Bow_Wazoo
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Yes, that's how I've always done it. Thanks again for the measurements.
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Hifiman HE6se Review (Headphone)
- Thread starter amirm
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Robbo99999
Master Contributor
Holy Shmoly, what you done to that grill! 
Do they keep rotating when you stop! 
Do they keep rotating when you stop!
Robbo99999
Master Contributor
Even when EQ'd though? Should be ok after EQ right?
How do you compare the he6se with the other Hifiman’s you owned?
I find the he1000 stealth superior in terms of imaging (when EQ’ed to same target)
Edition XS sounds bigger and ethreal, HE6se is more smooth and has weight to the sound but smaller scale.
Can't say one is better to another, comes to personal preference.
Bow_Wazoo
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Hifiman HE6se Review (Headphone)
My preset for the HE6SE Adjust band #2 for Bass #3 for punch #5 for mids # 9 for highs Connected to the Sabaj A30A What you get for 1200€ is unbeatable.
audiosciencereview.com
AryaStealth
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Bow_Wazoo, what's your favourite EQ settings for he6se v1 (and v2 if you still have it)?
Bow_Wazoo
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Here are the results of many, many hours testing and comparing. The preset is based on Crin's measurements.
In my opinion , the result is so good,
that it disillusions me. I would gladly spend €2,000 more, to be able to hear something even better. But I simply don't know of any headphones that would achieve that.
Yes, the Utopia 2022 is more transparent,
but it has one gigantic drawback that is an absolute dealbreaker: the mechanical clipping of the driver. It sets in very early, especially when set according to Hamann Target.
Absolutely unacceptably early.
The He6se, on the other hand, has what feels like unlimited dB reserves. These headphones have the best bass I've ever heard.
Above a certain volume, the slam is so powerful that I can physically feel it (in my neck and jaw).
In my opinion , the result is so good,
that it disillusions me. I would gladly spend €2,000 more, to be able to hear something even better. But I simply don't know of any headphones that would achieve that.
Yes, the Utopia 2022 is more transparent,
but it has one gigantic drawback that is an absolute dealbreaker: the mechanical clipping of the driver. It sets in very early, especially when set according to Hamann Target.
Absolutely unacceptably early.
The He6se, on the other hand, has what feels like unlimited dB reserves. These headphones have the best bass I've ever heard.
Above a certain volume, the slam is so powerful that I can physically feel it (in my neck and jaw).
watchnerd
Grand Contributor
I've been on a weird tube rolling experiment (the benefit of being newly retired) with Schiit Mjolnir 2 and the HE6SE over the last several weeks.
In theory, the MJ2 should have low enough output impedance (1 ohm in high gain, 0.3 ohm in low gain) and enough power (8W into 32 ohms, 5W into 50 ohms). And it can get plenty loud through the XLR output jacks.
But....
After weeks of messing around with the MJ2, I think I've decided that I actually prefer the HE6SE driven directly from the speaker-out jacks of my Luxman L-590AXII.
The Luxman is rated for 30W into 4 ohms / 60 W into 8 ohms, which roughly calculates into 4.8W into 50 ohms, so the power output should be similar to the MJ2. Nonetheless, the speaker-outs sound a bit better, so I don't know if the Luxman is able to push higher current and drive the cans a little better, or it's just got a big honking power supply that helps in some way.
Thoughts?
FWIW, I'm not using the HE6SE adapter box, just driving straight from a stereo banana -> 4 pin XLR adapter cable.
Do I even need a headphone amp?
In theory, the MJ2 should have low enough output impedance (1 ohm in high gain, 0.3 ohm in low gain) and enough power (8W into 32 ohms, 5W into 50 ohms). And it can get plenty loud through the XLR output jacks.
But....
After weeks of messing around with the MJ2, I think I've decided that I actually prefer the HE6SE driven directly from the speaker-out jacks of my Luxman L-590AXII.
The Luxman is rated for 30W into 4 ohms / 60 W into 8 ohms, which roughly calculates into 4.8W into 50 ohms, so the power output should be similar to the MJ2. Nonetheless, the speaker-outs sound a bit better, so I don't know if the Luxman is able to push higher current and drive the cans a little better, or it's just got a big honking power supply that helps in some way.
Thoughts?
FWIW, I'm not using the HE6SE adapter box, just driving straight from a stereo banana -> 4 pin XLR adapter cable.
Do I even need a headphone amp?
watchnerd
Grand Contributor
I have used the HE6SE with both a Schiit Mjolnir 2 and using the speaker outputs of a Luxman L-590AXII integrated amp (rated for 30W into 8 ohms).
On paper, the output is about the same for both into 50 ohms (5W for Schiit, 4.8W for Luxman).
Both can get plenty loud enough.
Nonetheless, I prefer the Luxman speaker outs a bit more.
The idea that that there is little to no volume control doesn't seem to be true in this case, as I have enough play in the volume pot to fine tune things.
watchnerd
Grand Contributor
I'm running the HE6SE without the adapter box, just raw speaker bananas to XLR, off a Class A integrated speaker amp.
(I already owned this amp to drive speakers, where I do most of my listening, so it's not like I special purpose purchased it)
So far, works well.
Curupira
Addicted to Fun and Learning
With Class A and a well design circuit, it should work well. Just make sure you have a proper pre-amplifier before the amplifier.
I usually dissuaded people from using the 6SE with "too good to be true" solutions like the cheap Ayima 07 amps, or their equivalents from Fosi and the competition, because their class D load dependency on 60 ohm (7.5x their projected coupling impedance) meant a substantial change in tuning, making the headphones audibly brighter. I also didn't trust their output protection, although I have used a Fosi myself for some time.
People sometimes went even crazier, getting professional Crown rack amplifiers to drive the 6SE or the HE6 OGs, only to limit them afterwards by using preamplifiers set to 10-20% on the dial. That they weren't bothered by the abysmal distortion levels, specially when giving them a such undersaturated signal, is a telltale sign that audiophiles hear what they want to hear, and are mostly oblivious to things that really make a tangible difference.
watchnerd
Grand Contributor
It's an integrated amp.
Luxman L-590AXII.
Its main duty is driving speakers, so I didn't purchase it just for the sake of powering the HE6SE.
Curupira
Addicted to Fun and Learning
By its specs and Ohms law (P=U²/R), it produces 15.5 volts, which is roughly 4W at the HE6s 60ohm impedance. Plenty enough for them, even with EQ. Also, by its distortion specs it spouts 86db SINAD, which is very respectful.It's an integrated amp.
Luxman L-590AXII.
Its main duty is driving speakers, so I didn't purchase it just for the sake of powering the HE6SE.
It also looks gorgeous and has tone controls and V.Us, enjoy
Always used them with oratory EQ, there's nothing really wrong with vocals but personally found them "softer" compared to some other headphones.
watchnerd
Grand Contributor
By its specs and Ohms law (P=U²/R), it produces 15.5 volts, which is roughly 4W at the HE6s 60ohm impedance. Plenty enough for them, even with EQ. Also, by its distortion specs it spouts 86db SINAD, which is very respectful.
It also looks gorgeous and has tone controls and V.Us, enjoy
Thanks!
I got 4.8W into 50 ohms running calculations.
The HE6SE (not the OG HE6) is specced at 50 ohms. Is it wrong?
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Looks like you need DX9
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