Hifiman HE-6

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

  1. E_Schaaf

    E_Schaaf MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    Does anyone know if the shift in sound between the 4 screw and 6 screw versions was a fluid transition or more intervalistic? Im curious if all 6 screw editions sound the same - I believe my 6 screw was one of the first and I dont find it to be particularly dark, closed, or warm sounding, even with a warm DAC (V800) and a warm amp (Pass ACA).

    Is the change due to a change in driver design, or are the 6 screws simply voiced differently?
     
  2. ohhgourami

    ohhgourami Friend

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    There is great consistency between the screw versions. All the 4 screws I've heard sound exactly the same; all the 6 screws I've heard sound exactly the same. There was a change in the mesh used on both sides of the diaphragm.
     
  3. E_Schaaf

    E_Schaaf MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    Thanks for the info, I know you're a real HE-6 expert so I'll take your word for it. Do you think some of the transparency can be recoverered through component matching, pad rolling, and mods? I indeed found your mods very helpful in tuning the 6-screw HE-6, but I feel that the vegan pads make the highest treble a bit polite and midrange a bit fuzzy. The way I hear the 4-screw HE-6 described makes me imagine it being slightly closer in sound signature to the HE-5, which would make sense given the shared traits between a modded 4-screw HE-6 and the Code-X, where the 6-screw seems more akin with the HE-5LE or HE-500, which makes sense given how the magnets are aligned in each.
     
  4. ohhgourami

    ohhgourami Friend

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    This overly polite treble and fuzzy midrange doesn't exist with my pairs (or other's who did the same mods on a 4 screw). I'd like to say it's the mesh used in the 6 screw. The 4 screw does sound very similar to the HE-5 and Code-X except with a more aggressive sound.

    If you are going to the Pasadena meet this Saturday, I'll most likely be coming in the afternoon and I can bring my pair with me. I ain't hauling any other gear though.
     
  5. E_Schaaf

    E_Schaaf MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    Sadly I'll be on set in Idyllwild this weekend, but very soon I'll be receiving Rays pair of HE-5LE, and I'm interested to see how your mods with the HE-6 may transition to the 5LE. Do you have any experience with the 5LE? There is surprisingly little written about it, and I cant find thorough measurments or recommended modifications.
     
  6. ohhgourami

    ohhgourami Friend

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    Heard the 5LE once at a meet long ago in one of my previous rigs. Sounded good from what I remember but a bit soft.
     
  7. E_Schaaf

    E_Schaaf MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    And I suppose that would make sense as well given that the asymmetrical magnet arrays are shared in part with the notoriously soft HE-1000. I don't want to get too off topic, but I suppose the following question applies to the HE-6 more than any other headphone I can think of -

    What particular driver design and damping principles tend to give a pair of headphones a more dynamic, punchy sound? Is it related mostly to FR, impulse response, distortion, or some combination of each?

    I'm just wondering what types of modifications can be done to planar headphones to increase this particular characteristic, which the HE-6 seems to have regardless of revision, and which seems to be lacking in the new HFM offerings.
     
  8. ohhgourami

    ohhgourami Friend

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    It can't be done with FR. I used a DSP with the HE1K with hopes I could get the same sound as the HE-6. I took measurements of both headphones and had an emulator created. The HE1k was able to get some of the engaging sound back but couldn't reproduce the same solid hard hitting sound.

    A few people believe it is down to the gap between the magnets and diaphragm and possibly weight - excursion.
     
  9. khragon

    khragon Acquaintance

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    Anyone tried Schiit's new Vidar with the HE-6?
     
  10. songmic

    songmic Gear cycler East Asia edition

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    That's the first question that came to my mind when I heard Vidar's release. For only $700 (or $1.4K if you decide to go balanced), how does it stack up to the big boy power amps regarded as the best for HE-6?
     
  11. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    Yeah, Vidar vs some of the other reasonable pro power amps @Marvey has suggested would be an interesting comparison.

    I'm personally considering Gungnir Multibit>Freya/Aficionado>Vidar>HE-6
     
  12. ohhgourami

    ohhgourami Friend

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    I did but the chain was too unfamiliar to make any conclusions. I had an early Vidar in my chain during the last big meet and it didn't stand a chance.
     
  13. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    Too what? the big Krell or the AHB2? I can do a 30 day in home trial with the AHB2.
     
  14. Jozurr

    Jozurr Facebook Friend

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    Bought and incoming: 4 screw HE-6 to see how good it is compared to my "limited" 6 screw versions.
     
  15. frenchbat

    frenchbat Almost "Made"

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    Be prepared to roll pads at the very least. Stock, It's likely gonna be bright for you.
     
  16. Jozurr

    Jozurr Facebook Friend

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    I have sets of vegans, angled c pads, dekoni th900, alpha pads and jmoney pads that Ill try rolling. Ill see how the synergy is with the J2 as well. Lately Ive been enjoying the resolution of the Utopias (out of the ZDS they sound pretty good), and if the 4 screw version has indeed better resolution than the 6 screw version, it will be a welcome change.
     
  17. frenchbat

    frenchbat Almost "Made"

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    You seem to be set up for a good time. Maybe you won't need the full attenuation of the vegans with the J2.

    Consider the blutak mod if your drivers aren't glued to the housing. It tightens the bass in quality, but can reduce quantity, as Ohhgourami said earlier.

    Anyway, have fun.
     
  18. jelt2359

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    Congrats on the 4 screw!
     
  19. frenchbat

    frenchbat Almost "Made"

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    Btw @Jozurr, in the eventuality that you didn't like it, please get in touch with Donald North. He's looking for one.
     
  20. Jozurr

    Jozurr Facebook Friend

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    I did have the blu tak mod on my he6 some time ago. I enjoyed the tightening of the bass slam. That was pretty sweet. However, I didnt like the reduction in sub bass, so I dont have it anymore. Still a bit torn about that one.
     

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