. I'm fine with that as now I don't have to be concerned about dust buildup on the drivers. Hey, I enjoy your reviews. Keep up the great work!
Great review! I recently got a new pair from Adorama for $550. I’m running them with a Pass Labs XA-30.8 with a Pass Labs XP-12 preamp on a Chord Qutest. At first I thought they were ok, but not as good as my Aryas. Then I did the grill mod and it really opened up! The bass became so much impactful and the staging got better. I know others have disagreed, but in my setup the grill mod made a huge difference. I won’t be doing any other mods. I was considering returning them because I was waiting on an Audeze LCD-5 to come off of back order. Well, I got the LCD-5s a couple of days ago. I’m running those on a McIntosh MHA200 with NOS Telefunkton (?) tubes. I’m definitely gonna keep the HE6SE V2s. The Audeze are more detailed and sound amazing, but the Hifiman have more impactful bass and seem smoother. The HE6s are a very enjoyable listen and have a place in my collection.
Best amp I had for them was my BasX A-100, which added more bass power than my A30 Pro(8W), but just wasn't enough. Will be trying them again with Burson 3XP.
Another great review. Also, I like that you talked about how we "adjust" when we hear different equipment. I feel as if too many reviewers think just about our ears and forget about our brains.
I think our brains adjusting is a very large part of it. It’s why lots of things sound off when you A/B. A lot of times when I first do that, I don’t like the new thing. I need to settle into the sound a bit.
I love this headphone. It’s my daily driver at this point. It’s got better impact and body than the Arya in my opinion… and this is off a 789! I believe you don’t NEED to pair with higher quality amps to enjoy all the sonic qualities you mentioned but you will be rewarded by doing so.
I assume you are using fully balanced? If possible could you try out how well it works with the RCA input? I'd love to know how they hold up with the reduced power.
I can confirm that you do not need a special/powerful stereo amp if you have a headphone amp like THX AAA 789 (ca. $200), Violectric V281, Pro-Ject Head Box DS2 B, Topping A90 or similar. There is no better/different sound if you run them on speaker outputs. I own all that equipment incl. HE6 ("4 screw version" from 2011) and HE6SEV2. It doesn't matter too if you run them balanced or non-balanced if your amp has enough power. Balanced adds +6 dB more gain. That's all. Btw. Arya sounds more relaxed and with smoother bass but not funny, engaging and sparkling in the highs than the HE6SEV2 (nothing modified at all).
I own these cans and agree with just about everything you said. I also got them for $600 and cannot think of any headphone I would prefer for anywhere near this price. Getting the most out of them is more equipment dependent than other cans. My prior setup was the Drop thx AAA 789 with the Drop Grace SDAC. This was not a good combo. I kept the amp, but replaced the DAC with the SMSL SU-9n and that made all the difference. I looked at the Singxer amp, but decided against it because it has half the power of my amp. Thinking of getting the Burson amp in the future.
I bought these, and after experimentation with cables concluded that supplied cable provides more wide bandwidth than other cables. People generally then hear the lifted high frequencies they are not accustomed to that shows up on the frequency response graph. Additionally, the supplied cable ELIMINATES the added mush and seems to be pleasing to reviewers. I hear the same cable comes with the expensive Susvara probably for these reasons. That's not saying other cables might be liked more.
Actually, I am going to agree with you on this. I have a Hart system that fits, but I actually thought they stock cable, as weird as it is, sounded better. (I totally admit that it could be in my head).
Hey Drew. I have the HE6SE v1 and love it! I mainly pair it with a Burson Soloist 3X Performance and a Jotunheim 2. I had a Singxer SA-1, but sold it to upgrade to the Burson. Def. worth it as the 3XP is AMAZING! Glad you dig the HE6SE v2!
I tried this headphone with open grill mod on Jot 2/bifrost 2. Returned it, bc it sounded muddy and muffled compared to the clearer tuning of my Sundara. Didn't feel like burning it in more. It probably sounds better on Class A but Lyr3 and Jot 2 are my most powerful amps.
