Hifiman HE6Se V2

Was there a reduction in weight after swapping out to the Audeze CF headband?

Yes! They’re also much more comfortable :slight_smile: Looks great as well. I didn’t really have a problem with the deva style headband, but this distributes the weight much more evenly.

You can find my pic of them somewhere here… I highly recommend it. Assuming you can source the yoke kit along with it since you’ll need it to do the mod.

1 Like

Yeah, I saw your photos a while back and was tempted. But then thought maybe to not waste anymore $$$ modding this thing and just get the Susvara. But now I’m back thinking about whether to mod it - replace the headband and grill.

You’re right, it seems harder these days to source the yoke kit. Maybe Audeze caught on and decided to stop allowing resellers and distributors access to sell the yoke kits by themselves.

EDIT: For those following at home, here are the pics of yours and other members who have changed to the Audeze headbands:

6 Likes

I love the HE6se v2 so much I was also planning on grabbing the Susvaras later this year… plans changed and I decided to dive deep into speakers. Got the Buchardt A500 a couple months ago and loving it.

Decided that I can end my headphone journey here… until I get the itch (which happens often. I always want to try more stuff). Going to wait and see what new things will be coming out later this year… would suck to get the Susvaras and a v2 comes out! haha.

8 Likes

haha yeah, there’s that for me too, plus HiFiMAN’s build quality. I’m now interested in the recently announced Audeze CRBN and their limited run of LCD-Rs.

If you have the HE6se v2 headband readily available, any chance you could provide the weight? IIUC, Audeze’s carbon fiber headbands weigh ~60g.

Sure thing. I believe I have it somewhere in the closet… will dig through and see if I can find it.

1 Like

Your phrase ā€œlike a gunshotā€ really resonated with me. I just got a pair of HE6SE v2 this week, and am spending a LOT of time burning in my brain right now. These little guys kick really hard, and it’s not what I usually consider to be a lower-frequency-based ā€œpunchā€ or ā€œslamā€ in the bass so much as snare drums that extend well into the upper-mids (and to some extent kick drums as well) that completely blow me away. They’re so visceral it’s almost frightening at times. And mind you, I’m amping them alternating between a 789 and a Liquid Platinum, neither of which are reported to be ā€œtop shelfā€ options for the HE6.
My first impressions right out of the box were not so favorable, but with a few hours’ listening time in the last 24 I’m starting to ā€œget itā€. They are an acquired taste as far as I’m concerned, and for me they are EQ mandatory. But some of the technicalities I’m perceiving in this HP are unlike anything I’ve experienced in my audiophile journey thus far. The words that come to mind as I listen to them right now are: grunty, searing (that peak in the treble is a bit tough sometimes), raw, impolite, exciting, lifelike, deeply textured, lightning fast, excellent separation, hyperreal…
I threw on my LCD-X this morning to compare and couldn’t believe how mushy and undefined it all sounded (and these have been my dailies for the last few months). Will spend some time with the Arya later for some more comparisons. But suffice it to say that these are a very different experience from anything I’ve ever owned/auditioned. What fun!

8 Likes

They handle sibilant recordings surprisingly well for something so detailed.

I haven’t had any issues yet with treble peaks but then I always EQ. So my comparison to the Focal Clear is with both headphones EQed to the same target. The HE6se kick so hard I’m going to double check the bass response today to make sure I’m not inadvertently giving them an advantage.

3 Likes

Oh and I totally agree that sibilance isn’t really that much of an issue with these, which was surprising to me given the OOTB FR!

What are you using for EQ? I personally really dislike using software, and stick to my trusty Loki. Until the He6 came into my life, the Loki has been perfect as it allows me to apply nice, broad strokes of EQ to gently shape the sound (everything I’ve ever needed for LCD-X 2021 and Arya). I’m not really interested in getting in there with a scalpel and really ā€œcorrectingā€ the tonality of any headphone. But that peak around 4k on the He6 is a little tricky for me. It sits between the high shelf (8k) and second highest band (2k) on the Loki, so I don’t really have the means to deal with it. That coupled with the fact that ideally I’d like to enhance the little dip from 1k to 2k, but the Q values on the Loki being so broad will then bring up 4k as well. Oh well… looking at getting a Lokius next, but really wanna try this little beauty out on some speaker amp taps next

2 Likes

For that discounted price you honestly can’t go wrong with these headphones. Not sure if anything at the 700 or sub 700 can beat them.

As you guys mentioned the clears are being discarded and that’s a 1500 msrp set. I’ve never A/B both headphones together yet from the clears, 800s and lcd-2 I preferred the og clears. I think you guys are referring to the OG clears above.

I never tried to EQ them, I would be using software, but they sound okay right out the box and I actually prefer listening to them at higher volume, it just sounds like they get better and better as volume increases.

Maybe I’m not treble sensitive as these are my second pair of headphones, I see no issues at all besides the headband and seems like some people have already resolved this. I just use a terry washcloth on top of my head and problem solved for hours of comfort

1 Like

I’m using software. Either Roon’s built-in EQ or the EQuick VST plugin. I used REW and Resolve’s measurements to develop a Harman target preset. No matter what method you use, the HE6se seem to respond well to EQ.

I took a few measurements with my HE6se and my Clear (yes, the OG Clear) today and the FR below 500 hz or so after EQ is very close. I don’t think the additional slam of the HE6se is due to giving the HE6se an EQ advantage.

2 Likes

I bought these recently and have had them for a few weeks, and for me, they are the upgrade from an older HE-560 (the one with the wood veneer and SMC connectors) – much punchier, better detail, just a fun listen, and that’s stock coming out of very modest amps at that, the THX 789 and at times the Topping A30 Pro.

I’m actually surprised that sound quite adequate even out the headphone out, single ended, of an old Benchmark DAC1 that doesn’t have USB.

4 Likes

If anyone else prefers relaxed treble like I do, I recommend trying this EQ—which I’ve been using for the past several weeks. It’s tuned for the stock pads running on the Soloist 3X.

Honestly I’m surprised to see so many here like them with the stock tuning. I found that large delta from 2k to 4k to be awful.

(PEACE importable format)

Equalizer: Generic
No measurement
Filter 1: ON LS          FC 140  Gain  1.5 Q 1
Filter 2: ON PK          FC 30  Gain  1 Q 1
Filter 3: ON PK          FC 1700  Gain  4 Q 1.4
Filter 4: ON PK          FC 4000  Gain  -7 Q 2.6

Obviously, adjust bass to personal preference.

2 Likes

hi, assuming using the same entry level amp like asgard 3 or magnius, which will sound better he6se v2 or ananda

4 Likes

Welcome to the community.
I’d go for Anandas.
HE6 need a lot of power to give their best.
Anandas are low impedance and quite efficient in comparison so will sound better with budget amps.

7 Likes

I’ll second @monochromios comment. I’ve owned both (and currently daily drive the He6SEv2) and think that the Ananda is a more versatile headphone. Doesn’t require EQ and isn’t all that amp-picky. You may want to ā€œgraduateā€ to the He6 at some point, but as far as entry-level amp pairings are concerned, you’ll be MUCH happier with the Ananda.

6 Likes

thank you for your fast responses

2 Likes

Never mind. You’re welcome.

You’ve already received sufficient advice, I’m sure, but I’ll add my 2 cents – I own both, and they’re right, Ananda. :slight_smile: Easier to drive, less amp picky.

3 Likes