[Nimzerz]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/HiFiMan-HE...2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

Wow. Looks like they are trying to sell defective units

Read the description

Edit: my bad didn’t see your message below the link. Yeah, and their title is misleading. Smh.

 

[theangelboy]

The Velpads arrived today. They definitely sound different than the round velours from Aliexpress that I've been using but it's nothing drastic. The Velpad is a little less smooth perhaps, slightly more treble energy, and maybe a little more punch to the bass, although that last one might just be that it's louder at the same amp volume since my ear is closer to the driver thanks to being thinner, angled pads. The presentation and soundstaging are also slightly different. I suspect that this is mostly due to the angle they have. I don't think they improved the accuracy of the imaging, per se (graduations of left to right sound placement), since I can pick out placement and direction in my test songs with both pads equally, but it does move the image more in front and less in the head which can feel more natural, I think.

As with similar Hifiman pads, like the stock one, the earhole is smaller than the round velour, if that's something that matters to you. I have smaller ears so that doesn't bother me so much. Also, since it's Hifiman, the velour is more felt-like and I find it more scratchy/itchy than most velours or the mesh that the Pelipad uses (probably at least partly because I have a shaved head). However, the foam is softer than the Hifiman Round Velour. So, for comfort for me, from least to most, it would be Hifiman Round Velour > Velpad > Pelipad (stock) > Aliexpress 105mm Round Velour.

I also took some measurements comparing the Velpad to some other pads (I'm putting them in a spoiler tag to keep the post from being the length of a CVS receipt). The Velpad is definitely not a bad option and sounds better than stock for sure. So for $15 I would say they are worth a try if you are interested!

Spoiler: Measurements: Velpad vs. Stock/Round Velour/Aliexpress Velour

Once again I've reached the conclusion that the HE6se V2 just sounds great with almost any pad. I've had it for months but every time I put it on it still wows me a little bit. No other headphone I've owned can say that. If I had to get rid of my entire collection except for one headphone, this would probably be the headphone that I would keep (assuming I could keep a good amp too, lol). While that statement might not seem like a big deal to those of you who only keep one or two headphones at a time, for me, someone who really likes the variety of flavors that all those different headphones offer, it's saying a lot. Anyway, enough gushing... back to listening!

 

[Breakfastwasgood]

The Velpads arrived today. They definitely sound different than the round velours from Aliexpress that I've been using but it's nothing drastic. The Velpad is a little less smooth perhaps, slightly more treble energy, and maybe a little more punch to the bass, although that last one might just be that it's louder at the same amp volume since my ear is closer to the driver thanks to being thinner, angled pads. The presentation and soundstaging are also slightly different. I suspect that this is mostly due to the angle they have. I don't think they improved the accuracy of the imaging, per se (graduations of left to right sound placement), since I can pick out placement and direction in my test songs with both pads equally, but it does move the image more in front and less in the head which can feel more natural, I think.

Thank you for your great review and measurement!

Though still I prefer velpad, I should say that I like aliexpress pad in the end. Good texture and good value.






I'm trying more pads. What I noticed was that the velour on the hifiman store is not original HE-6's.

Original he-6 is rigid, but I like its sound, so I wish I could buy it more...

 

[luizffgarcia]

If I had to get rid of my entire collection except for one headphone, this would probably be the headphone that I would keep (assuming I could keep a good amp too, lol).

This is kind of what i am doing right now. I made the mistake of creating a spreadsheet in order to find out how much money i have invested in this hobby, the total was CAD$8200 (US$6300) which is something i was not expecting, lol.

I have decided to sell everything to bring the investment to something i find to be reasonable, i am only keeping my DAC which is a Modius, my Burson Soloist, the HE6se v2 and the Kennerton GH50.

Everything else is listed:
Dunu Zen
Mangird Tea
Fostex Ebony
Audeze LCD-X 2021
LSA HP-2

The HE6 is so good i am ok with selling everything else, if this was 1 year ago before i got the Soloist + HE6 i would never think of keeping only 1 or 2 sets, if money really was a problem i would also sell the Kennerton and keep only the HE6, fortunately i can afford to keep 2 sets though. The Kennerton is unique enough to justify keeping it

 

[UntilThen]

I'm a convert now. Shockingly good.

 

[UntilThen]

Evaluating the He6se V2 with my LCD4, H800 and He1000se. The latter at the shop for a headband and earpads replacement. Initial listen shows the He6se a very capable performer competing with these higher end headphones. I got my He6se from someone who has own it for a year and who took care of it. He even put a plastic wrapping on the headband to protect it. So it's burn in, alive and full of energy when powered from Odyssey, my KT88 / EL34 tube amp with Yggdrasil in attendance.

From Dave Brubeck ''Take Five' to Led Zep 'Whole Lotta Love' to Piano Concerto No 21 in C Major K467 Elvira Madigan II Adante, I think I love this very inexpensive HiFiMan. Love it very much indeed for the impact, energy, details, transparency and holographic soundstage.

