Hifiman HE6se Review (Headphone)

[solderdude]

but a better amp will make the headphone sound better

What constitutes a 'better amp' and how can an amp make headphones 'sound better' and most importantly how was this determined ?

 

[shinbojan]

What constitutes a 'better amp' and how can an amp make headphones 'sound better' and most importantly how was this determined ?

Not interested in having that discussion. We can just disagree and save ourselves a lot of time.

This is how stuck magnets look. You can easily remove the grills (and put them back) and check under the light.
Also try using them without grills, that will affect the sound as well.

 

[thecoolerplayer]

Thank you all for your replies and for helping out a newcomer; I really appreciate it!

You do need a lot more power if you plan to use PEQ.
I like the stock sound of v2, I love it with PEQ.

Can you share your PEQ settings? Apologies if you've already done so, in which case a link would suffice

With +6db Gain on all frequencies ( which doubles the voltage swing) it becomes 4.2V. Your +6db is bass boost so it definitely won't go beyond 4.2V

I see, that is good to know.
Some more info about the PEQ settings: I was simply using the crinacle profile provided by autoeq (which has a +6dB by default I believe) whose values I added to Hiby music player's PEQ and saved as a profile. Attached is the profile used (I did not change any of the advanced settings). I tried out various profiles, including those posted on various forums and messing with the bass boost to 4.5dB and 2dB, but I liked the stock Crinacle profile the best

G5 will not clip at all even at 6V. There's no possibility it cannot deliver enough power at 4.2V.

No.

Got it, thanks for confirming!

I am not able to answer that question. To me there's enough bass even if I don't boost it at all, and the bass is ultra clear. The drum sound has very clear impulse and starts/stops right at the point. My Sennheiser is not able to do that. and that's the happiest experience I have with this headphone.

I don't even need to use an external amplifier to achieve that. My MacBook Pro can already drive that to very loud levels, though not painful level, when I max the system volume. Your G5 is much powerful than my MacBook Pro. (MacBook Pro max at 1Vrms. With a fake 300Ohm resistor we can make it achieve 1.6Vrms without clipping)

And I'm assuming the sound quality from the MBP and other sources, given the same volume level, is identical? I had the same experience with my earlier setup consisting of the HE400i with the Sonata HD Pro and a xDuoo MT-602. At the same volume level, I was unable to distinguish between the sound coming through purely the dongle compared to the dongle + amp.
I also tested the Apple dongle and the Sonata, and again, at the same volume level, there was no difference. So, I am inclined to agree that the source is not the issue after all.

Did you apply an appropriate preamp in HiBy?

Without that, you'll just run into digital clipping so your boost won't do anything.

I did apply the correct preamp levels.

This is how stuck magnets look. You can easily remove the grills (and put them back) and check under the light.
Also try using them without grills, that will affect the sound as well.

No, the magnets are not stuck. That was the first thing I checked after getting them actually. And I got a used pair which came with the grill mod already applied (with stock cushions).

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After mulling over things, changing more settings and most importantly, listening more, I think the issue was simply my expectations.

I still remember the first time I heard my music through proper headphones (Hifiman HE400i) back in 2020 and I was simply blown away. Coming from cheap $30 headphones and some 1More TWS buds, this was revolutionary and made me want to hear all my music again - it felt so, so good hearing everything in HD! I was able to pick out new details and everything felt so high quality, like going from 240p to FHD.

The upgrade to the Maxwell was much less noticeable. While it was all round better, it didn't have anywhere near the same wow factor as the previous upgrade. I would say it was akin to going from 24" FHD monitor to a 1440p 27" one - while clearly better and more pixel dense, not a night and day difference. I was hoping that the HE6SE would be something like going from a 27" 1440p monitor to a 27" 4k one, and recreate at least some of the experience of the joy and wonder I felt when upgrading to FHD (sorry for the analogy but I hope it makes sense). Instead, I think this was more like going to a 40" 4K display from the 27" 1440p quality of the Maxwell - clearly better yes, but just not as much as I was hoping it would be. Yes, I can hear significantly more details but it definitely did not blow my mind as much as I wanted it to ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ; or maybe I will appreciate the qualities of this set more as my brain adjusts to it over time. I know it was the same with the HE400i when I put them on for the very first time and thinking "huh this isn't too different compared to other stuff," till I went back to my cheap headphones.

