Hifiman HE-6

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by Meteora, Nov 13, 2015.

  1. songmic

    songmic Gear cycler East Asia edition

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    Well, I ended up selling my 6-screw HE-6. I listened to knerian's advice (though I think it was more of a threat) and sent ohhgourami a PM for a 4-screw HE-6, but have yet to receive a reply. In the meantime, I managed to strike a deal with Currawong for an HE1000 V2 in pristine condition for $2K. Given the condition of the phones, I think it was a good price.

    I compared the 6-screw HE-6 vs HEK V2 and it didn't take me long to decide to sell the former. I have no idea how much better the 4-screw sounds, but on my rig there was no comparison. As someone pointed out, the HEK V2 beat the HE-6 in almost every department except for bass extension and oomph.

    Of course, there are big caveats: mine was a measly 6-screw that apparently doesn't resolve as well as a 4-screw, the only mod I've done to it was the grill removal mod, and my rig was a humble Gungnir Multibit/Mjonlir 2 stack with Telefunken E188CC tubes. While the Mjolnir 2 drove both headphone well, I'm pretty sure the HE-6's potential wasn't reached as it would have had it been driven by a big boy speaker amp.

    With these handicaps on the HE-6, the HEK V2 simply outresolved the HE-6, threw a more expansive soundstage, and most importantly, was less veiled. The HE-6 sounded congested in comparison to the HEK V2, even with the grills removed. Both headphones were slightly brighter than neutral on this setup, but not really to the point of being fatiguing for long hours of listening.

    Right now I'll be happy with the Gungnir Multibit/Mj2/HEK V2. Of course, I'm still eager to try the 4-screw HE-6 or Code-X if given the chance!
     
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2017
  2. ohhgourami

    ohhgourami Friend

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    I see that @songmic has settled for hallucinogens instead of finding true salvation.
     
  3. E_Schaaf

    E_Schaaf MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    Anyone have any idea how to remove a screw from the HE-6 with a stripped head? Im trying to remove some of the blu tack given its created a tiny channel imbalance in the bass (definitely user error), but this is proving more difficult than expected.
     
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2017
  4. BenjaminBore

    BenjaminBore Friend

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    Try this first: http://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Rubber-Band-to-Unscrew-Stripped-Screws

    You might need to add a second layer, and use a lot of force. Careful with that thing, still it's preferable to drilling it out.
     
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2017
  5. E_Schaaf

    E_Schaaf MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    Thanks for the suggestion, I am very paranoid of using a drill due to any metallic shavings that may be produced so close to the drivers and magnets. So the rubber band is a good start. I was considering setting super glue between the screw and driver piece as well.
     
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2017
  6. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    I was just going to suggest super glue. Hopefully the rubber band works for you.
     
  7. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Slightly less invasive than drilling out, but using a dremel or a file (jeweller's or nail) to cut a slot could also give you something for a screwdriver to bite into. Maybe. Attempt at your own risk. Make judicial use of tape to cover everything up.

    Or just use a bit more bluetack to even things out. You're just going for seal, so it doesn't have to be smooshed perfectly inside.
     
  8. khragon

    khragon Acquaintance

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    Maybe you can try to use JB weld to glue a bit on, be sure to cover the driver fully, but my experience is just a bit of JB weld is good enough for you to turn the screw.
    Something like this:
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000786GLM?ref=emc_b_5_t

    Just apply a bit on the screw itself and glue to a small bit, cover the surrounding housing.

    Good luck.
     
  9. E_Schaaf

    E_Schaaf MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    Thanks for the advice everyone. Honestly I think I'm going to let them go in pursuit of a 4-screw or a Code-X (even though a current Code-X owner will probably have to expire before one becomes available). The HE-6 is my all time favorite (I prefer their lively and dynamic presentation even over my Magnepan 3.6's), and I don't want to be settling for a 6-screw if I can go for the 4 and call it endgame (if such a thing exists). The next owner will get a deal though, and can quickly fix the screws on their own. In the mean time I'll be modding the HE-5LE and refreshing the classifieds religiously.
     
