[shayson1357]

 
My exact configuration. Forget the research, get the banana plugs and plug them into the speaker taps of your amp...if its an SS amp, hit play, its its a tube amp, you will want to add some resistors across the speaker taps.

why would I need resistors ?
always read about that but never really understood the need for it..... is it only necessary for transformer coupled amplifiers or.... ?

 

[Canadian411]

I was fortunate to pay less than $999 for a 24-hour old HE 6...

 


I think I got mine $960 USD (a brand new)

 

[Wildcatsare1]

Wow, I have an LCD-X coming in. I have heard neither the X (yet) nor the 560. Have you heard both?

Just listened to both in Nashville, the Owner of the LCD-X put them up for sale and ordered a 560.

 

[ohhgourami]

  Honestly, you'll be glad you bought the HE-6. The HE-6 is much better in portraying texture and dimensionality of the music while the 560s have a bit better imaging and airiness. In my opinion, there's no headphone that sounds quite like the HE-6, it's pretty special, but there are many headphones that sound similar to the 560 (which isn't a bad thing, it's in great company). Think LCDX, lower end Stax etc. 

 
It's a lot more special when completely modded. Mine sound nothing like the stock form besides FR; it's a huge step forward. These thing's have ridiculous potential.

  Wow, I have an LCD-X coming in. I have heard neither the X (yet) nor the 560. Have you heard both?

 
An expensive downgrade...

 

[goldenSHK]

   
It's a lot more special when completely modded. Mine sound nothing like the stock form besides FR; it's a huge step forward. These thing's have ridiculous potential.
 
An expensive downgrade...

How did you mod them? Only thing I can possibly think of is a pad upgrade and removing the grille felt. 

 

[ohhgourami]

  How did you mod them? Only thing I can possibly think of is a pad upgrade and removing the grille felt. 

Audeze Vegan pads
Grill mod - use more open grill
Felt mod - apply felt on the driver grills.
 
When applied together, this perfect harmony transforms the HE-6 to a new level. Others have listened to my advice and have had their minds blown.

 

[TonyNewman]

  How did you mod them? Only thing I can possibly think of is a pad upgrade and removing the grille felt. 

 
HE6 is typically modded 3 ways - these 3 mods all work together - best to do them all or none.

• Remove the grill. Some folks like to put a lighter grill in it's place. I didn't bother - remove them completely and be careful not to snag the exposed wires (see picture - right hand side).
• Change the pads. I use the vegan Audeze - also adds a lot to the comfort.
• Fuzor - place adhesive felt along the inner structure to soften the otherwise harsh treble. I use a 'fuzor light' - only bothered to do the central section as this is the area that matters for the sound. (see picture - left hand side).

 

 
 
"Fuzor-Lite" close up:
 

 
Some folks do the outer ring area also - I found it wasn't necessary - the central area is where the sonic action is.
 
The important thing is the width of the adhesive felt strips - 3.5mm is about what you need - you want to cover the metal but not obstruct the opening in between. Mine took about 30 minutes to do for each side - it's easy.
 
This last bit is optional, but I would recommend it purely for comfort - wrap a seat belt protector around the central section of the headband.
 
Put all these together and you have a stunning headphone with great comfort as well. Drive it with 8W (or more) and it will sing like nothing else I have ever heard. I have an LCD-X and a HD800 - both great headphones - but they don't get much head time as the modded HE6, driven from a WA5 with 8W behind it, is just so much better at almost everything. You really have to experience it to understand what it can do.
 
Good luck

 

[TonyNewman]

 
Audeze Vegan pads
Grill mod - use more open grill
Felt mod - apply felt on the driver grills.
 
When applied together, this perfect harmony transforms the HE-6 to a new level. Others have listened to my advice and have had their minds blown.

 
+1. My mind was totally blown

I was skeptical about the hype, until I did the mods and plugged it into the WA5 K1K socket. If there is a religious experience to be had in HeadFi, this was it

 
 

 

[preproman]

Also get rid of those %^%# connectors.  Find your favorite cable and go with a Hardwire.

 

[TonyNewman]

  Also get rid of those %^%# connectors.  Find your favorite cable and go with a Hardwire.

 
Does it improve the SQ? The connectors are craptastic, but if going hardwire doesn't improve the SQ I wouldn't be bothered (YMMV).

 

[preproman]

Just about any and everything you do different has some kind of affect on the SQ (Positive or Negative).  In my case the headphones sound more mature or refined.

 

[kothganesh]

   
...........
An expensive downgrade...

Ohhg.... I never let my HE 6 go and will not...

 

[Canadian411]

  An expensive downgrade...

 
Wow, I never liked Audezes but is this how i interpret ? HE6 > HE560 > LCD-X ?
That case you saved me $2k. now I have 1 less headphone that I don't have to worry about.

 

[Canadian411]

 
Ohhg.... I never let my HE 6 go and will not...

 
Me 2, I regret letting my D7000, there are few headphones that are really special and can become a collector's item
And HE6 is one of them IMO. Maybe should get another pair while supplies last,

 

[kothganesh]

  why would I need resistors ?
always read about that but never really understood the need for it..... is it only necessary for transformer coupled amplifiers or.... ?

Its about the amplifier "seeing" an appropriate load (obviously layman's jargon here) since speaker amps drive 4-8 ohms and HPs like the HE 6 have higher impedances....Hope I have this right...