Of course, these are way better in terms of imaging and soundstage than the Audeze Maxwell, and so is the bass clarity and overall details. I guess I was just looking for an upgrade which would blow me away like earlier, which I suppose is simply not possible unless I spend thousands more, which I cannot do at the moment. Maybe some day

And lastly, if the Topping G5 is powering this correctly and to its full potential (which it most certainly is), I think I am happy with the sound (especially after going back and forth with my Truthear Hexa). While I will still be on the lookout to be able to try out an amp, I think I am good for now. I actually enjoy using the Topping G5 as a Bluetooth device (with 909/990kbps LDAC) more than I expected since I cannot detect a difference in quality. My only wish is for it to have on-device PEQ and playback+volume controls, but neither is too big a deal as I usually listen to around the house with my phone or at the workstation.

Once again, thank you all so much for reading and taking your time to reply. If I find out anything else or discover something new, I will be sure to report back. Until then, I'm gonna enjoy listening to music and picking out new details!

 

[solderdude]

Not interested in having that discussion. We can just disagree and save ourselves a lot of time.

O.K. so its just your opinion ... that's fine.

 

[oleg87]

Insufficient power does not cause quiet bass (assuming enough gain/voltage to reach the overall volume you want); it causes distorted bass.

 

[shinbojan]

Can you share your PEQ settings? Apologies if you've already done so, in which case a link would suffice

There’s an Amir PEQ on the first page.
I’m using the adjusted Oratory settings https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7zln....pdf?rlkey=6bd0gkvxjuokd9sgr46eh3sfy&e=1&dl=0. (The +6 dB at 1900 Hz was too much for me, so I lowered it to +3 dB.)

 

[zonk]

There’s an Amir PEQ on the first page.
I’m using the adjusted Oratory settings https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7zln....pdf?rlkey=6bd0gkvxjuokd9sgr46eh3sfy&e=1&dl=0. (The +6 dB at 1900 Hz was too much for me, so I lowered it to +3 dB.)

Amir reviewed the HE6SE, the Oratory settings you mentioned are for HE6SE V2. Oratory has EQ presets for both:
- Hifiman HE6se
- Hifiman HE6se V2

Other sources for PEQ files:
Here are measurements from Squig.link. On the bottom of the page you could toogle between HE6se or HE6se V2, you can select different targets and generate a PEQ files.

Another source could be the AutoEq homepage:
- Hifiman HE6se
- Hifiman HE6se V2

 

[thecoolerplayer]

Alright, I think I finally see the light.

Adjusting to these took longer than I thought but boy, it was so worth it!

I can finally understand the bass response that everyone praises now; it is utterly powerful yet smooth and just perfect! My Hexa feels lifeless and soulless now - which I still love hearing but I'm already thinking of buying a case to carry the HE6SE to the office and back now

I could write so much more about these cans and their response, details, imaging but I don't think there's anything new to be added there that has not already been done so. I would perhaps say that the amplification requirements are a bit overblown, especially in the face of modern equipment now available. I am more than happy pairing them with my Topping G5 and don't see the need to spend on anything else to drive these. Happy listening!

 

[zonk]

My Hexa feels lifeless and soulless now - which I still love hearing but I'm already thinking of buying a case to carry the HE6SE to the office and back now

There are EQ files as well for the Hexas:
Truthear-Hexa.pdf by oratory
Truthear Hexa on squig.link (here you can switch between different target curves and create PEQ files.
AutoEQ PEQ-file

And sometimes the seal is not very good that effrect sound as well. You could still play around with other eartips sizes or eartip material.

Maybe you have seen I posted some links for additional EQ file sources for the HE6SE, that you could try.

 

[Mattyesfan]

So, after buying the Topping DX5 II and enjoying the hell out of it, I decided since the thing has so much power, I may as well get some super power hungry headphones.

Long story short, after reading the review and specs on the HE6se here, it sounded like exactly what I wanted. I found a pair on eBay for a very reasonable price and decided to take a chance on them, and luckily they are in near mint shape and working great.

I have to say, after setting up the PEQ to match the original review and trying them out with my test track playlist, I wasn’t quite ready for how these headphones sound. So much bass presence but so smooth all around with that EQ setting. Incredibly detailed and large soundstage. Just beautiful sound.

My next best open back planers are Sundara, which I have enjoyed and wondered how much better these could sound. It’s incredible how much better these sound in comparison. Every genre I’ve listened to sounds fantastic.

