[goldenSHK]

  Yup, he uses a very very thin diaphragm creates very low distortion, but at the same time energy transfer to the ear is very low so it's very inefficient.  So there it is, why the design is the way it is.  
 
 

So now that there's actual video proof of Fang saying that the reason for inefficiency is strictly a sacrifice for "almost perfect frequency response," I hope people can stop arguing about this now. Clearly it's a design decision because the HE-6 is HifiMan's version of 'no compromise' design for utmost sound quality possible. Whether it's the defining characteristic of the headphone, a flaw, an advantage, who cares. Let's not argue over semantics. I think most in this thread would definitely agree though that if Hifiman was designing an HE-6 successor, and the time came for some 'compromise' decisions in sound quality vs. efficiency, none of us here would want Fang to compromise any of the sonic potential of the new flagship model for increased efficiency and lighter weight (something clearly considered when the 560s and 400i were designed). 

 

[preproman]

  I think most in this thread would definitely agree though that if Hifiman was designing an HE-6 successor, and the time came for some 'compromise' decisions in sound quality vs. efficiency, none of us here would want Fang to compromise any of the sonic potential of the new flagship model for increased efficiency and lighter weight (something clearly considered when the 560s and 400i were designed). 

 
 
+1 Good post.  Thus being a conscious decision made by Fang. Not a flaw.

 

[bmichels]

  ... The HE-6 has gotten my spoiled with it's richness and soul.  It's hard to listen to headphones that are just to technical.  That's also why I've ordered the Eddie Current 445.  I want to see what the fuss is about...

 
preproman, have you been able to test the 445 with the HE-6 finally ?  Does the 4-45 has the 'juice' to drive the HE6 to it's best ? 

 

[preproman]

   
preproman, have you been able to test the 445 with the HE-6 finally ?  Does the 4-45 has the 'juice' to drive the HE6 to it's best ? 

 
Not yet bmichels.  The amp is now burning in with some EML 45 mesh plate.  I will let you know in the 445 thread.

 

[lljayll]

  Yup, he uses a very very thin diaphragm creates very low distortion, but at the same time energy transfer to the ear is very low so it's very inefficient.  So there it is, why the design is the way it is.  

 
That's the video! Thanks for sharing it.

 

[Rhamnetin]

  I think most in this thread would definitely agree though that if Hifiman was designing an HE-6 successor, and the time came for some 'compromise' decisions in sound quality vs. efficiency, none of us here would want Fang to compromise any of the sonic potential of the new flagship model for increased efficiency and lighter weight (something clearly considered when the 560s and 400i were designed). 

 
I think this is my first post in this thread but I'm going to have to agree.  I auditioned the HE-500, HE-560, and HE-6 recently.  The HE-6 floored me with its sound quality and presentation.  My favorite planar, and I like it more than any dynamic headphone I've tried too.  If they had to make such a compromise for a successor, they should go with sound quality once again.  The HE-6 is flagship for a reason!  It would be cool if it had the same external design (suspended headband) as the HE-560/400i though.

 

[Velomane]

 The HE-6 is flagship for a reason!  It would be cool if it had the same external design (suspended headband) as the HE-560/400i though.

Has anyone looked into using the suspended headband with their HE-6's?

 

[wuwhere]

Yup, all HFM has to do is incorporate the headband from the 560 and they can call it HE-6i for improved.

 

[Silent One]

On many a Saturday night, I would proudly proclaim "Time now...for AFROBEAT!" Get inside the listening room and make it do what it do, baby. After reading this thread, I'm simply intent on breaking my silence. This is a most wonderful thread. I felt this way prior to my ownership of the HiFiMAN HE-6.
 

 I have witnessed the dissenting drive-by's inside this thread and elsewhere on HF, both past and present. It's one thing to attack a member's position, but

 there is NO need to personally attack anyone, as witnessed on pages 1002-1003. A few of us resident owners have fun playfully bantering about the cans. "Hard to drive and sound great? M-o-a-r please!" One thing that I have found on both HF and IRL is many simply do not want to put in the work to see what the HE-6 holds as promise. What separates a few us here is we're less concerned with plug & play and actually excited about our pursuit of excellence for the cans. 
 
I have also enjoyed a few of Dr. Fan Bian's interviews including the one posted from Audio Advisor in months prior. In his own words, he's long felt that the big '6' needs very powerful amplification for the cans to get rite.

 

[TonyNewman]

  On many a Saturday night, I would proudly proclaim "Time now...for AFROBEAT!" Get inside the listening room and make it do what it do, baby. After reading this thread, I'm simply intent on breaking my silence. This is a most wonderful thread. I felt this way prior to my ownership of the HiFiMAN HE-6.
 

 I have witnessed the dissenting drive-by's inside this thread and elsewhere on HF, both past and present. It's one thing to attack a member's position, but

 there is NO need to personally attack anyone, as witnessed on pages 1002-1003. A few of us resident owners have fun playfully bantering about the cans. "Hard to drive and sound great? M-o-a-r please!" One thing that I have found on both HF and IRL is many simply do not want to put in the work to see what the HE-6 holds as promise. What separates a few us here is we're less concerned with plug & play and actually excited about our pursuit of excellence for the cans. 
 
I have also enjoyed a few of Dr. Fan Bian's interviews including the one posted from Audio Advisor in months prior. In his own words, he's long felt that the big '6' needs very powerful amplification for the cans to get rite.

 
A well driven, modded HE6 is a wonderful thing.
 
My LCD-X and HD800, as good as they are, can't touch it.
 
Makes me wonder how it compares with the BHSE/SR009 combo - the Holy Grail of HeadFi

 

[Silent One]

I'm certainly enjoying my adventure. 

 

[lojay]

   
A well driven, modded HE6 is a wonderful thing.
 
My LCD-X and HD800, as good as they are, can't touch it.
 
Makes me wonder how it compares with the BHSE/SR009 combo - the Holy Grail of HeadFi

 
So far the only thing that beats it to my mind (leaving the SR009 aside which I seldom use to keep in it a good condition) is the HD800 + 445 combo. That is really quite something to behold. It improves on the WA5 in terms of the visceral "feel" but that still is bested by the HE-6 driven by either the 445 or WA5.
 
I can't imagine how the HE-6 will sound on a "real" speaker amp....

 

[lojay]

   
preproman, have you been able to test the 445 with the HE-6 finally ?  Does the 4-45 has the 'juice' to drive the HE6 to it's best ? 

+1 
 
I'd like to know how driving the HE-6 with the 445 compares to speaker amps.

 

[preproman]

   
So far the only thing that beats it to my mind (leaving the SR009 aside which I seldom use to keep in it a good condition) is the HD800 + 445 combo. That is really quite something to behold. It improves on the WA5 in terms of the visceral "feel" but that still is bested by the HE-6 driven by either the 445 or WA5.
 
I can't imagine how the HE-6 will sound on a "real" speaker amp....

But you said the HE-6 or was it the HD800 sound a bit thin on the 445.  I can't do thin, that's why I like the HE-6as much as I do - because it's not skinny so to speak or it has meat on it bones or it's full.  
 
I'm trying my damnest to get the HD800 to sound full as well.  Lets see what the 445 and a few different tubes can do.

 

[gjc11028]

So far the only thing that beats it to my mind (leaving the SR009 aside which I seldom use to keep in it a good condition) is the HD800 + 445 combo. That is really quite something to behold. It improves on the WA5 in terms of the visceral "feel" but that still is bested by the HE-6 driven by either the 445 or WA5.

I can't imagine how the HE-6 will sound on a "real" speaker amp....

No need to imagine. Take the he-6 to an audio store and try out some things.