B&O Beoplay H6 (2nd generation)

This is my review I put on amazon uk. I have many sets of headphones, ranging from a few pounds to the famous Sennheiser HD650 currently £319 on Amazon. I have been disappointed over the years with what I have heard . Now I have finally found one set that is great. That is the B&O H6. Other headphones might have a flatter frequency response, better dynamic range etc. The one thing that is important to me is musicality, and that is where the B&O H6 wins. I agree my HD650 phones are technically better, but from a musicality point they lose out. I have been trying to find the flattest frequency response and the closest to the ‘real world sound’ as possible for a long time. This sounds great on paper, but on listening, the emotion, the passion, the feeling of the music has been left behind to produce a sterile flat response which is devoid of that word, emotion. These headphones have emotion and feeling in bucket loads. I have listened to a whole album for the first time in many a year today. I normally skip from track to track to convince myself that my new headphones are better than the last ones I bought. The treble is a bit better here, the bass is a bit better there. With these I hear everything so clear and with feeling, from the lowest lows to the highest highs, it’s difficult to describe in words how good these are. I always thought B&O were over priced and also the sound was not as good as I could get elsewhere for the same money. I am happy to be wrong.

I am sure we are all trying to find the ultimate sound and we believe a lot what we read on the internet. I was SO convinced that the HD650 headphones were the ultimate. Don’t get me wrong these are great headphones. But like I said in my review above, I was so intent in getting so called real, accurate sound that I had got lost in all the hype and believing that all I read online was correct . It is allowed to disagree with each other, but for me I have finally found a set of headphones that make music, not just play the notes. There is a BIG difference.
By the way. I use these with the ifi micro idsd and they definitely sound a lot better than direct from my iPhone or iPad.

I've had a short history with headphones. My first pair of good headphones were the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. I will mostly be comparing these two.
 
These headphones are much more better looking, fold flat (saving space in my bag), and are lighter than the Audio-Technica.
 
In terms of sound, the H6 are a clearly a level above. I can hear outstanding separation of the instruments, which I never quite got with the Audio-Technica. I've been listening to some songs/albums I consider to be recorded well, and I'm blown away by the sound, constantly finding myself smiling foolishly while I discover rich bass, beautiful highs, and really textured voices. If you get them, raise the volume to a decent level and listen to:
 
- Wish you were here, Pink Floyd
- Live in Paris, Diana Krall
- Layla, from MTV Unplugged album, by Eric Clapton (I thought someone was stomping on the floor to my left with the intro)
- Thriller, Michael Jackson
- In Rainbows, Radiohead
- Riot On An Empty Street, Kings of Convenience
- Mezzanine, Massive Attack (Teardrop... wow)
- Becoming Insane, Infected Mushroom
- Withe Flag, Dido
 
In terms of comfort, I must say that my left ear is always unaware of the fact that I´m wearing headphones, but the top of my right ear always hurts after a few minutes. I blame the fact that my ear size is different (?) and the ear pads are not that big. I wish more headphones had the pads of cans like the Sony MDR-XB500.
 
Build-quality-wise, I love the materials, but they are not perfect. For starters, the headband is not as comfortable as it could be. It's a little bit more on the stiff side, with very little padding. And the really disappointing piece is the cable. Flimsy, with bad stress relief, and remote only works with Apple products. I can see why many people recommend buying another cable for the H6s. The cable on my Audio-Technica is miles better, if heavier and less portable.
 
Furthermore, it seems like the H6 used to come with a velour pouch for transportation. This is no longer the case (I´ve seen people complaining of this, and the box doesn't list the pouch in its contents). Not such a big deal, but it would be nice to have something to at least cover them. That said, they are $300 now, from the previous $400 they used to go for.
 
Overall, I am very happy with my purchase. I get great sound, in a portable package, with very decent construction, at a fair price. If this is what you are looking for, look no further.

Some quick and early impressions here. I'm comparing these mostly to my other closed set of headphones, the NAD Viso HP50.
 
You get a *little* more clarity and detail, bigger and more impactful bass with more extension, much better instrument separation, and better-looking cans. 
 
What do you lose? Well, if there's one downfall for the H6s, it's that vocals are thin and a little recessed. That's really the only major con for the sound in comparison to the HP50s.
 
