Hifiman HE-6

Do you know if there are sonic differences between the early and later models of the HE-6? I have read that the early ones are thinner and leaner in the bass, but it's hard to know for sure. Plus, unit to unit variation may be just as/more significant. I believe I own the early model because mine has the four screws behind the pad. The bass is clean and well extended, yet I am not hearing the jaw-dropping impact several people have raved about.

 

Uh oh the plot thickens. A bad sounding 4 screw HE-6.

@ohhgourami please address this.

 

Just to clarify, my HE-6 sounds very good; it competes with the HD650 as my favorite headphone. I am guessing the 4-screw notion as lacking bass is a myth, perhaps more attributable to either unit-to-unit variation or a lack of seal of the pads to the cups. I thought about sending my HE-6 out to another member here to compare to their own just to make sure I have a good pair but not sure if I need to, since it already sounds amazing and visceral, just not quite as impactful in the bass as accounts here and elsewhere have testified.

 

@ohhgourami actually thinks the 4screw sounds better than the 6screw. I'll leave it to him to elaborate on the details.

 

I sincerely apologize for potentially derailing the thread with my inquiry; it seems it was unintentionally loaded with implications.

@MrTie How are you taking to the HE-6 out of your amplifier with the stock velour pads?

 

I am using the Focus A pads my buddy left here this weekend actually, much comfier than the stock pleather haven't tried the stock velour. I don't want to put the cart before the horse. But this is, I think, what I was always looking for in headphone. The HE-500 had the balls but lacked the technicals, the HD800 had the finesse of a surgeon but lacks body. I have been doing some switching between the HD800 and the HE-6 and I'm not making up my mind as I'm aware I'm in strong new toy mode, but powered off the anthem i225, the HE-6 really isn't giving much up on the HD800 save a bit of sound-stage. Aggressive, hyper-detailed, rock solid, and unlike the HD800 they actually still sound good on shit recordings.

 

Oh I also already removed my grills and batting.....because reasons.

 

My experience isn't quite as extensive as oogh... oghh... ohgg... ogrearmy...
but I've found that the older models were brighter than the later ones.

 

I can't believe someone actually asked this question! Well the cat's out of the box...

Okay, I've done a decent amount of comparisons between the 4 and 6 screw models. The 4 screws being the original production which ended sometime around 2011. I don't think it is unit variation and I've been able to compare 3 different units of 4 screw which sound exactly the same. I also had a 6 screw to compare with 2 4 screw together and the 6 screw definitely sounds different. I prefer the sound of the 4 screw as it tends to be a bit leaner, more open, and extended. The 6 screw sounds slightly warmer and closed in comparison.

Overall, the differences are there but not huge. Blindly switching back and forth, it's very obvious that it's an HE-6.

As for the bass not being as visceral as we describe, it could be from pad leakage. I absolutely abhor the HFM rings because they can be bent which unknowingly gives you an airgap. This caused a channel imbalance that drove me nuts for months! This is why I immediately scorn anyone who tries to mount the Vegans with those stupid rings! The mounting is very important! @Negura prefers the velours which he mounts directly with double sided tape too. If you are using double sided tape to mount the pads and you still feel that the bass doesn't hit hard enough, I hope you're using a power amp. Also with a 4 screw, you need the crank the volume a bit more.

 

What is a good speaker amp for the HE-6? I am looking for a speaker amp for my speakers but I also want it to be a match for HE-6 because I might pick up an HE-6 in the future.

My speakers are infinity bookshelf speakers. It only needs 20-100 watts.

 

I don't remember who uses FirstWatt, but I see lots of praise for those amps. Plus, someone uses a Krell.

 

Pointless without budget...

 

I want a high value speaker amp for under $1500 or I can stretch it further. I can wait a little longer and get something near endgame as well.

what about vintage amps? or maybe an high end used amp also. looking for value.

 

$1500 or under used. Job 225, Audio Research D series, Bryston, Odyssey, I really like my Anthem so far, but it lacks audiophile street cred.

 

I took the HE-6 out from storage to try the open grill mod.

There was no improvement of sound -- unless you call destroying most of the bass response an improvement. Any impression of airiness I think is just an illusion from all the bass being sucked out.

 

I'm not hearing that, neither are the measurement mics.

http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...oving-stock-dampening-pad-rolling-fuzzor.412/

 

lol

 

Well stock didn't last very long.

De-grilled, poster tack driver sealed, vegans taped on. Sounds great!

 

Man, I miss my HE-6. (getting them hardwired)

 

What's your technical impression before and after mods?