The HE6SE and HE600 are both full-sized planar magnetic headphones from Hifiman. Both are heavily inspired by the legendary HE6.
The HE6SE, like the original, is rated with an extremely low sensitivity of 83.5 dB/mW and is often used with a speaker amplifier, powered via the speaker taps. The HE600, on the other hand, is rated at 94 dB/mW and is a much more comfortable load for normal headphone amplifiers.
Both are currently priced around 799 USD on Amazon: HE600 / HE6SE .
The HE6SE was manufactured in two versions. Version 1 has black cups and a headband with a strap, while Version 2 (Adorama) has dark blue cups with a padded headband. According to Hifiman, the drivers are the same, with only the color and headband differing. That said, there are reports that the two sound different, but this might also just be about unit variation or e.g. pad materials.
I used to own both the V1 and V2 without noticing large differences between them, but I never A/B compared them thoroughly with identical setups and/or mods.
In this test I only use the V2, which is modded with third party grills for reduced reflections and different pads. I’ll use identical pads on the HE600.
In this test I used the HE6SE V2, which is modded with third-party grills for reduced reflections, and different pads. I used identical pads on the HE600 (more about that below).
HIFIMAN HE600 SPECIFICATIONS
- Impedance: 28 ohms
- Sensitivity: 94 dB/mW
- Frequency response: 8Hz-65kHz
- Weight: 389g
Current price and availability:
- Amazon: Hifiman HE600
- AliExpress: Hifiman HE600
HIFIMAN HE6SE v2 SPECIFICATIONS
- Impedance: 50 Ohm
- Efficiency: 83.5 dB
- Frequency Response: 8Hz to 65 KHz
- Weight: 470 g
Current price and availability:
- Amazon: HE6SE
BUILD AND DESIGN
Both the HE6SE and the HE600 have circular cups and can use the same pads, as they share the same pad attachment mechanism. The HE6SE has thicker ear cups, while the HE600 is thinner and also 80 g lighter. The HE6SE has a detachable and replaceable grill (great for mods), while the HE600 has an integrated grill.
Another difference is the headband. The HE6SE V1 has a Sundara-style headband with a strap, while the HE6SE V2 has a padded headband without a strap. The HE600 has the new Gen.2 headband, which offers both a strap and better swivel action than the HE6SE variants. Both headphones use 3.5 mm connector sockets for attaching cables.
EAR PADS
Pads are a vital part of every headphone’s tuning. As I wasn’t sure I had the two headphones equipped with identical Hifiman pads, I chose to use two pairs of third party velour pads. They’re made by Beyerdynamic for the DT 770 and compatible headphones.
To attach the Beyer pads, you need a pair of adapter rings to wrap the attachment lip around. It’s a tight fit, but it works with some patience. Link: Hifiman Earpad Mounting Ring.
I find these pads to sound very good with both the HE6SE and the HE600, and in this test both are, as mentioned, equipped with these gray velour pads. I don’t think they change the sound signature much, but of course they sound slightly different from the stock pads.
AMPLIFIERS
In this comparison, I chose to use what I find are the optimal amplifiers available to me for each headphone. For the HE6SE, I prefer the Schiit Vidar 2 speaker amp. For the HE600, I really enjoy the Bryston BHA-1. The choice of amplifier matters the most for the HE6SE.
LISTENING COMPARISON
Associated equipment:
- Amp HE6SE: Schiit Vidar 2 speaker amp
- Amp HE600: Bryston BHA-1
- DAC: Ferrum Erco mk2
- Pads (both): Beyerdynamic velour pads DT770 type
In the Mountains by Espen Eriksen Trio
The HE600 sounds delicate and musical, with punchy bass and drums. The HE6SE has less bass presence but slightly better instrument separation. The piano is a bit more forward.
Eye of The Day by Marta del Grandi
The HE6SE has more energetic, forward vocals — they’re more intense. The HE600 is a bit more polite and has more bass. The HE6SE is more midrange-centric, while the HE600 has better balance. But they’re not very different.
