[ytisawfulnow]

My expectations aren't too high considering both are very cheap but is the Fiio E11 significantly better sounding than the E6 or not really worth the extra 20 or 30 dollars.
Thanks...

 

[skafle]

You'll probably get a better response in the portable amplifier forum, I think most people would say that the E11 is worth the upgrade over the E6 if you're willing to pay for it.

 

[Vheissu]

 
From the reviews I've read, the E11 has significantly less distortion when paired with very high impedance headphones compared to the E6. It's also supposed to have a more level bass boost, with two settings, instead of on/off for the E6.
 
I have the E11 myself, but if your headphones' impedance isn't around 300+ ohms and you aren't a basshead, the E6 would probably be fine. It's small size certainly is attractive.

 

[stv014]

Quote:

My expectations aren't too high considering both are very cheap but is the Fiio E11 significantly better sounding than the E6 or not really worth the extra 20 or 30 dollars.

 
It depends on what headphones you intend to use. But here is a table that compares the performance of the amplifiers, maybe you will find this information useful:
 

[size=small]Measurement[/size]	FiiO E6	FiiO E5	FiiO E11	[size=small]O2[/size]	[size=small]AMB Mini3[/size]
[size=small]Frequency Response[/size]	+/- 0.5 dB A	+0/-3 dB C	+/- 0.1 dB A	[size=small]+/- 0.1 dB A[/size]	[size=small]+/- 0.1 dB A[/size]
Phase Error 100-10K	4 deg	N/A	4 deg	< 1 deg	< 1 deg
[size=small]THD 1 Khz 150 Ohms[/size]	0.008% A	N/A	0.004% A	[size=small]0.0016% A[/size]	[size=small]0.002% A[/size]
[size=small]THD 1 Khz 15 Ohms[/size]	0.03% C	0.012% B	0.011% B	[size=small]0.0023% A[/size]	[size=small]0.017% B[/size]
[size=small]THD 20 hz 15 Ohms[/size]	0.1% C	0.7% D	0.017% B	[size=small]0.0023% A[/size]	[size=small]0.01% B[/size]
[size=small]THD 10 Khz 15 Ohms[/size]	0.04% C	0.05% C	0.011% B	[size=small]0.010% A[/size]	[size=small]0.45% F[/size]
[size=small]IMD CCIF 15 Ohms[/size]	0.006% C*	N/A	0.002% A	[size=small]0.001% A[/size]	[size=small]0.043% D[/size]
[size=small]IMD SMPTE[/size]	0.019% C	0.006% A	0.0079% A	[size=small]0.002% A[/size]	[size=small]0.009% B[/size]
[size=small]Noise A-Wtd[/size]	-95.2 dBu	-93.8 dBu	-101.3 dBu B	[size=small]-114 dBu A[/size]	[size=small]-103.2 dBu B[/size]
[size=small]Max Output 15 Ohms[/size]	122 mW A	108 mW A	63 mW B	[size=small]337 mW A[/size]	[size=small]104 mW A[/size]
[size=small]Max Output 33 Ohms[/size]	59 mW C	N/A	101 mW C	[size=small]613 mW A[/size]	[size=small]98 mW C[/size]
[size=small]Max Output 150 Ohms[/size]	24 mW D	N/A	52 mW C	[size=small]355 mW A[/size]	[size=small]38 mW C[/size]
[size=small]Output Impedance[/size]	0.25	0.7	0.5 Ohms A	[size=small]0.54 Ohms A[/size]	[size=small]0.9 Ohms A[/size]
[size=small]Crosstalk 15 Ohms[/size]	48 dB B	46 dB B	48 dB B	[size=small]65 dB A[/size]	[size=small]40 dB C[/size]
[size=small]Channel Balance[/size]	< 0.1 dB	N/A	1.1 dB B	[size=small]0.6 dB A[/size]	[size=small]1.14 dB B[/size]
Battery Life	10 hr rated	?	~10 hr rated	~8 hrs / ~30 hrs	~5 hours

 

 

[IEMCrazy]

I've never heard E6, but I can say +1 for E11.  I've tried it with 3 IEMs and one set of cans.  For the UE TF10's and Klipsch x10's they sound fantastic on it (much better than stock iPod Touch output when using LOD), for the Sure SE535 theres a lot of background hiss.  They're very sensitive IEMs, and most amps leave a hiss in them, but with music playing it does sound excellent (and better than stock iPod.)
 