 

[OkPsychology]

Evaluating the He6se V2 with my LCD4, H800 and He1000se. The latter at the shop for a headband and earpads replacement. Initial listen shows the He6se a very capable performer competing with these higher end headphones. I got my He6se from someone who has own it for a year and who took care of it. He even put a plastic wrapping on the headband to protect it. So it's burn in, alive and full of energy when powered from Odyssey, my KT88 / EL34 tube amp with Yggdrasil in attendance.

From Dave Brubeck ''Take Five' to Led Zep 'Whole Lotta Love' to Piano Concerto No 21 in C Major K467 Elvira Madigan II Adante, I think I love this very inexpensive HiFiMan. Love it very much indeed for the impact, energy, details, transparency and holographic soundstage.

Please keep us posted as you continue to form impressions. That’s some stiff competition they’re up against, but I suspect they’ll be able to hold their own. I had an LCD-4, and currently have an HD800S, and FWIW I’d personally reach for my HE6se before both of those other options. Welcome to the club!!

 

[deafenears]

Evaluating the He6se V2 with my LCD4, H800 and He1000se. The latter at the shop for a headband and earpads replacement. Initial listen shows the He6se a very capable performer competing with these higher end headphones. I got my He6se from someone who has own it for a year and who took care of it. He even put a plastic wrapping on the headband to protect it.

Welcome to the club. Yes, I too would be interested in your impressions.

It's probably just me, but I find when switching between the LCDs and the HE6SEv2's that the cups on the HE6SEs are a bit small for my ears. Not a problem when I didn't have the LCDs but I'm now spoilt by the larger cups.

 

[FYFL]

Love it very much indeed for the impact, energy, details, transparency and holographic soundstage.

Very nice headphones that makes my LCDX obsolete at this point (at least to me personally).
Soundstage is much more expensive with cans dust covers removed. I run it that way btw.
I also tried different pads and settled on ones that work for me personally. Pls don’t ask which one. Everyone got their own favorite one, so do I. It’s subjective.

 

[OkPsychology]

Very nice headphones that makes my LCDX obsolete at this point (at least to me personally).
Soundstage is much more expensive with cans dust covers removed. I run it that way btw.
I also tried different pads and settled on ones that work for me personally. Pls don’t ask which one. Everyone got their own favorite one, so do I. It’s subjective.

I too unloaded my LCD-X _and_ Arya once the HE6se found its way Into my collection

 

[luizffgarcia]

Very nice headphones that makes my LCDX obsolete at this point (at least to me personally).

I am selling my LCD-X because i feel the same way. The only thing i think the LCD-X does a little better is bass, the slam is a bit better on the HE6 but the sub-bass and overall bass presence is a bit better in the LCD-X imo.

That is after lots of EQ in both since i am a bit of a basshead. Still, i cannot convince myself to keep a $1100 set just because the bass is a bit more to my liking than the HE6, since the HE6 does everything else much better.

I admit i will miss having the LCD-X though, the looks, the build quality, the leather smell from the pads... I really loved the X...

 

[UntilThen]

There's something about He6se that I like but I can't quite pin point it. It's doing every song very well. Listening to Beck's 'Morning Phase' album now and it's a moving experience on this headphone. I have Telefunken EL156 in my tube amp now. These are quite well known with tube lovers. Punchy extended bass that goes very low with clear extended highs rounding off with clear and present midrange. I'm certain that He6se benefit big time from a good and powerful tube amp. For my ears at least.

He6se is giving the LCD4 a run for the money. The open airy sound is more suited for me. Punchy and tight. Instruments separation is very good.

 

[OkPsychology]

Those luscious tubes tho! JFC straight headphone porn, that is. Great photo!

Glad you're enjoying the HE6se, and I agree that (in my highly subjective view) they're better than LCD-4.

My 2 pairs of stuck HE6se are now in transit back to HifiMan returns dept, and in the meantime I've been spending a ton of time with my recently purchased Verum One mk1. These things are very interesting, and the value proposition they bring to the table is just plain silly. I'm really looking forward to A/B'ing them with HE6se. The Verum have great bass and extend low, but there's a bit of congestion in the center image for me that is their weakest point. To my ears they're very tall and narrow in image, and while most textures are presented well, the separation and layering could be better. They're not great critical-listening cans, but they are super fun, and offer a unique take on everything I've thrown at them so far. And for the $250 I paid for them, I'm extremely happy with them.

 

[UntilThen]

Those luscious tubes tho!

It's all in the tube amp implementation. Even a KT150 sounds tight, fast, transparent and detailed with a holographic soundstage in Odyssey. That's the builder's sound signature in all his amps.

I heard my friend's Kennertons - 2 models but I can't remember the names now. One of them is tight, fast and detailed as well. I did enjoy it.

Was trying the Kennertons in my other 300b amp.



The one on the right is mine. The one on the left belongs to the owner of the Kennertons.

 

[thefitz]

I found a headband that came off the HE560v1 for $60 on eBay - definitely pulled the trigger on that one!