I’ll probably try out the HE adapter with my stereo amp later just to see if there is much difference, but the DX5 II gives me a good amount of headroom with the balanced output.

 

[shinbojan]

Now try some mods (grills, pads,...).
Bass can be even stronger with bass port mod, but that could lead to stuck drivers.

 

[Oldson]

Incorrect

Not interested in having that discussion. We can just disagree and save ourselves a lot of time.

View attachment 474300

This is how stuck magnets look. You can easily remove the grills (and put them back) and check under the light.
Also try using them without grills, that will affect the sound as well.

ive just been offered a pair of these, used, at a good price...
is this a common issue?
i assume the driver is useless after this

 

[bagwell359]

ive just been offered a pair of these, used, at a good price...
is this a common issue?
i assume the driver is useless after this

The HE-6 SE v2 is known to have the stuck driver issue - the HE-6 SE seems much less prone to that issue via my reading of threads since both came out on a lot of sites.

It seems people keep using them after they are unstuck, but, I'm not 100% sure of that, or how it might shorten the life of them if they are stuck.

 

[Oldson]

The HE-6 SE v2 is known to have the stuck driver issue - the HE-6 SE seems much less prone to that issue via my reading of threads since both came out on a lot of sites.

It seems people keep using them after they are unstuck, but, I'm not 100% sure of that, or how it might shorten the life of them if they are stuck.

having had a read around various sites, i have decided to pass on it.

 

[FrantzM]

having had a read around various sites, i have decided to pass on it.

I had that issue when I acquired a He-6SEv2. I spoke to HiFiMan support about it and in a matter of days, another sample was sent to me. It has been working for the past 4 years without any issue...
Depending on where you are, the HE-6SE or v2 are worth that bother: these are that good, when EQ , and, these can take EQ with their low level of THD across the entire audible spectrum, and at all level. Yes, these require some juice to be driven properly, but IME, worth it.
When properly EQ-ed and with the proper amplification, one of the best headphones your money would buy.

 

[shinbojan]

It seems people keep using them after they are unstuck, but, I'm not 100% sure of that, or how it might shorten the life of them if they are stuck.

Yes, you can fix them yourself, but we never got a report what happens after that.
There are some things that you can do to try to prevent the issue (keep them stored correctly, put them on your head correctly, don't use insane bass shelf, be really careful when pad rolling).

 

[Oldson]

have not heard much of this issue happening with other headphones.
closest thing i have heard about is the Audeze range where pressing on the cups can cause the driver membrane to flex and cause a crackling sound, but never heard of these sticking to the magnets after.
so is this driver sticking issue common among other planars?

 

[Oldson]

I had that issue when I acquired a He-6SEv2. I spoke to HiFiMan support about it and in a matter of days, another sample was sent to me. It has been working for the past 4 years without any issue...
Depending on where you are, the HE-6SE or v2 are worth that bother: these are that good, when EQ , and, these can take EQ with their low level of THD across the entire audible spectrum, and at all level. Yes, these require some juice to be driven properly, but IME, worth it.
When properly EQ-ed and with the proper amplification, one of the best headphones your money would buy.

maybe avoiding the "used" market would be wise then.
sounds like you need a warranty with these

 

[bagwell359]

maybe avoiding the "used" market would be wise then.
sounds like you need a warranty with these

There is no new market - closest thing is a HFM refurb. I would avoid the v2, the OG HE-6 SE has AFAIK 1 report of a stuck driver. Given they usually go $399 refurb, and you have the juice (> 2 wpc@50 ohms if using moderate bass shelf), I really cannot name a better headphone - for overall music at that price. If you have a thing for midrange and proper timbre with little or no PEQ - the HD-600 is a good one. The Arya Stealth is another one - needs PEQ as much or more than the HE-6 SE IMO.

 

[Oldson]

There is no new market - closest thing is a HFM refurb. I would avoid the v2, the OG HE-6 SE has AFAIK 1 report of a stuck driver. Given they usually go $399 refurb, and you have the juice (> 2 wpc@50 ohms if using moderate bass shelf), I really cannot name a better headphone - for overall music at that price. If you have a thing for midrange and proper timbre with little or no PEQ - the HD-600 is a good one. The Arya Stealth is another one - needs PEQ as much or more than the HE-6 SE IMO.

sorry, i refer to the v2, still available on amazon