frontpage Posted by iconian | Staff • Apr 8, 2025
Apr 8, 2025 3:06 PM
Item 1 of 2
Item 1 of 2
frontpage Posted by iconian | Staff • Apr 8, 2025
Apr 8, 2025 3:06 PM
HIFIMAN HE6se V2 Planar Magnetic Headphones
+ Free Shipping$298
$499
40% offAliExpress
Get Deal at AliExpressGood Deal
Bad Deal
Save
Share
Top Comments
A very powerful headphone amplifier is pretty much necessary to get decent sound out of the he6sev2. Hifiman recommends a minimum of 2 watts per channel into 50 ohms, and many people who own these headphones recommend up to 5 watts into 50 ohms, which is an absolutely ludicrous amount of power. If you don't already have a very powerful desktop amp, don't even think about buying these.
In addition to the standard hifiman longevity/quality control concerns, the he6sev2 is notorious for the membrane magnets getting "stuck". While this can sometimes be temporarily fixed by physically removing the membrane from the magnets (such as by blowing on it with sufficient force), it's a known recurring issue.
Build quality of the he6sev2 is relatively similar to hifiman's low end headphones, it uses the same standard cheap headband as even the $109 he400se. The he6sev2 is also exceptionally heavy, at 470g (16.58 oz), and is generally considered an extremely uncomfortable headphone without headband mods.
The sound quality of the he6sev2 is renowned for being exceptional at a price below $500 (assuming it's driven by a sufficiently powerful amp), so these compromises would be justified if there weren't any viable alternatives.
However, the newer hifiman edition xs: have sound quality in what's generally considered a relatively similar tier (anecdotally slightly worse compared to a properly driven he6sev2), are lighter at 405g (14.28 oz) and are generally considered more comfortable (especially if you have a large head), are incredibly easy to drive in comparison (a powerful headphone amp is not necessary, and can even be driven with a decent quality integrated amp or dongle), and are substantially cheaper ($269 new, $215 refurbished).
If you already have a sufficiently powerful amplifier, don't mind modding the headband for comfort, and prefer the sound signature of the he6sev2, this is a good deal. If you don't fit all those criteria, I'd recommend purchasing the edition xs instead.
28 Comments
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
I suggest changing the grill and reusing the stock mesh for the new grill.
Also you need a powerful headphone amp. I'm using the Cayin iha-6 which works great. The best bang for buck is the emotiva mini a-100.
People complain about the cable but it just looks bad. Sounds the same as a nice aftermarket.
usa warehouse should be no duty.
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank BeigeRoad455
A very powerful headphone amplifier is pretty much necessary to get decent sound out of the he6sev2. Hifiman recommends a minimum of 2 watts per channel into 50 ohms, and many people who own these headphones recommend up to 5 watts into 50 ohms, which is an absolutely ludicrous amount of power. If you don't already have a very powerful desktop amp, don't even think about buying these.
In addition to the standard hifiman longevity/quality control concerns, the he6sev2 is notorious for the membrane magnets getting "stuck". While this can sometimes be temporarily fixed by physically removing the membrane from the magnets (such as by blowing on it with sufficient force), it's a known recurring issue.
Build quality of the he6sev2 is relatively similar to hifiman's low end headphones, it uses the same standard cheap headband as even the $109 he400se. The he6sev2 is also exceptionally heavy, at 470g (16.58 oz), and is generally considered an extremely uncomfortable headphone without headband mods.
The sound quality of the he6sev2 is renowned for being exceptional at a price below $500 (assuming it's driven by a sufficiently powerful amp), so these compromises would be justified if there weren't any viable alternatives.
However, the newer hifiman edition xs: have sound quality in what's generally considered a relatively similar tier (anecdotally slightly worse compared to a properly driven he6sev2), are lighter at 405g (14.28 oz) and are generally considered more comfortable (especially if you have a large head), are incredibly easy to drive in comparison (a powerful headphone amp is not necessary, and can even be driven with a decent quality integrated amp or dongle), and are substantially cheaper ($269 new, $215 refurbished).
If you already have a sufficiently powerful amplifier, don't mind modding the headband for comfort, and prefer the sound signature of the he6sev2, this is a good deal. If you don't fit all those criteria, I'd recommend purchasing the edition xs instead.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
Really good deal just be aware that Hifiman recommends 2W @ 50ohms. You can get by with a bit less but you'll need a powerful amp. You don't really need MORE POWER (Tim Allen) than that despite what some people will say on HeadFi. Some of them need to take a basic science refresher course and planar drivers don't have impedance spikes like dynamic drivers do.
Really good deal just be aware that Hifiman recommends 2W @ 50ohms. You can get by with a bit less but you'll need a powerful amp. You don't really need MORE POWER (Tim Allen) than that despite what some people will say on HeadFi. Some of them need to take a basic science refresher course and planar drivers don't have impedance spikes like dynamic drivers do.
afaik they are new. and yes, you do feed a powerful amp to get the best out of them. i have tried old adorama version with a very strong amp and they did sound very nicely. but i also tried them with a DAP,. and i gotta admit, they sounded good too... but ya, i'd only get it if i had proper amplification
This article backs up what you said. https://www.pcmag.com/news/apple-...mp-tariffs
"Any amp recommendations?
adorama has a ifi micro idsd portable amp/dac [adorama.com]. it's pretty good one for sub $300
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.