Hifiman HE-6

Time to stop beating around the bush. The 4 screw is actually a much better version of the HE-6.

You people who have one (or more than one) have a very special headphone. I could not be happy listening to a 6 screw.

 

Thank you! These are excellent, I've got an HE 4 that I LOVE and I've pinned after both the HD 800 and the HE 6... as they each need mods but only the HE 6 needs a bigger amp than I have on stock. It's nice to seem this kind of comparison... I'm starting to think it'd be advantageous to have my HE 4 alongside of the HD 800, rather than sell my HE 4 to buy a more powerful amp for an HE 6...

 

Much better in what sense? Is the resolution better compared to the 6 screw? I felt like the 6 screw version I had would hit a resolution wall for lack of a better descriptor, which bothered me over time, despite really liking most other aspects of the headphone.

 

Sorry if I'm beating a dead horse, but I've read that HE-6 has a reversed polarity. Even Innerfidelity review said so, although Tyll did say it could not be discernible for the most part.

What exactly is reverse polarity, and how could this be problematic to sound quality? And, do all HE-6 have reverse polarity, or was it sort of a manufacturing error that happened with some units but later corrected by HFM?

Also, is there a way to tell if my HE-6 has reverse polarity? And if it is, without a DAC like Yggdrasil that reverses polarity, is there a way to correct this from the source end?

 

Yes Joel, better resolution. [Edit: think Utopia level resolution] Taking the hd800 as a reference, it goes like this :

He6 v2 << hd800 <<<<<< he6 v1

And it sounds exactly as you described it for the v2, it seems like the hp hits a wall of grayness. Only downside is the tonality, as the v1 is significantly brighter in stock form. Ohhgourami's mods alleviate it.

Here are sorrodje's measurements from our meet in Paris, last January (3 of those units are or were mine at some point) :
http://superbestaudiofriends.org/in...crews-stock-different-mods-measurements.3733/

 

Yeah the wall isn't there on a 4 screw. It's like a veil has been lifted. It's a very obvious change.

When I had a 6 screw and heard the difference for the first time, I had thought the pair was broken or modded differently. It was when I had multi pairs of 4 and 6 screws side by side set up exactly the same did I realize there was a difference.

 

Finally picked up my HE6 from USPS. Been listening for about an hour, I think HE6 is an excellent headphones, very musical, female vocal oh so sweet, which is what matter to me the most, and I think I like vocal on the HE6 better than the Utopia. Bass is full, slightly muddier than Utopia, but still very enjoyable. No other mods except for the grill foam removal, and looks like the owner also did a silver cable upgrade, photo below, let me know if this is the case.



Here's my setup:



I think Glenn 300B drives the HE6 wonderfully, I like the bass where it is now, so probably won't be doing the blutack mod. Maybe will get a set of Audeze pads to see how that turn out.

How difficult is it to undo blutack mod if I decided it's not for me?

 

Blutack mod cleans up the muddiness and reduces quantity in the bass. It's reversible if you don't like it. Audeze pads will bloat the bass. Blutack and Audeze pads go together like a horse and carriage as they even each other out while giving you benefits of both.

 

Cool, thanks. Glad to know it's reversible, will give it a try sometime for sure.

HE6 got me thinking where Hifiman is heading... I owned HEK v1 twice, and also HEK v2 for about a month. Both don't get any where close to the HE6, and yet they cost more than twice the price. Susvara even more costly...sigh.

 

Krhagon on top of what Ohhgourami said about the mods, bass cleanliness is an area where a good SS amp will be superior to tubes.

Not sure if it has to do with current delivery or bass distortion, but IME, once paired with the proper SS amp, he6's bass looses that flabby character.

My 2A3 mkIV is very close tonally to my ahb2, with only that slight bloom in the mids pertaining to the 2A3 tubes, but bass quality is where things differ.

 

As a current owner of a modded HE6 and a HEKv2 (and a Glenn 300B amp), I will throw out a contrary view. I find the HEKv2 beats the HE6 in every way except in the bass (HE6 is a bit better more controlled down low to my ears) and it has better punch and attack for rocking out with. For anything vocal-centric, instrumental or classical I reach for the HEKv2 every time. I have gone through a bunch of headphones over the past 4 years - nothing else I have heard does a laid back sound like the HEKv2.

 

Do you have a 6 screws version of the he6 by chance, TonyNewman ?

Khragon just bought a 4 screws version and that could easily explain the difference between your respective impressions.

 

6 screws - modded up the wazzo.

 

Different tastes indeed.. I never heard other HE6 so can't comment on variations, but I tried liking the HEK, both versions, and can't. I found the vocal harsh and may be even distortion in the upper registers. Sold them all. I found the Sony MDR Z1R similar harsh vocal and sold that too.

 

What about the HE-560's? Any good? They seem like a good price on B&H unless of course if they suck.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1195253-REG/hifiman_he_560_planar_premium_headphone.html

 

Good price for new with warranty.

If you can find one, the HE-500 is cheaper and arguably just as good.

 

Interesting. I did find the HE1000v2 treble a little troubling with the Yggdrasil - it can get a little bit forward / splashy. The Pavane NOS DAC fixed this for me.

 

Needs proper care and feeding (read modding and amp/DAC). Otherwise will be too bright and upfront. $500 is a good price if you're able to commit the additional funds with this in mind.

 

Damn it, just when I thought I was happy with my 6 screw HE-6, you came along and activated my audiophilia nervosa. Now I could no longer be happy with my 6 screw! Also made me regret selling my 4 screw years ago...

Getting a 6 screw wasn't easy as the HE-6 is discontinued, how the hell am I going to find another 4 screw which is even rarer. Ugh.