I use the jot2 with the smsl su-9 and the dac adds that extra but if clarity that it was needing to fix it. I think the bifrost makes it sound too thick and muddy paired with the jot2
Now you've really got me fired up about this thing. It's supposed to arrive tomorrow, and first has to hold its own against the clear mg. Same FR, same volume
@@MrAyrit I'm happy to do that, but I have to tell you my back story. Already months ago I was the owner of the MG. At that time, the MG impressed me deeply. As a former assessor of the Utopia, I felt reminded of it in many ways. From memory, however, the bass of the MG, seemed more "potent" to me. When I then bought the Utopia for the second time, this was confirmed. Brought to the same FR, both headphones are extremely similar, but with the big advantage for the MG in terms of bass quality. However, boredom has struck, so I sold these headphones and replaced them with the LCD-5. This one, to be blunt, is stunning in many ways. Transparency, speed, resolution are at reference level. Still, you see the LCD-5 on sale very, very often. Why? For me, I have found the answer. One word: aggressiveness! The big Audeze, has in the mids / highs, a form of presentation that can be described as aggressive, and thus unpleasant, as well as exhausting. The whole thing is somehow subtle, and therefore I am convinced that many people who have a problem with the LCD 5, it can not even properly put into words, what it is actually, what they dislike. This basic character trait, can be influenced with the use of EQ, but not eliminated. Anyway, I was inspired by the test of the LCD-5 at bondeo, to subject both headphones to a direct comparison. Because there was actually claimed, the MG can qualitatively deliver what the LCD-5 can deliver. www.bonedo.de/artikel/audeze-lcd-5-test/ Since I always adjust my headphones according to the Harman curve (and then personalize), I have both headphones, on the tonality preferred by me, that is, on the same FR, and then brought to the same volume. Only in this way does the direct comparison of two headphones make sense to me. Because only in this way can you compare the technical capabilities. My impressions: In the direct comparison, the said aggressiveness of the LCD-5 quickly became audible. It is simply exhausting / unpleasant, as, for example, a guitar sounds at the beginning and end. The MG is different. This does not quite reach the resolution and transparency of the LCD-5, but has other qualities. To stay with the guitar: it simply sounds more authentic on the MG. Yes, for me that is a fact. The guitar sounds more authentic on the 1500€ headphones, than on the 5000€ headphones. As mentioned, both headphones same FR / volume. In direct comparison, I noticed that the LCD-5 has another weakness: vocals. Vocals have audibly more substance on the MG. Sound more present in a positive sense. This results in a more coherent overall picture. That was the biggest surprise for me. As for the bass, the LCD-5 has an absolutely fantastic bass. Precise, powerful, and almost with unlimited reserves. But even here, MG had advantages. The bass of the Focal clearly has more punch, and it actually sounds more precise. This makes a drum, for example, sound more realistic. The big disadvantage of the MG, however, is that there are tracks where clipping quickly sets in. But with the vast majority of tracks, you can also realize very high volumes. Ultimately, it is for me so that he offers me the MG a more authentic and "stressless" music experience. Therefore, the LCD-5 had to go... Therefore, the comparison of the he6se v2 vs. MG, will be particularly exciting for me
Great review!!! I am a newish subscriber and I also only buy used gear. I have a modded pair of HE6SE with the Audeze Carbon fiber headband and deconi hybrid elite pads and honeycomb grill. Sound is great. I drive mine with a modified Audio-Gd Master11 Singularity. If you are ever in the mood for a closed back with exceptional build and maybe slightly better technicalities with more forward mids and great staging & imaging for a closed back take a look at the Pioneer SE-monitor 5 headphones. If you can find them for a reasonable price they are amazing. They are my favorite headphones and my daily driver.
Hi, your video influenced me to buy the Singxer Sa1. It’s on the way. Now I’m stressing because later I find yours and many others passion for the Burnson Soloist. Grrr. Either way that Singxer is mine. Price being a factor. My question is, would you still pair it with the bifrost 2 or is there another Dac for $500 or so that would make my HE6SE v2 shine? Help! Please!
hey man! do you think a gryphon can drive those?? just until i get the money to buy a proper amp, i have a friend selling one of those, but i just have gryphon right now...
I’ve heard things like this, but have never experienced any qc with Hifiman stuff. I’ve got 5 of their headphones with me right now. I don’t think I’d worry about it too much.