I'd consider the HP50s to be slightly more neutral. But the weakness of the HP50s is that the bass doesn't extend right down, nor does it have much impact. Whereas the H6s are one of those cans where the extension of the bass right down can really make you *feel* it. And the strength/weakness of the HP50 is that there's a little less impact, so they're less fatiguing than the H6.  
 
Perhaps the HP50s also have a tad larger soundstage. A few more moments where you think there's someone standing behind you in the room, but both possess a reasonable soundstage for a *closed* headphone. But I wouldn't trade the soundstage given that the HP50s are also a touch muddier and a touch more congested (as I mentioned regarding detail and clarity and instrument separation).
 
Sound leakage is a little worse on the H6s, but neither are terrible. I have a super-quiet office, and I can still get to medium volumes on both without bugging other people.
 
Now, to put thing in perspective, my Fidelio X2s still best the H6. Yes, the X2s are a little grainier in the mids/trebles (the H6s can definitely be described as 'smooth'), but the X2s still have more clarity, detail, bass impact, better vocals, etc. (They do have the advantage of being open-backed headphones, after all.) I feel like the H6 from both a sound and quality perspective, sit between the X2s and HP50s.
 
So, what I'm telling you is that the H6 are very, very good for a CLOSED headphone at this price without performing any miracles. They're my favourite closed headphone. Are they better on a dollar-for-dollar basis than the HP50s? No. Both are priced about right regarding sound quality, I think. It's a matter of how much you wish to spend.
 
However, do also take into account that the H6s are better built and better looking than the HP50s. 

I know, I know. The headline, "Pound for pound, probably the best headphone in the world" is a strong statement. So let me qualify it with:
 
For my tastes and requirements, pound for pound, probably the best headphone in the world that I've tried.
 
There. That should silence a few critics.
 
So a brief explanation of my journey to the H6. I've tried a lot of headphones. I mean, A LOT. I've tried to leave as many stones unturned as possible - even giving Dr Dre the benefit of the doubt (I needn't have). In my 2 years of searching for a headphone that suited me, the highlight was a trip down to the Hifi Lounge in Lincolnshire for a day of listening to various high end headphones and amps including (but not limited to) Sennheiser HDVA600 / HD800S combo, Beyerdynamic T5P / A2 combo, Hifiman Edition X / HE560, Audeze LCD2 / 3 / X, Mr Speakers Ether / Ether C, Trilogy 931, and Burson Soloist. I'd also previously been to a Peter Tyson to audition Stax SRM-353X / SR-L700 and the Oppo PM-1 / HA-1. Out of the above, I was most impressed with the Sennheiser combo but felt that it was too analytical for everyday enjoyment, and that the Hifiman Edition X / Trilogy 931 was the combo I wanted. One thing led to another, and the purchase didn't happen.
 
This left me in a position where I needed to downscale the budget, but having heard these high end combos it was always going to be hard to meet my expectations.
 
With a budget cap of £300, I exhausted all the obvious avenues. I knew I wanted over ears, and that because of the environment they'd be used in they'd have to be closed. My trip to the B&O shop was purely a spare of the moment thing - I had some time to kill.
 
The B&O experience hasn't really changed since I was a teenager - an emphasis on design, and Scandinavian design at that. They offer a combination of some truly beautiful and some exceptionally odd looking products - TVs that follow you around the room, speakers that look like gigantic brass statues and stereos that look like they should be in a Ridley Scott film. Fine - if you like that sort of thing.
 
B&O also have a sort of sub brand called Beoplay - it's a sort of psuedo consumer / mobile offering. It's still big on aesthetics and claims to be big on sound, so I decided I'd give it a try.
 
As I said, I wanted some over the ear cans. What I didn't mention is that I have no need for wireless, noise cancelation, iPhone / Android remotes and such like. It's all stuff to go wrong and for me it just gets in the way of the pure music pleasure. The shop didn't have an H6 to try, just the H8 wireless model. The sales rep assured me it's the same chassis and drivers, just with the extra gubbins for wireless use (as well as the DAC and amplifiers which the sales rep didn't seem to be aware of). Quite how much this would colour the sound, I don't know, but I auditioned the H8 anyway (well I was already in the shop).
 