    Last edited: Aug 7, 2017
  10. ohhgourami

    ohhgourami Friend

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    I don't have any HE-6's for sale. If you think you're getting one of mine, you'll also be looking down a barrel of a 1911.
     
  11. knerian

    knerian Friend

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    Yo are you sure? I remember you telling me that you wanted to donate a pair to E_schaaf, that you wanted to give back to the community.
     
  12. beemerphile

    beemerphile Friend

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    He did offer to give back... 230 grains at a time.
     
  13. E_Schaaf

    E_Schaaf MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    Turns out all of my previous bitching and moaning was much ado about nothing - that channel imbalance seems to have been caused by an air gap from the HFM plastic pad mounting rings. Taped the pads directly to the housing, and problem solved.

    I had read in ohhg's mod thread about using tape instead of the rings, but I figured it can't have made that much of a difference. I should have listened to the voice of experience. I can't blame you for clutching to your 4-screw's, I'd do the same if I had a pair.

    My screws are still stripped, but I'm done opening them up. And I've realized it's completely idiotic to sell off any pair of HE-6, especially given that an opportunity to 'upgrade' to a 4-screw is about as probable as winning the lottery.
     
  14. knerian

    knerian Friend

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    a pair? He has an entire warehouse of 4 screws.

    Just so you know, he calls you "stripped screw f**" behind your back.
     
  15. E_Schaaf

    E_Schaaf MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    I've been called worse.

    I wonder, why the hostility? All I did was inquire, I had no sense of entitlement or expectations of any kind. I suppose randos get hazed around here (and given some of the posts I've seen, I can see why), but I'm disappointed the vibe isn't a little friendlier.

    We're already far off-topic.

    Does anyone have tips for proper placement of the HE-6 on the head? Seems like a mundane topic, but I find that the rotation of the pads relative to the top and bottom of the ear can noticeably effect the image, even if a full seal is maintained. I'm wondering if this has something to do with the geometry of the pinnae... would be something interesting to investigate. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable about psychoacoustics can chime in.

    I've been experimenting with the 'bass lens' mod as well (as suggested by lars over at HF many pages back on the HE-6 thread), and it has been curious how the perceived stage changes across the X and Y axis as the lens is angled closer to the ear canal vs the top of the pinnae.
     
  16. knerian

    knerian Friend

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    If it makes you feel any better, we've all been where you are. During the 4-screw famine of 2014, Ohhg was down to only 14 pairs of the 4 screws. I offered him $2K for a pair and he refused my offer, and then called me a 6-screw f**.
     
  17. Jozurr

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    After spending hours and hours on the phone trying to find the almost lost package, I have finally received my 4-Screw HE-6. The hype is real.

    Agree with the impressions on most respects: The 4 screw has better resolution, a wider sound stage and is overall cleaner sounding. Very pleasing overall. Please note that I used my never-modified 6-screw to compare to the never-modified 4-screw. The modified 6-screw was not used to be fair.
     
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2017
  18. ohhgourami

    ohhgourami Friend

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    If there wasn't a significant difference in performance, I wouldn't have bothered to tell you guys. It ain't hype; it's been the real thing for a good year now.

    Now you can try it with vegan pads and blutack and the mods would make sense.
     
  19. Jozurr

    Jozurr Facebook Friend

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    I don't necessarily find the 4-screw bright and the vegans definitely killed the treble for me even on the 6-screw, but then my amp is different. The blu-tak reduces some some bass in exchange of better slam, but I don't think I want that. Personal preferences. I've received some J$Money pads as well, and they sound pretty good. I haven't had time to compare the J$Money pads to the Dekoni pads which I like as well.
     
  20. khragon

    khragon Acquaintance

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    Using Audeze vegan now and really enjoy my HE-6, no blutak though, on the fence on that mod, not sure if I would like tighter bass, I think the bass now is pretty good. Will probably enjoy it for a while, then make the mod, my curiosity usually would get a better of me eventually.
     

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