Gah! Did anybody had a driver stop working on these? I was increasing the volume and heard a snapping sound then the left driver stopped working. I check the 2 wires inside but they're still connected to the jack.
Hey man.... I'm curious what you didn't like about the HE6SEv2 with the Jotunheim 2 amp? What DAC do you use with it? I was considering buying the HE6SEv2... but don't want to go nuts finding the right amp for good synergy with it
For me, I found the Jot 2 just a bit sharp, and the HE6 is a bit forward with some of that detail. I think that’s why I preferred it with the Singxer which has a softer presentation. If you’re happy with the Jot 2 with other things then I doubt you’ll have an issue with it and the HE6. I don’t seem to prefer the solid state stuff from Schitt.
@@MrAyrit Thanks. I think I'll give them a shot and try to EQ any sharpness out with the Lokius. I'll also try them on the Burson Soloist 3XP. Adorama has a good return policy if they are murdering my ears. Worth a shot at $549 new
I have a question and I can't find anything online. I own a zen dac ifi. Now I need more amp power for my he6se v2 and I bought a thx AAA 789 from drop. Could I use the zen DAC only as a DAC or preamp so that the thx gets the signal from the ifi? Do I need a special cable for that, does it work for both balanced and unbalanced? Last question, could I use ifis bass boost button? Thanks, your answers help a lot.
I’ve just got my Denon receiver right now, but I’m keeping an eye open for a good used 2 channel. Any recommendations under $300? I haven’t done a lot of research on speaker amps.
@@MrAyrit At $300 new, the new Emotiva A2M should drive these decently. I use the older A-100 and they're good pairing, I think the 6seV2 works best with warmer/non-bright amps. Enjoyable and fun listen though not as technical as my Soloist 3XP.
@@MrAyrit Agreed. Just got my set used. Just lay some ground rules. Smoke free home, truthful and clean. Works for me. Also, I sanitize prior to using anything used.
I’m currently debating this for myself. I’m leaning towards no. I’d say they both do the same things fairly well, which is micro detail and natural spatial presentation. I’ve got a couple of Focals on hand right now, and they contrast much more with the in-your-face macro detail.
@@MrAyrit I have a stellia and an hd660s. Blind bought the he6se open box from hifiman directly. Will it be a solid addition to the collection or nah? I had aryas but they were a touch too bright. Otherwise I loved them.
@@1ce2berg hard to say, because everyone has their own preferences, and you’ve already got a couple of really nice cans. I personally liked the he6 better than the Arya and the 660s. I think it has a bit more personality than both of them. What amp are you using?
@@MrAyrit I see. I am using a Flux FA-10, alternatively I can use an SPL Auditor. I am planning on buying the Bryston BHA-1 next month. But I think the flux has more than enough power for the hifiman, my dac on the other hand, might be the limiting factor. It's a RME ADI-2. By the way I had the Arya v2 and the he1000 v2 and the he were overall better but the Arya had better bass (which works better with my primary music genres). However, both were too bright for me so I went with a zmf aeolus but then sold it after a couple months as it lacked detail (ended up with the Stellia) but now I am missing the enormous soundstage and instrument seperation of the hifiman so got the he6. If it's still to bright then I may have to try the Audeze lcd-x
It would probably get loud enough and all that, but I can’t imagine it would be a great pairing. I haven’t ever been a huge fan of the THX stuff though.
I tried them with the sp200 and it sounded super dry and clinical and had no soul wouldn't recommend them it felt like it lacked life like it was almost able to push them but it clearly couldn't do it once I put it on a better amp.
@@MrAyrit I liked the bigger sound stage, better comfort(for bigger heads), stealth magnet, crispy details, and its very easy to drive. it's also only $500!
@@BenBen-ez6qo I got the Edition XS and I am pairing it with Topping A90 and Gustard A18. I am planning to get the HE6se next month. Edition xs is better than the he6se? You are making my plan halt for a while. 😊
Noooooo… naked, exposed! 😲 I don’t understand why people take the grills off when they sound great just as they came. 😅 I have a cat and dust and there’s NO WAY I would ever have naked headphones like that. 😂 From what I read on the forums, the difference is minimal sonically anyway so definitely NOT worth it for so little, which is why I’ve never taken them off. Also, they look cheap and DIY when you take them off like that.