I was truly blown away. For example, the H8 was placing Jack Savoretti's vocals in "Catapault" in an entirely new light I'd never heard before - with texture and detail on a different level. The strings took on a new life in a completely different space, layer upon layer of musicality. I actually found myself smiling in the shop. Moving on to something a bit more upbeat, Foo Fighter's Saint Cecilia started out seemingly bright, but as I would learn with the H8 (and then the H6) the frequencies were being played correctly without any colouration from other frequencies. As soon as the guitars and drums kick up there's a warmth and depth to the H8 that compliments the upper frequencies beautifully. Long story short, I auditioned a few more tracks and then began the task of trying to find out if indeed the H6 was a wired H8. I don't care what anyone says, it's not. There's just too much going on in the H8 for it to simply be "wireless H8". Various reviews have called the H6 bright, and lacking in bass. I can confirm that this is utter, utter nonsense. I have a pair of Sony MDR-950XB which I use for the gym and flying (the extra bass helps cut out the obvious background noise) so I know what overtly (and messy) bass headphones can sound like. The H6 has plenty of bass but here's the thing - it's controlled and textured and relevant. It's there because that's what was recorded. It's not necessarily what I'd call coloured and emphasised, but it is certain on a level pegging with the mids and trebles. 
 
So on to the H6 itself...
 
Packaging
The B&O packaging is great but not over the top. The outer is a stiff board box with print to all sides, and the inner box slides slowly out due to a tight, precise fit. Inside the lower box is a soft lined tray that the H6 sits in, with the cups turned in. And under the tray - premium smart phone style cardboard compartments containing a faux suede bag and the cable. It's a good start in terms of customer experience.
 
Build
These things are well built. The headband is aluminium covered in leather. The earcups are a mix of premium plastic, aluminium and calfskin. With the exception of the thin cable and silly remote, everything feels premium. They are built to last. Imagine Dr Dre Beats Studios, and now think of the exact opposite. There you go - premium. No creaking plastic here.
 
Looks
Those sporting open backed planar headphones might argue these are fashion headphones designed for the iPod generation, and I can see their point. However, there's no excuse for headphones at any price point to not look good - it's not a fashion statement anymore. B&O, depending on your taste of course, have always had an eye for design. However, these aren't typical B&O headphones (think B&O Form headphones for example). To me, these don't look a million miles away from something Beyerdynamic might design. They also age nicely, from what I've seen on the Internet. Various YouTube videos exist showing how the gracefully the H6 ages - the leather scuffs up and takes on a vintage look. They are available in the natural leather / silver I have and also a black leather / black version. I think the black version looks a little boring but again, it's a matter of taste.
 
Comfort
The H6 has a reasonable clamp force. Not Audeze clamp force, but not Hifiman Edition X loose. Tight enough to stay on your head, loose enough for long periods of listening. But again, this will be personal choice and head size. I'd suggest trying it first. But for me, they're great.
 
Accessories
As mentioned, you get a suede effect bag with a drawstring (which is nice even if it won't protect against drops and bangs), and a flimsy cable with Apple compatible inline remote. Now to me, the absolute worst device to listen to music on is a phone - particularly an iPhone. I didn't even bother unwrapping this cable. It's still in the box. Instead, I bought a premium cable for the H6 from a shop in the UK called "Sounds Heavenly". The reason I chose these is because of the H6 design. The 3.5mm jack socket is recessed in the headphone (one on each side so you can daisy chain the headphone - not sure why you'd want to but still). Normal upgrade cables simply don't fit. This isn't a good choice by B&O in my opinion. I hate anything restrictive like this, especially when it's for not good reason.
 
Sound
Usually, I can categorise headphones - bright, warm, musical, analytical, etc. And this is based on my own interpretation. For example, I don't find Stax headphones and energisers at all musical - I find them analytic and bright. Enjoyable in some instances, but certainly not something I'd want for my own use. I found it hard to categorise the H6 - they are extremely revealing and quite analytical, but at the same time highly musical and so so enjoyable. Many suggest that the upper ranges of the H6 is it's party piece. And whilst I disagree with that notion, they truly do sparkle. There's no sibilance to speak of, no fatiguing, just lots of sparkle. Mids are not prominent either, but they are there with change to spare. And if you think that this means the bass is somehow lacking, you'd be wrong - in particular the sub bass which is textured and musical - in other words it's not just there for the sake of it like a consumer headphone might sound. The soundstage has pretty good width and depth for a closed back headphone, and the detail is very surprising. I'm still hearing new things in my favourite music now.
 
