I am pushing 240wpc into them, which when divided by 50ohms because the amp is rated at that for 8ohms is more realistically ally down to about 10watts… (i didn’t do the math i’m just halving a bunch…)It’s not just the wattage though that plays the critical role, it is also the current and extra headrom. These are very inefficient at a low 82db i believe. All my numbers are rough, i don’t have the specs or math in front of me.
Hifiman recommends 2W at 50 ohm. Usually I’d say most mfgs exaggerate this, but in this case, I’d say that’s probably about right.
I am using the Jotunheim 2, which is rated at 4W at 50 Ohm and it sounds really nice.
With the Feliks Elise OTL, i can get it PLENTY loud but it sounds bloomy and stretched.
I can even get this loud enough on my Samsung Galaxy phone at full max, but it sounds really bad.
4 Likes
Yeah OK. I have a Questyle CMA Twelve. I think at 50 ohm it wouldn’t quite push those ratings, and no headroom.
Is the headband change just a cosmetic refresh? Assume they still sound the same.
At its rated output, you’d see 32W @ 50Ω from a Mk2 555. And at what is really capable of, that’d increase to 38.4W. You’re not “pushing” that though, that’s just what’s available. Current is drawn, not pushed.
In practice, at 120 dB/SPL (aka instant permanent hearing damage) they’ll draw about 4.5W (measured … difference between rated impedance and actual fudges this some). Proper headroom there takes you to 9W. In practice, 4W (or about the output of a Lyr 3 or Jotunheim 2) gets you to 117 dB/SPL with 50% headroom.
Obviously the more headroom, the less stress the amplifier is under, which helps with distortion, though that should be a rapidly diminishing benefit.
So while speaker amps are a generally less expensive way to get to that sort of power into 50 ohms, with more headroom, than dedicated headphone amplifiers - I wouldn’t say they’re mandatory. And I certainly wouldn’t go overboard with them.
I think the benefits beyond what I got from an 8W into 50Ω headphone amplifier had more to do with much faster slew rates than they did power/headroom.
10 Likes
This is my current EQ, mostly to increase the sub-bass a bit. I added a little compensation to the mid-range as well.
Freq | Gain | Q
35 Hz | 1.5 | 0.5
150 Hz | 1.0 | 0.7
700 Hz | -1.2 | 0.7
1600 Hz | 2.0 | 2.0
4 Likes
Hey @eric75 if you can hang tight until the weekend I can get you some more impressions with the pendant. I’m kinda under the big guns 
of @TylersEclectic to get my review content filmed written on a loaner headphone by the weekend.
3 Likes
Damn, he’s cracking the whip, huh?
That’s ok, means we get another video soon.
3 Likes
I think they are going on tour, so it’s more so that they can start getting on the heads of multiple people.
Absolutely! No rush I have the luxury of time and patience on my side with this purchase. 
1 Like
So I’ve recently received this on loan to review them and I must say that my first impression is not positive: the cable would be inadequate for a $500 headphone, let alone a $1800 one, it’s so bad it seems like someone at HiFiMAN is playing a prank on customers (and my unit came with kinks just as the ones @MRHifiReviews and @Torq have); the headband is the same as the $180 HE-400i 2020, which is just a bad thing on its own, but it becomes even worse since it’s a deeply uncomfortable band to begin with. So yeah, my initial reaction is not positive and aligns to that of the others, as far as I’ve read.
Sound is another thing entirely though, as they are absolutely lovely. I haven’t given them enough time to form a full opinion, but I really liked what I’ve heard so far. I should have a review ready in a few days (hopefully by the end of next week).
3 Likes
I actually continue to be impressed by these headphones from Adorama and Hifiman https://adorama.rfvk.net/J50AN for the price $699 not full retail of $1799. They sound fairly open, slam up there with planar magnetic headphones 3 times their price, image pretty damn good, and have more detail or resolution than some headphones again 3-4 times their asking price. I don’t really ever get into pricing when I review stuff because money and how to spend it is a very subjective thing. They sound good on the LYR3, bifrost2 combo, good on the MOGWAI OG D90 combo, and good on the Pendant with either dacs or the current dac I have in for demo the CHORD TT2. They seem to need plenty of current as well as the power to control the drivers on the low end and to smooth out the treble. A proper headphone amp is absolutely a must. They are actually really comfortable for my head too. For whatever reason, the shape of the headband really works for my old chrome dome, and I don’t get any hotspots. As mentioned the included cables suck. Overall I think they are keepers for sure. Anyone have any cables they have used with them that don’t suck? The ones @ProfFalkin made for me, unfortunately, don’t fit due to the design of the HE6SEV2 so I need to get some that do since they are going to stick around.
EDIT: also an openbox pair for sale now for $639 adorama.rfvk.net/AqG7o
8 Likes
Yeah at $700 the HE6se is a no brainer for me assuming you can drive it well.
I just wish comfort was better… Both the earpads and headband leave much to be desired.
2 Likes
I guess I am lucky the ear pads and the headband don’t bother me at all forms comfort perspective.
1 Like
They’ve grown on me a fair bit over the last week or so, too.
At this point, while not much has changed from my prior comments, I would say that:
-
The headband is no longer causing a hot-spot.
-
While the Arya are a tad more refined in places, overall I would rather listen to the HE6SEV2 - even if they cost the same (though I still wouldn’t pay MSRP for either).
4 Likes
Nice… mine are arriving today. We’ll see how they do on the V280…
2 Likes
It has the juice to make them slam.
Perhaps a bit mellow to bring out the absolute best of their most prominent traits, but there’s no way it won’t be a fun listen.
3 Likes
Cross-posting … but …
Blu-Mk2 → Chord DAVE in pre-amp mode at 0 dB (via XLR).
HSA-1b with 0 dB input attenuation, and set at about “18” on its dial …
Feeding HiFiMan HE6SEV2 … via its “ribbon” output …
Playing:
- “Drum Warfare” (Elimination), David Feslyian
- “Higher” (Higher EP), Destructo
- “Something Good”, (Utah Saints), Utah Saints
Welcome to “religion” …
3 Likes
Ok, Drum Warfare is cool as hell! Thank you for that. Higher was fun too.
(I already have Utah Saints in the library. hehe)
3 Likes
Extra layer of padding for the headband (took it off my Stellia so will need to order another in a matching colour):
3 Likes
I use a headphone sweater on mine too… or i did…
Left driver just stopped working. Checked cables and they’re fine on Arya. 
Going to see about getting a replacement tomorrow with Adorama.
4 Likes