The Hifiman HE600 and the Sendy Audio Egret are two recently launched full-size planar magnetic headphones. Both are currently priced at around 799 USD.
Hifiman has been a major player in the planar magnetic headphone market since the HE-5 in 2009 and has released a wide range of models over the years. Sendy Audio, a sub-brand of Sivga, launched its first planar headphone, the Aiva, in 2019, and has released only a few planar magnetic models.
The HE600 builds on the legacy of the highly successful and now legendary HE-6, while the Egret appears to be an evolution of the Aiva and Aiva 2.
HIFIMAN HE600 SPECIFICATIONS
- Open-back full-size headphones.
- Driver: Planar Magnetic
- Impedance: 28 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 94dB
- Frequency response: 8Hz-65kHz
- Cable: 1.5m basic black cable
- Cable connectors: dual 3.5mm
- Cable termination: 3.5mm – Adapter to 6.35 mm included
- Weight: 389g
Current price and availability:
SENDY EGRET SPECIFICATIONS
- Open-back full-size headphones.
- Driver: Planar Magnetic
- Driver dimensions: 98 x 84 mm.
- Frequency response: 20Hz to 40kHz.
- Sensitivity: 95dB (+/-3dB).
- Impedance: 24 Ohms
- Cable: Detachable silver-plated copper
- Cable connectors: dual 3.5mm
- Cable termination: 4.4mm – Adapters to 3.5 and 6.35 mm jacks included
- High density black American walnut housing
- Weight: 443 grams.
Current price and availability:
- AliExpress: Sendy Egret
BUILD AND COMFORT
Hifiman has always been known for delivering excellent sound quality with its headphones, but its reputation for build quality and quality control has not been as strong. Sivga and Sendy Audio, on the other hand, are known for their excellent build quality.
When comparing the two headphones, it is clear that they come from manufacturers with different philosophies regarding design and build quality. The HE600 is minimalist and feels similar to Hifiman’s more affordable models, while the Egret features a more elaborate design and feels more premium and solid.
The HE600 features a newly designed headband that works well, but it falls short compared to the Sendy headband, which is used on many models from Sendy and Sivga. In my opinion, it is the best headband design and construction currently available in the headphone world.
The pads are also worth mentioning. The HE600 uses Hifiman’s hybrid FocusPads, which are circular and fairly standard. The HE600 is compatible with a wide range of circular pads if you use Hifiman’s classic attachment ring in combination with “lip-and-groove”-mounting pads.
The Sendy Egret also uses a lip-and-groove attachment system, but the groove is much tighter, and the pads are oval. Another notable aspect is the pad design. They are asymmetrical and ergonomically shaped, which may suit some users very well but may not fit everyone equally comfortably.
Finally, the cable. Both headphones use dual 3.5 mm connectors on the ear cups, which is great. The HE600 comes with a disappointing appr. 1.5 m black cable that looks and feels very basic and terminates in a 3.5 mm plug. I ended up using one of my own cables, which you can see in the pictures.
The Sendy Egret, on the other hand, includes a beautifully designed 1.8 m, braided cable with a wooden Y-split and an overall premium feel. The cable terminates in a 4.4 mm plug.
Overall, the Egret is a far more impressive-looking headphone that feels premium in every aspect. However, it is also heavier and larger, while the HE600 is unusually compact for a high-end planar headphone.
Thanks to its excellent headband and soft pads, I find the Egret very comfortable despite its weight and size. The HE600 is comfortable as well; its lighter weight has its advantages.
LISTENING COMPARISONS
I compared these two headphones on the Topping A90 amplifier, as I happen to have two units, which makes it convenient. The A90 is a solid all-rounder and never sounds bad.
However, I believe both headphones perform noticeably better with certain other amplifiers like the Woo WA22 tube amp or the Bryston BHA-1. Still, the A90 is much less costly, does a good job, and is likely more representative of what most users would pair them with.
Associated equipment:
- Amplifier: Topping A90
- DAC: RME ADI-2 DAC FS
Terminal 7 by Tomasz Stanko
The HE600 is more spacious sounding, with greater distance between the instruments. The Egret is more intimate but somewhat more dynamic. Their tonal balance is quite similar, yet they remain distinct. Both are fairly neutral with good midrange presence and a bit of crispness.
Come Away With Me by Norah Jones
The vocals are more upfront and quite intense with the Egret, creating a more intimate presentation, like standing on stage with the musicians. The HE600 provides a more distance and is a bit less energetic.
Eye of the Day by Marta del Grandi
The vocals are beautiful and quite intense with the Egret. The HE600 is somewhat more toned down and distant in comparison. The soundstage is larger, but I must say I really like the way the Egret presents the music.
Take On Me MTV Unplugged by a-ha
Morten Harket’s vocals aren’t as intense with the Egret as the previous female vocalists. They’re still more distant with the HE600, losing some of the immediacy. Again, the music is much more up close with the Egret but the HE600 sounds very good too.
Hello Dave by Michael Wollny
I really like the intimate and energetic, midrange-focused presentation of the Egret here. The HE600 again sounds more distant, slightly drier, and less dynamic.
Escape Route by Boris Blank
The Egret is a bit thicker in the midbass, and the mids are more intense. The HE600 is in many ways relatively similarly tuned, but it sounds drier. If soundstage size is very important to you, the Egret isn’t ideal, but I find it extremely engaging and it conveys the music in an excellent manner. The HE600 is, however, more “neutral”.
