Hifiman HE6se Review (Headphone)

[staticV3]

The HE6SE (not the OG HE6) is specced at 50 ohms. Is it wrong?

Hifiman HE6se Review (Headphone)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Hifiman HE6se planar magnetic headphone. It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $1,800. I had previously reviewed the now discontinued Hifiman HE6 so great to see how the replacement performs. The HE6se distinguishes itself with new...

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[Robbo99999]

Always used them with oratory EQ, there's nothing really wrong with vocals but personally found them "softer" compared to some other headphones.

Yep, there's often subtle to not so subtle differences between headphones when EQ'd to the same curve: unit to unit variation and on head variation.

 

[watchnerd]

Yep, there's often subtle to not so subtle differences between headphones when EQ'd to the same curve: unit to unit variation and on head variation.

This is why I don't obsess about small differences in drivers / EQ curves too much.

Pinna differences alone can impact things.

 

[Robbo99999]

This is why I don't obsess about small differences in drivers / EQ curves too much.

Pinna differences alone can impact things.

I think so, but there's nothing wrong with trying to start off at the best possible "measured" point. So for instance if you're a fan of the Harman Curve then you'd try that as a starting point for EQ, even if it involves say 10 parametric filters (some of which may only have small effects), because it would still be your best starting point in that situation.

 

[svo360]

Do we know what amp and dac were used in the testing? Can seem to find and don't want to dig through 37 pages!

 

[solderdude]

To reach 114dB without clipping Amir would need >14V rms ( it was not clipping at 114dB SPL) = 3W in 64ohm

Topping A90 (see post below) can reach 16V in 64ohm.

 

[Roland68]

Do we know what amp and dac were used in the testing? Can seem to find and don't want to dig through 37 pages!

HPA was the Topping A90 (first version) and the RME ADI-2 DAC (second version).

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

Hadenys had no chance...

 

[watchnerd]

Hadenys had no chance...

View attachment 455373

I don’t understand

 

[Svperstar]

I was at a meetup over the weekend and I ran the HE6se off of my RME ADI-2 DAC FS set to high output mode.

One cool thing is people were listening to 2 different amps running off of the XLR output while I did this, the RME is great.

Anyway, the HE6-SE got plenty loud out of the RME ADI-2 headphone jack but was pretty much no headroom left.

I've moved over to estats left so still haven't got a crazy powerful "end game" amp for dynamic/planars, but the RME is impressive in its ability to drive a hard to drive headphone like the HE6-SE.

Still haven't had a chance to test the original 4/6 screw HE6. Someday hopefully.

 

[watchnerd]

I was at a meetup over the weekend and I ran the HE6se off of my RME ADI-2 DAC FS set to high output mode.

One cool thing is people were listening to 2 different amps running off of the XLR output while I did this, the RME is great.

Anyway, the HE6-SE got plenty loud out of the RME ADI-2 headphone jack but was pretty much no headroom left.

I've moved over to estats left so still haven't got a crazy powerful "end game" amp for dynamic/planars, but the RME is impressive in its ability to drive a hard to drive headphone like the HE6-SE.

Still haven't had a chance to test the original 4/6 screw HE6. Someday hopefully.

I've tried the same with my ADI-2 Pro. Same thing -- no headroom left.

Running out of the speaker jacks on my amp is still my best experience.

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

I don’t understand

I've made a comparison.
Technically the Focal was clearly the looser

 

[MRC01]

To reach 114dB without clipping Amir would need >14V rms ( it was not clipping at 114dB SPL) = 3W in 64ohm
Topping A90 (see post below) can reach 16V in 64ohm.

The Jotunheim's XLR headphone output should do the same (16 V into 64 ohms).

 

[watchnerd]

I've made a comparison.
Technically the Focal was clearly the looser

What are the technical results?

 

[rcstevensonaz]

I've tried the same with my ADI-2 Pro. Same thing -- no headroom left.

Running out of the speaker jacks on my amp is still my best experience.

Regarding ADI-2 Pro: I assume you were running in balanced headphone mode using the two 1/4" plugs on the front panel? And what was the input source — digital or analog input (and at what nominal voltage)?

Regarding speaker terminals: Do you have a recommended wiring configuration for connecting the HE6SE to speaker terminals? I have an old Emotiva mini-x a-100 that I've been tempted to use to test out that configuration.

 

[watchnerd]

Regarding ADI-2 Pro: I assume you were running in balanced headphone mode using the two 1/4" plugs on the front panel? And what was the input source — digital or analog input (and at what nominal voltage)?

Regarding speaker terminals: Do you have a recommended wiring configuration for connecting the HE6SE to speaker terminals? I have an old Emotiva mini-x a-100 that I've been tempted to use to test out that configuration.

Yes, two 1/4”.

Input was USB.

For speaker jack hookup I have a banana plug to XLR cable

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

What are the technical results?

I probably expressed myself poorly. I haven't conducted any measurements, so my statements are subjective. In my opinion the HifiMan sounds significantly more detailed, transparent, and powerful in the bass.

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

Finally enough power

 

[Roland68]

Finally enough power

View attachment 456145

My favorite combo, simply awesome for the price.

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

I have the impression that with the L70, the he6se can finally unleash its full bass potential. It's like a primal force...