HiFiMAN HE6se Full-Size Over Ear Planar Magnetic Audiophile Adjustable Headphones V2

Product Information

While the HEXV2 sounds much more spacious and softer, the HE6SE is more focused and has more bass impact.

Even when compared to electrostatic setups, like HIFIMAN's own Jade II, or like Sonoma Model One I just reviewed, HE6SE manages to hold its ground (HE6SE being a planar magnetic headphone), so you won't be left behind in terms of detail, micro detail and clarity. Of course, that was a bad comparison, to put it differently, when I was using DX220 with AMP7, which was the highest power module, together with Sundara, I would mostly crank the volume at the maximum possible, and still have a great time, so you get the point. I mean, the headphone itself would be pretty portable, despite the slightly increased weight when compared to Sundara, you could simply strap a Sundara cable to HE6SE and take it with you, if you found anything that would be capable of driving them properly.There's more to hear about it, and how it compares with HIFIMAN Arya, Kennerton Thror, Audeze LCD-MX4, as well as something much more expensive line Warwick Acoustics Sonoma Model One.

I mostly tested the HE6SE v2 using my Topping DX7 feeding a Drop THX AAA 789 (balanced), plus an iFi micro iDSD Signature (single ended). Imaging is one thing the HE6SE excel at, with pinpoint accuracy when it comes to placing instruments. Therefore I am judging these cans doing a decent job, but it doesn’t mean they can’t scale any higher. About the HE6se v2, I drive them with the Schiit magnius and like it, though I could use a little more headroom as I am usually at 11-1ish listening volume.Pairings with Mytek Brookyln DAC+, Audio-Gd Master 19, and Xtenik xDuoo TA-10, will also prove that regardless how much you invest in the source, you can surely drive HE6Se and have an excellent time with it. You can get to 115 dB for transients, say a single drum beat, and this is why you generally want to have enough power to get to these levels.

You’re free to think this is “superfluous superficial shit”, I think this is pretty down-to-Earth thinking. Headphone amps have evolved a little since the original HE6 came out, and there are some on the market that will drive the HE6SE pretty well; but most owners will recommend using them with an integrated speaker amplifier or a power amplifier in the range of 50-150wpc into 8Ohms. I’m using the HE6SE with HiFiMan’s EF400, and I believe it’s one of the best possible combinations, especially without spending unreasonable amounts of money.

That is certainly a fitting place to plug in a couple of headphones for our little demo, don’t you think? I also got the Drop THX AAA 789 and the source is a Gustard X16 fully balanced DAC with two ESS 9068AS chips.

Maybe it’s due to my southern roots in the hills of eastern Kentucky, but I’ve always been raised under the pretense of when you introduce yourself to someone for the first time you present yourself with confidence, class, character, pride, and competence.HiFiMan had their arm twisted gently round their back and have very kindly sent me another review sample. I had the HEXV2 and the LCD2C around with the HE6SE, so I can only compare to these headphones with confidence. So concentrating on the sound is much more economical and convenient… Irony isn’t your thing Greg, is it…! In the end, HE6SE is made well, eats lots of power, is not the most comfortable out there, but will last a long time. Overall a really good set of accessories and the HE-Adapter will help you hook them up to a speaker amplifier easier.