Firstly I would like to thank HiFiMAN for sending me this sample to review.
*disclaimer: This sample was provided for the purpose of writing a review, no incentive was given to write a favourable review. All opinions expressed are my own subjective findings
Gear Used:
Yulong DA10 > HE6SE
Keces S3 > HE6SE
Keces S3 > Keces E40 > HE6SE
Tech Specs:
- Frequency response : 8Hz – 65KHz
- Impedance : 50 Ohms
- Sensitivity : 83.5 dB
- Weight : 502g
- MSRP: $1799
- https://hifiman.com/products/detail/294
Packaging, Build Quality and Accessories:
The HE6SE come in a big card box, inside this you will find the HE6SE box which is styled like the old HiFiMAN packaging except now better finished and more premium. With a hard box covered in black faux leather with a clasp on the front to close it. Inside you will find the headphones well secured in a cutout that is covered with silk like material. It is a luxurious unboxing, and one that you would expect for the price; you will find the cables in a little cutout in the middle, along with a manual styled like a book which is a nice touch.
Build quality is overall very good, the headband is metal with a leather comfort strap, the cups feel sturdy and HiFiMAN have now started using dual 3.5mm jacks on their headphones which is excellent for changing out cables. The earpads are their newer Palipads which seem fairly durable, and are easy to swap out. The cable is odd, with loose cores within a rubbery jacket, I have a feeling the inner materials are good but the cable just doesn’t feel all that special. I have no issues with the build quality, they feel solid and built to last.
Accessory wise you are supposed to get the HE-Adapter but mine didn’t (not an issue for me), you also get a pair of the standard Velour earpads, manual, cable and a 4-pin XLR to 6.3mm adapter. Overall a really good set of accessories and the HE-Adapter will help you hook them up to a speaker amplifier easier.
Comfort:
One of my gripes with the original HE series was always the comfort, these are still not a lightweight headphone but the headband is designed to distribute the weight a lot more effectively which means I can now wear these for extended periods of time with no discomfort. The new Palipads are soft and just about deep enough for me. The one downside to the headband, like with the Sundara, is the lack of swivel to adjust the front/back angle. When using angled pads like the stock ones this is not an issue but a swivel mechanism like the Ananda BT would have been nice.
Amping:
Well the HE6SE are based on the legendary HE6, and they are well known to be one of the hardest to drive headphones on the market. With a sensitivity of only 83.5dB they need some serious amplification to sound their best, with HiFiMAN recommending at least 2wpc @50Ohms to do them justice. Headphone amps have evolved a little since the original HE6 came out, and there are some on the market that will drive the HE6SE pretty well; but most owners will recommend using them with an integrated speaker amplifier or a power amplifier in the range of 50-150wpc into 8Ohms. You shouldn’t need the HE-Adapter with amps ranging for around 50-100wpc but it might be safer to use it if you don’t want to risk damaging your headphones.
The Yulong DA10 does a respectable job powering the HE6SE but it comes across a little lifeless when you have tried the HE6SE out of a speaker amp. The Yulong is a very impressive DAC/Amp and brings out volume and detail, with good punch but it doesn’t match the dynamics of a more powerful amp.
For most of my listening I used a 4mm banana plug to 4-pin female XLR adapter that I made a while back using Van Damme starquad cable, out of the Keces E40 (50wpc @ 8Ohm) using the Keces S3 as a pure DAC into it. The E40 has a very black background with no hiss and usable volume being above the imbalance point of the pot.
Sound:
Lows: The HE6SE are not a bass monster but what they have on their side is speed, agility and detail. When powered properly the HE6SE have excellent impact down low, hitting hard with authority but always in a controlled and precise manner. The transient response of the drivers means they never become bloated or congested even with the fastest of metal tracks. Sub-bass rumble is not very strong but they still extend well down into that region when called for, it just isn’t elevated. Not matter how strong the bass is in the mix, they never become muddy or bass heavy. This more neutral and controlled yet very dynamic approach to the lows means the HE6SE are happy to play along with all genres.
Midrange: The midrange is clean and clear, and always perfectly centered in the mix, with excellent layering. Vocals come across with natural tonality and each track is well isolated. Guitars have power, yet intricate acoustic tracks have plenty of nuance. The HE6SE have a way of rendering the tracks as they should be, with great accuracy yet honest and real timbre. Perfectly bridging the gap between the lows and highs, the midrange is never lost in the mix, neither is it too forward or attention grabbing. The natural way these present vocals can be haunting at times, the emotion rendered really is impressive.
Highs: The treble on these is perfect in my books, with the right balance when it comes to presence, falling perfectly in line with lows and midrange. Unashamedly clean and resolving without being bright, the overall linearity from lows to highs is highly enjoyable. The highs come across natural, with effortless extension and shimmer. They are not fatiguing up top yet they are always present and never take a back seat. The transparency up top does mean they do prefer well recorded music, and subtleties that are normally lost up top are on show with the HE6SE.
The soundstage is not huge but it has about equal width as it does height which is good. The HD800s and the Meze Empyrean still have a wider soundstage, but everything is well placed within the stage on the HE6SE. Imaging is one thing the HE6SE excel at, with pinpoint accuracy when it comes to placing instruments.
Comparisons: I can’t really think of anything that comes close to the engaging yet well balance nature of the HE6SE. The Mr Speakers Ether 2 have a more airy and slightly lean sound to them that just doesn’t match the energy of the HE6SE, the HD800s is wider in terms of soundstaging but are no way near as fun or musical. The LCD-4 and Final D8000 are probably the only main comparisons, with the D8000 extracting a little more fine detail with greater punch but they do not sound as neutral and well balanced as the HE6se. The LCD-4 has, again, got better detail retrieval but with lower energy and punch they sound a little reserved and almost boring in comparison, whilst being a superb headphone in their own right.
Conclusion:
Well as you can see, and also probably know, I am a huge fan of the HE6, and the HE6SE. Providing you have an amp that is capable of driving them, the HE6SE are still one of the best headphones around if you enjoy a detailed, well balanced yet engaging listen. There is a fluidity to the HE6SE that is enticing, they have excellent coherency and the overall sound just works. Yes some headphones have better micro-detail, and others have better soundstaging, but when it comes to pure enjoyment and energy there are few that can match what these deliver. I know the price has gone up since the HE6 came out, but if you take into account inflation along with current flagship prices, the HE6SE actually stands its ground and can easily go hand in hand with today’s offerings that often cost more.
Sound Perfection Rating: 9.5/10 (amping is key to getting the most out of this legend reborn)