HE-6 Loaner Program

[grokit]

 
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Where did Fang say that he will be changing them in sound and efficiency?  I don't see that anywhere here...
 
Fang, do you know if you're going to change the looks?  It would be a small bummer to spend a lot of time making nice photographs if they're going to get a new headband or something...  but still worth it I suppose.
 
I waited around for the HE6 today but it didn't show, looks like Monday.  

I'm pretty sure I remember that Fang's intentions in this regard were somewhat confirmed, but no mention was made of any cosmetic changes.
 
Looks like I will have them by the second week of October or so 

 

[Maxvla]

Rhythm: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/493214/hifiman-he-6-planar-headphone/225#post_6908876

 

[kool bubba ice]

It's done..Check the latest post..
 
 
 
 
 

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

What a tease!

 

[Frank I]

I am just about finished with the HE6 just some listening tomorrow and off they go. Natural Music shoot me a PM with your address.and ph so I can ship Tuesday

 

[jageur272]

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I am just about finished with the HE6 just some listening tomorrow and off they go. Natural Music shoot me a PM with your address.and ph so I can ship Tuesday

Don't forget that I'm after you Natural Music! Been working on these amp builds and I would hate to get skipped.  Just to make sure, these headphones are rated at 60 ohms DC?

 

[Zombie_X]

Is it far too late to join the program? I live in Wisconsin...

 

[immtbiker]

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They'll never figure it out with steps 1 and 2 missing.

That's my version of red nail polish! 

 

[Frank I]

I havent heard from either Natural Music or Jaguer who wants these phones. I will ship them to Fang unless someone answers the PM and post.

 

[NaturalMusic]

I spoke with Frank I today. Thanks Frank for the call.
I should be recieving the HE-6 in New Jersey this Wed.
I will be listening to the HE-6 driven by a VAC preamp and a solid state Macintosh amp as well as with a Vacuum Tube Logic (VTL) amp. Both amps are 100 watts each.
I will also compare those configurations to my HE-LE Headphone and EF-5 Amp .

 

[Francoy]

Looking forward to Frank’s and Kool’s thoughts on these babys :¬)
 
Meanwhile, I put myself on the LCD-2 waiting list, so I’ve got a few weeks to ponder my He-6 vs LCD-2 dilemma...

 

[Frank I]

I have finished my time with the HE6 and this will be much different than impressions as I have done in the past regarding most headphones. I did all listening of the HE6 with my Outlaw 2150RR 100W receiver which drives my Maggie MMG's in my two channel system and the main source I used was both the Onkyo DX7555 CD for redbook and the Sony 999ES Sacd player. Most of the music I listened to ranged from jazz,classical,rock and many well recorded vocal recordings.  The only music I did not listen was electronic or metal so all the impressions that I heard were based on my music in a system I am very familiar with. I would like to than Fang for the opportunity to be involved in this program and for all he offers to this community. A first class act all the way. In regards to the HE6 it is very well constructed has substantial weight yet lighter than the LCD2. Comfortable is what I would describe the fit pretty much like the HE5LE that I have also listened too.  Being a Maggie owner I have been curious to see how a planar headphone would sound.  I see this headphone appealing to some and others well will pass on it because of the power requirements necessary to get the most out of these headphones. The other issue is portability. These need to be connected to a speaker amp terminal to perform at theie best and as my previous   head flier Warp used 6K worth of amplification to post some of the most positive impressions yet on these fine headphones.
 
The Outlaws had no issues and drove these very well and they were pretty balanced in the system and sound well. The first issue I encountered was that my room which is 13W X 20 was rather a challenge with the cable that it came with. I needed to move a chair close to my equipment rack for my audition. I would see most buyers using this in a similar setup so the cable was is way too short. I would need a 20FT cable to listen in my normal position. Not too practical for my situation as I would not want a cable that long floating in my living room. Fang need to really think about building a cable for the same type of situation. The other thing based on the review Warp did I believe you will need really expensive amplification and a A type of source to get the most out of them.  I believe these may work for some people while most head fliers would prefer the other top tier cans to listen to as they are easier to drive than the HE6. Make no mistake about it the more watts the better they sound as do most planars and I say most because the LCD2 is so much easier to drive and in a different class in my opinion.
 