Spontaneous Compositorius by Thomas Agergard
The Egret has very nice tonality and feels nicely balanced. The bright percussion is crisp and clear. It should satisfy treble heads, but it’s not overly sharp or piercing. With the HE600, the saxophone is a bit less upfront and the midbass more polite. The treble is even brighter than with the Egret here.
It Could Be Sweet by Portishead
This sounds very good on the HE600. The bass is detailed yet nicely rounded, very neutral in presence. Vocals are delicate without sibilance. Imaging is good. The Egret is also good. The midbass is more present, and vocals are more energetic. It sounds more organic and, as always, less spacious.
Vicarious by Tool
This sounds much meatier and fuller with the Egret. The HE600 lacks presence in comparison, becoming distant and a bit dry.
Young Vivaldi by Modo Antiquo
The tone and timbre are quite different. The HE600 is more distant but also feels more refined. The Egret is very upfront and might be perceived as overly energetic in direct comparison.
Summer 3 Vivaldi Recomposed by Max Richter
The HE600 has great detail and excellent separation. It sounds refined and balanced. The Egret sounds thicker and less delicate, a bit busy. It’s not bad, but when compared, the HE600 is better.
Woodpecker by Tingvall Trio
The piano is very crisp and upfront with the Egret, almost shimmering. The Egret sounds very energetic, for better and worse. The HE600 is calmer and more grounded, more neutral.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
I don’t measure headphones and I cannot find good measurements online. I would really like to see a frequency response curve comparison between these two. They sound similar but also very different. They are both pretty neutral, but not in the same way. It is obvious that their frequency curves have some ups and downs that do not align. I suspect the HE600 has the straighter, more even curve of the two.
Anyway, neither have basshead levels of bass, but the Egret has more pronounced midbass. The midrange is more upfront and energetic with the Egret, but the HE600 isn’t recessed. Both have treble that’s not laid back.
Treble
Both have quite bright treble with a high detail level. The treble feels more articulate and richer with the Egret. It sounds thinner but also often brighter with the HE600.
Midrange
The midrange of the Egret is very upfront and sometimes straight out intense. It can sound thick and warm but still have lots of detail. Sometimes it can be a bit much and sound a bit off – strings and piano can sound rather hard and aggressive.
The midrange of the HE600 is more distant in comparison, but in absolute terms it is nicely present. In direct comparison to the Egret, it often feels less engaging, but on its own it is adequately present and depending on the track, it can sound more refined and calm. In general, the HE600 offers a more laid back listening experience.
Bass
Both have relatively neutral bass quantity and excellent bass quality and extension. The Egret has more midbass, leading to a more full-bodied sound.
Soundstage and Imaging
The soundstage is quite different. On its own, the Egret sounds open but also intimate. Directly compared to the HE600, however, the Egret is very intimate sounding. The HE600 is much more spacious, although it’s still not super-spacious in absolute terms (compared to the e.g. the XS or HD800)
Detail, Dynamics, and Timbre
In general, I find the detail level to be quite comparable, but which subjectively sounds more detailed and articulate depends a bit on the track. Usually the Egret has more expressive and articulate detail, while the HE600 is more refined and relaxed sounding, but also a bit dry.
I generally find the Egret to sound more dynamic and energetic, with stronger macrodynamics as well as microdynamics. On its own, the HE600 isn’t lacking, but when directly compared it feels flatter.
When it comes to timbre, the HE600 is generally drier, more neutral, and relaxed sounding. The Egret is often much more upfront and more energetic. Which of the two feels more natural and is more engaging depends on the track and definitely on subjective preference.
CONCLUSION
In many ways, this comparison was a bit difficult because these two headphones are “similar but different.” It is hard to describe the differences in a way that captures it fully.
The most obvious and largest sonic difference between the two is the soundstage. The Egret is quite intimate – but not closed. It’s like the Sennheiser HD650; the music is mostly in your head. The HE600 isn’t the widest headphone I’ve heard, but it sounds significantly larger than the Egret.
Broadly speaking, the detail level is pretty similar between the two. The Egret is more dynamic and more upfront, energetic. The HE600 is more neutral and “flatter” sounding. Mostly I found the Egret’s way of playing music very engaging, but sometimes I prefer the more refined and relaxed character of the HE600.
I can certainly recommend both headphones for what they are, but it is hard for me to pick a favorite.
However, when it comes to build quality and finish, there is no contest. The Egret is at a level no Hifiman headphone, regardless of price, has ever been.
Thanks for reading. You can support us by purchasing anything using any of our affiliate links.
- AliExpress: Sendy Egret
- Amazon: HE600
- AliExpress: HE600
Any purchase you make on Amazon or Linsoul with any of our affiliate links will give us a small provision at no cost to you.
We only get a provision for items that are not returned, so there’s no incentive for us to recommend something that’s not good.
Linsoul : Headphones, Earbuds, Wireless Earbuds, Desktop DAC/AMP, Portable DAC/AMP, Digital Audio Players,
Amazon: Headphones, IEMs, Headphone Amplifiers, Home Audio or Anything else.
.
If you enjoyed this article or other content on The Headphoneer, you might consider leaving a small donation to keep this website up and running. No donation is too small. Thanks for supporting us!
If you like our work please follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter , it will help us grow. Sharing is caring 🙂
