Hypops
500+ Head-Fier
I just use online conversion tools to figure out the math for me. But it's good to be reminded why I let a computer do the calculation instead of doing it myself!Here‘s my personal thoughts, correct me if there's any error.
First, if we want to convert the peak output voltage to power, we need to use the formula P = (Veff)^2 / R, where Veff = Vp-p / (2 * sqrt(2))
Veff = 42 / (2 * sqrt(2)), and the result is Veff ≈ 14.85 V.
Then, putting this value back into the formula P = (Veff)^2 / R, assuming R is 32 ohms, we get P ≈ (14.85)^2 / 32 ≈ 6.89 W.
However, bare in mind that this is the result based on peak voltage, and in typical scenarios, amplifier does not continuously output its peak voltage in normal use.
Based on my personal experience, I'd say, yes, the HE6SE V2 isn't actually that hard to drive. It's not as challenging as you might think IF you simply want it to provide sufficient decibels. It's a headphone that if you feed it more power, you'll get more in return.
I once owned a GSX mk2, as a full-size amplifier, it could output 5 watts of pure Class A power into 50 ohms, however, I still felt that it couldn't fully uncover the potential of the HE6SE V2. Later, I bought a Rega Brio and used a poweramp to XLR adapter to connect it to the HE6SE V2, I feel that with the brio, the HE6SE V2 is presenting a completely different sound, it has far better dynamic; and the soundstage is remarkably larger, I could even say it's huge seriously, the soundstage is expanded to roughly two to three times its original size, almost unlike sound produced by a headphone
But the drawback driving he6se v2 with brio is that it won't provide you a vocal as smooth and refined as the GSX, or even most headphone amplifiers, on the contrary, vocal may appear somewhat rough
btw brio's second-hand price on ebay was only 1/4 of the GSX mk2's
And, yeah, your experience powering the HE6se v2 fits mine too. I'm always surprised by how little power it actually takes to get the HE6 moving, but once I give it more power, it just sounds more... ugh, I have to say it, confident. But my guess is that their more "confident" sound is mostly just the low end kicking into gear in a controlled way. Everything sounds fuller and faster when they're given a healthy bit of power.