Re-Melt by Tord Gustavsen Trio
The HE6SE sounds great — the percussion is very snappy, and the piano is forward but still delicate. The HE600 has a darker midrange and more bass. The percussion is not quite as snappy and energetic; it’s smoother sounding.
Sandermosen by Maridalen
They’re quite similar. The HE600 has more bass, while the HE6SE has a bit brighter midrange and a crisper, snappier overall feeling.
Spontaneous Compositorius by Thomas Agergard
The saxophone is a bit brighter with the HE6SE. Treble intensity is similar; neither is especially dark nor overly bright, and both have excellent treble resolution. The bass weight is relatively similar, but again, the HE600 is a bit more pronounced.
Teardrop by Massive Attack
The HE600 sounds excellent. I like the bass weight — it feels very well balanced. Vocals are smooth and delicate. In direct comparison, the HE6SE feels a bit bass-light, albeit with excellent quality, and the vocals aren’t as buttery.
The Hidden Camera by Photek
Here, they’re very similar. Again, the HE600 is slightly more bassy, but otherwise no big differences to report.
Dancing in the Dark by Jørgen Dahl Moe
Very similar. The vocals have a darker tint with the HE600.
Don’t Stay by Linkin Park
Also here, quite similar. The HE600 has a tad more bass and slightly darker mids.
Sujet Tabou by Renaudin and Cahours
This is a very explosive-sounding guitar and percussion duo. It sounds good on the HE600 but even more dynamic and explosive on the HE6SE.
Terminal 7 by Tomasz Stanko Quintet
This jazz piece is also very dynamic. The HE6SE is very snappy and spacious-sounding. The HE600 is smoother and more laid-back. Still very good, but not quite as energetic.
Maple Noise by Greene Serene
Yet another very dynamic jazz piece. Again, the HE600 is good, but the HE6SE is better in terms of dynamics. The HE600 is a bit darker and smoother, while the HE6SE is a bit more upfront with less warmth.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
The HE6SE and HE600 are quite close in terms of sound signature, but the HE600 has a bit more bass and slightly darker mids. Both are quite neutral, with a very linear bass profile.
Treble
The treble is very similar. It is nicely present and highly detailed on both, neither dark nor overly bright.
Midrange
I like the midrange of both, but in direct comparison, the HE600 has a darker and smoother tint, while the HE6SE is a bit brighter and more upfront. Neither is recessed.
Bass
The bass is excellent with both and sounds very linear all the way down. It is slightly more powerful with the HE600, adding some nice warmth.
Soundstage and Imaging
Mostly, they are very similar in both soundstage size and imaging capabilities; however, I occasionally find that the HE6SE offers better imaging, with better separation of instruments.
Detail, Dynamics, and Timbre
Mostly, I find them quite comparable in terms of detail level. When it comes to dynamics, even though the HE600 is quite good, the HE6SE often feels more snappy and energetic.
With regard to timbre, they’re close. The HE6SE tends to be a tad crisper and more forward in the mids. The treble is very similar, though slightly smoother with the HE600. The bass is also smoother – and a bit fuller and warmer – with the HE600.
CONCLUSION
In my setup, there were some differences in tonality between the HE600 and the HE6SE. As you might remember, I used identical third-party pads on both sets but different amps. In my experience, these choices don’t affect the relative differences between the two headphones.
In short, the HE600 has more bass and darker mids, while the HE6SE is tighter and crisper, with more upfront mids.
Soundstage size is very similar between the two, and imaging is quite comparable, though the HE6SE can be a bit better depending on the track. What I consistently found to be objectively better with the HE6SE — albeit often by a small margin — was dynamics: it is a bit tighter and snappier when driven properly.
That said, I was actually surprised at how similar the two sound, and I have no clear, general preference for one over the other. I really like them both.
- Amazon: Hifiman HE600
- AliExpress: Hifiman HE600
- Amazon: HE6SE
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