Conclusion
If you're expecting the H6 to sound like the aforementioned Sennheiser combo or a Hifiman Edition X, you'd be mistaken. But the H6 is a fraction of the cost. I have honestly fallen in love with the H6 so much that I have ended my search for a highend headphone. The musicality, the comfort, the build and the design is of such quality that I am prepared to have the H6 as my one and only pair of serious listening headphones. They will shortly be joined (hopefully) by a Rega Planar 3 turntable and some Graham Slee phono and amplification magic for listening to at home, but at the moment they are permanently jacked into my FiiO H5 ii.
 
Seriously - audition these. For those on a budget they are the perfect all rounder. For those with high end cans at home, these are great as a second pair or for mobile applications.

Intro
I've been searching for a pair of headphones to use on commutes for years. I started with the Skullcandy Hesh in middle school which broke after several months. After that i came across Head-fi and discovered the ATH M50. I then "upgraded" to the Sennheiser Momentums, which finally ended up failing after 2 years. 

I am happy to say that after a lot of searching I have found not only an upgrade to the momentums, but virtually the best headphones i've heard at/under $400 (CAD) used straight out of my iPhone.
 
Comfort
They're very lightweight and don't bother me even after 3-4 hours of use. The leather ear pads are soft and comfortable with a good amount of space for your ears. They also do really good job of not making your ears sweaty like with most closed headphones. Overall more comfortable than any other closed headphone I've tried.
 
My only nitpick is that you can still always feel that you have the ear cups around your ears so they're great but not quite 10/10 plush and heavenly level. 
 
Design
These headphones have a small frame and footprint so they feel a bit fragile when held but they are made of quality materials like leather and METAL so durability shouldn't be an issue.  The cable it comes with is detachable and a bit flimsy but otherwise fine. In terms of looks these are pretty low profile but i have caught myself staring at the detail and craftsmanship of these simple yet elegant looking headphones resting on a table or a bed.
 
Isolation is pretty average for a closed headphone. With music on you'll drown out most of your environment. Noise leakage isn't really an issue when used outside but in quieter settings with no other sounds to drown out it out, people around you will definitely hear your music even at moderate volumes.The only other knock is for the fact that despite being $400 headphones, these do NOT feel like $400 headphones. They're so small and lightweight that they lack a substantial premium feeling that is immediately present in headphones like The Master & Dynamic MH40 and B&W P7.
 
Sound
Sound quality is where this headphone really shines. While the two previously mentioned headphones focused on looking and feeling luxurious (they are also $400) they also skimped on sound.
With these headphones you get fully extended highs AND lows (sub-bass) while ALSO getting soundstage, comfort, and a natural sound.
 
The highs are very detailed so you'll hear things in your music you may not have noticed before while also not being sharp or sibilant. The sub-bass is fully extended so you can physically feel the rumble in songs with low reaching bass. The low to sub-bass is pretty punchy, and definitely boosted unlike the 1st gen H6 headphones which were bass light. It's nowhere near basshead level but it's enough of a boost to irk flat-frequency lovers. The average isolation and noise leakage seem to be trade-offs for one of the best soundstage and imaging presentations of any closed headphone. They almost sound like open headphones, almost. 

Now, like all other headphones including the ones that go for $1000 - $3000, there will always be flaws and this one is no exception. These headphones seem to be lacking a little bit of "oomph" in mid-bass and vocals, more noticeably in male vocals. The mid-bass and vocals are a little hollow. The recession isn't HUGE but it's enough to be noticeable. You can try EQing to fix this by raising the 100 /150 - 300 hz up some dB and it works well enough. 
 
Value
By far one of the best value for headphones in general offering the least compromises.
 
Personal overall ranking of the headphones i've tried: ATH-M50 > ATH-M50X > Momentum 1 > H6 1st Gen => B&W P7 > Master & Dynamic MH40 > Fidelio X2 (open) > H6 2nd Gen