E11 has the power to drive HD650s to very good volume at mid-way up the dial.  I prefer the sound signature to my Headroom Micro Amp ($350) when paired with HD650s, though neither compare, even closely, to my Lyr for those. 
 
So E11 is definitely a capable amp and IMO, comparing the paper specs I'd splurge for the E11...it's a good amp that so long as batteries are available could take you very high into the realm of cans before the "need" of a serious upgrade would be your next limitation.  But whether there's an audible difference between E6 and E11 probably depends on how demanding your headphones are.
 

 

[headphonereview]

Just to add to this a bit, it's not just about specs.  I have the E6, E11, and the E17 and they all have slightly different sound signatures.  The E6 really isn't that great of a headphone amplifier in terms of sound quality.  The biggest factor here is that it modifies the frequency bands too much - basically just about every setting on the E6 modifies either the bass or the midrange and there's nothing balanced, so using this on headphones such as the ATH-M50's (which are just about perfectly balanced), you lose the quality that you're used to while adding more juice to go louder.  There's no denying that there's a lot of features for a product that costs roughly $30, but the E11 is leaps and bounds better than the E6 in terms of sound quality.  It is ALMOST flat on the 0 EQ setting (with an ever so slight bump in the bass regions that gives it a richer bass sound, but not boomy) and then the bass just gets stronger as you bump the EQ to 1 or 2.  Hands down, I would spend the extra $35 and get the E11.  

 

[ytisawfulnow]

Idk about amping the ATH M50, they're pretty easy to drive already.

 

[clarknova]

Quote:

Idk about amping the ATH M50, they're pretty easy to drive already.

This. I've used them on my iPhone 4 and they already sound great without an amp. When I pass them through my Fiio E7 there really isn't any kind of difference (maybe a SLIGHT amount of deeper bass , really not something you would notice unless you forced yourself to pick it out).

 

[headphonereview]

They do sound great without an amp, but the max vol of my iPhone is just moderately loud on the M50's, and putting an amp on there does open them up (at least in terms of the E11 and the E17).  I've not had a chance to try out the E7 so I don't know how it's signature differs from the other two.  For what it's worth, I, and several of my friends have tried the M50's with both these amps and a majority feel like the M50's paired with the E11 is a glorious combo.

 

[musiclover666]

I have the E11 and it is a great little amp for the money. It will drive pretty much anything I throw at it, and do it fairly well.

 

[Crey23]

So I have a real quick question....
 
I have a pair of Thinksound ts02+mic and really like them on the phone where I can adjust the sound curve, but when listening form my laptop (Lenovo T420), the warm sound (bass) really begins to out shine the rest of the range.  The Bass while not thumpy, it certainly has more presence.  
 
So I was about to order the E6 for portability, but most likely I will not use it much on my cell phone given that I will not be able to use the mic (or will I?), nor the music controls.  The E11 makes more sense for a non-movable option....but I am not sure how much bass will it add.
 
From what I understand the E6 had 4 setting: Flat, Bass boost, Mid/High Boost, and all boost.  The E11 on the other hand seems to have only 3 settings: Flat, Bass Boost, Bass/Mid Boost.  I think for the sound signature of the TS02, the E11 will just exacerbate  that signature in the mow and low/mid section.
 
So the question....given what I have explained, which of the two amp offer a better and balanced sound in the mids/highs?
 
Thanks!!!

 

[headphonereview]

The E6 colors the sound quite a bit.  Yes, it has four settings and depending on which headphones I'm using with them, it has 2 that are good and two that aren't.  And it really does depend on the headphones.  The E11 does a wonderful job of being pretty neutral to the mids and highs when in the EQ 0 setting.  You say that your headphones are very bass heavy, but if you like the mids and highs they offer, then the E11 would be a fantastic choice if you just need more juice for volume.  I like the E6, but it's not even close in neutrality to the E11, and really does have to be tried with each set of headphones to see if it will fit the bill.

 

[wburton]

doesnt the e6 have a brighter sound? my headphones are great everywhere but the treble is a little lacking, will the e6 help?

 

[wburton]

please delete this. replied in wrong thread

 

[newphones]

I'm fine with buying either amp.
 
The key thing for me is, I definitely want to avoid any audible hiss. I'll be listening at well below 60 dBA. I trust hiss will be inaudible at this low listening volume?