Well describing the sound I would say they are well  balanced with a decent sound stage. The bass is deep and controlled and the treble is well extended and has a fine sheen or as some refer to as sparkly, I found no major faults in any of the spectrum. They also lacked some focus compared to the LCD2 and they did not have the space or debt of either the HD800 or the T1. The major thing I noticed vocal presentation was so much better on the LCD2 but then nothing else is close to the LCD2 in that regard. The transparency was fair with the HE6. I really at no time was ever knocked out by their presentation or sound. I thought they were a step below the other contenders in getting me involved  in the music. I kept finding myself wanting to return to my other headphones. I found them while being very well balanced and neutral they were also dull in their sound. They just never really got me going.  Its like I said I found not major faults but compared to all the other I have listened too I preferred all of them over the HE6 including the D7000. I am trying to be as honest as I can be. For me they did not work but like I have said in the past others hear differently and they be more suited to other people.
 
As for my conclusions I think this will a rough road. The major issue I see will people be willing to sacrifice convenience and better sound and the portability of all the other contenders for a speakerphone. AKG tried this in the past with the K1000 and failed even though many love the K1000.  For some it may work and hopefully Fang will have great success with them as no one has worked harder to support this community. These are only my opinions and there have been many positive reviews posted here and I truly did wished they worked for me. They are well built like a German tank with all quality parts put into it. They are very nicely balanced but the musicality was the issue for me and I am sure many others will really like these.. If you want balanced neutral with great highs and good bass these cans may fit with what your looking to accomplish. I would have like to have heard them with more focus and better space and imaging. But IMO all the others worked better for me. if you are looking for a headphone to play with your speaker amp these may work for you.

 

[kool bubba ice]

Thanks.. I'm trying to capture my thoughts carefully, so excuse the in progress tag. I really want to get this right as in many areas as I can.. The HE6 is in the top 3 headphones I ever heard..Just a inclination of things to come..) & Rythem, the HE6 is out for delivery.. I hope they arrive in great shape.
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Looking forward to Frank’s and Kool’s thoughts on these babys :¬)
 
Meanwhile, I put myself on the LCD-2 waiting list, so I’ve got a few weeks to ponder my He-6 vs LCD-2 dilemma...

 

[rhythmdevils]

A huge box just arrived!  Nice packing job KB!  Double boxed, and even the cables were bubble wrapped.  Yowzers. 
 
Unfortunately my computer crashed a couple days ago and until I get everything loaded onto the new one, I have no source! 

  Should be up tomorrow though.
 
So...I'm listening to them with my iphone right now.  I don't know what you're talking about these being hard to drive, they sound great!!! 

  Really, they do.  I'm at full volume though, and I only have one album on my phone- The Antlers, which has no bass or dynamics to speak of.  But it's rendering the slightly shrill, light sound of this album in a beautifully smooth and effortless way.  But I'll shut up before the head-fi police put a price on my head.

 

[warp08]

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As for my conclusions I think this will a rough road. The major issue I see will people be willing to sacrifice convenience and better sound and the portability of all the other contenders for a speakerphone. AKG tried this in the past with the K1000 and failed even though many love the K1000.  For some it may work and hopefully Fang will have great success with them as no one has worked harder to support this community. These are only my opinions and there have been many positive reviews posted here and I truly did wished they worked for me. They are well built like a German tank with all quality parts put into it. They are very nicely balanced but the musicality was the issue for me and I am sure many others will really like these.. If you want balanced neutral with great highs and good bass these cans may fit with what your looking to accomplish. I would have like to have heard them with more focus and better space and imaging. But IMO all the others worked better for me. if you are looking for a headphone to play with your speaker amp these may work for you.

Very concise and honest review, Frank.  This is exactly what Fang needs, IMHO.  I agree that the HE6s will have to become more efficient to appeal to a wider range of audiences.  I didn't like the stock cable either, although, shipping reference-class headphones with average or in some cases below-average cables have become the norm so Fang is not alone in that regard by any means.  You'll certainly have to invest in a custom cable if you want to baby your LCD-2s from 20 feet afar. 

 
I am fortunate--or if you ask my wallet with about $5K slimmer, really unfortunate--to have been able to afford some of what I consider the best reference cabling available today in terms of power, interconnects and headphone-replacement cables.  Aside from quality sources and amping, they are the make-or-break of a well-matched system and thus, can push some of these top-of-the-line, power-hungry cans to their limit.  So I consider that investment to be worth it, but that's just my opinion.