[iFi audio]

I would say the 6SE v2 is a little smoother and the HE6 is more aggressive and raw sounding.

Thanks, that's what I thought!

Also, personal experience, I could power the HE6SE with the Pro iCan Signature, but even on high gain, I didn't initially understand the hype on the HE6. It wasn't until I moved up to a speaker amp that I fully appreciated it. The iCan has a ton of power but the 6 easily takes more.

Yup, we get this feedback a lot. HE6 are one of those few very insensitive cans which, along i.e. Susvara, many folks tend to enjoy more with speaker amps.

 

[msing539]

The iCan is great, I run every other headphone off of it and refuse to sell it because of how versatile it is.

If anyone starts chasing the HE6 as an upgrade to the 6SE v2, I'd say this...

- The difference isn't there unless you can power the 6 properly, and just because you can drive the 6SE doesn't necessarily mean the same amp will work on the 6.

- Factor in the cost of a speaker amp and potential HE Adapter. For the amp, get one with a loudness button if you don't want to listen at deafening volume.

- Plan to use EQ if you want the bass impact, either software or physical tone control, whether they be built into the speaker amp or something separate like a Lokius.

 

[iFi audio]

The iCan is great, I run every other headphone off of it and refuse to sell it because of how versatile it is.

Thanks! We wanted to make our Pro iCAN as versatile as we possibly could, just so it is like several headphone amps packed into one chassis. Thanks a lot for your post and may this one serve you well

 

[bagwell359]

If you give the 6 enough power, it is a noticeable improvement over the 6SE in low end impact and dynamics.

… and cost of aquiring is certainly more for a 6 screw in working order

 

[bagwell359]

Thanks, that's what I thought!



Yup, we get this feedback a lot. HE6 are one of those few very insensitive cans which, along i.e. Susvara, many folks tend to enjoy more with speaker amps.

The OG 6 screw is only slightly less efficient than the HE-6 SE. No need for a speaker amp. I can drive a 6 screw or SE to quite loud levels on my Ragnarok 1 in gain 2 (of 3) at 3:30 o’clock. Given the explosion of desktop headphone amps since 2010 capable of 4+ wpc@50 ohms the whole speaker amp thing is much more myth than reality in the here and now

 

[pavnobi]

I ordered ZMF Auteur Solid pads to try on my HE6se. Any of the rest of you use these on your HE6se? I love the ZMF pads I’ve tried on my Sennheiser headphones

 

[iFi audio]

Given the explosion of desktop headphone amps since 2010 capable of 4+ wpc@50 ohms the whole speaker amp thing is much more myth than reality in the here and now

I hear you, but I've been having my eye on the Susvara thread, where many folks found speaker amps brilliant with these cans, so maybe there's something about such setups. If there is, I doubt it's about SPL as many headphone amps can make Susvara or HE-6 very loud.

 

[bagwell359]

I hear you, but I've been having my eye on the Susvara thread, where many folks found speaker amps brilliant with these cans, so maybe there's something about such setups. If there is, I doubt it's about SPL as many headphone amps can make Susvara or HE-6 very loud.

I’m not saying that amps/int amps/rec’s cannot succeed brilliantly in this use. In fact if you have something like a Pass X-150.8 lying around - go for it.

However I am talking about the debut of the HFM HE-6 and Audeze LCD Series. At that time there were hardly any or no headphone amps or SE sockets on speaker int amps/rec that could. So the need was real then. That need no longer exists.

A well designed class AB receiver that puts out 100 wpc into 4 ohms will at most put out 6.25 wpc into 64 ohms. Many can’t manage that. Figure in the cost of the HFM Adaptor, and the risk with equipment over 30 years old (caps dried out or leaking), or out of spec perhaps.

As an alternate my 7 year old Rag 1 puts out 10 wpc@50 ohms, .1 ohms output impedance, and it’s sliding bias class A - used can be had at $700. Now a Pass X-150.8 plus it’s matching pre amp will outperform the Rag, but it will set you back $11k new. One might feel the warmer less defined sound out of class AB 45 year old Onkyo 100 wpc amp @4 ohms is better, can’t speak to that. But people that extoll their equipment w/o comparing to the newer alternates are not authoritative voices IMO.

 

[Shane D]

Thanks! We wanted to make our Pro iCAN as versatile as we possibly could, just so it is like several headphone amps packed into one chassis. Thanks a lot for your post and may this one serve you well

As I have mentioned Many times before, the additional features are what does it for me. I don't come anywhere close to tapping all the power available. With the HE6se V2's, I can't get past mid-gain and the volume can't get past 12:00. And if Windows is at 100%, it will be lower than that. I am a quiet listener though (never go above 75Db's). These headphones never struck me as being at all bassy. Add bass boost and boom, there you go. Also I have found 3D didn't do much with a lot of headphones, but it certainly does with these. After another recent purchase, I have come to the conclusion that the 3D works Really well with planar headphones such as the T60 Argon, the HE6se V2 and my Bee planar's from Nectar Sound.
Power wise, I think the LP may match or exceed my Pro iCAN with 50 Ohm headphones, but the extra features on the iCAN make it very special to me. Of course that is just my opinion. I have seen several people praise its performance without the extra features enabled. Different strokes...

 

[msing539]

Of course I'm a fan of the Pro iCan Sig. It just ran out of gas for me driving the HE-6 OG. Though I could drive the HE6SE off of it really well.

For speaker amp, I'm using the Denon PMA 7.5 and Hifiman HE Adapter. The combo is less than $400 used with wiring, and the Denon excels at both low and high volume with the HE-6.

 

[iFi audio]

Of course I'm a fan of the Pro iCan Sig. It just ran out of gas for me driving the HE-6 OG. Though I could drive the HE6SE off of it really well.

Sure, I'm glad that you still like that amp!

I’m not saying that amps/int amps/rec’s cannot succeed brilliantly in this use. In fact if you have something like a Pass X-150.8 lying around - go for it.

However I am talking about the debut of the HFM HE-6 and Audeze LCD Series. At that time there were hardly any or no headphone amps or SE sockets on speaker int amps/rec that could. So the need was real then. That need no longer exists.

A well designed class AB receiver that puts out 100 wpc into 4 ohms will at most put out 6.25 wpc into 64 ohms. Many can’t manage that. Figure in the cost of the HFM Adaptor, and the risk with equipment over 30 years old (caps dried out or leaking), or out of spec perhaps.

As an alternate my 7 year old Rag 1 puts out 10 wpc@50 ohms, .1 ohms output impedance, and it’s sliding bias class A - used can be had at $700. Now a Pass X-150.8 plus it’s matching pre amp will outperform the Rag, but it will set you back $11k new. One might feel the warmer less defined sound out of class AB 45 year old Onkyo 100 wpc amp @4 ohms is better, can’t speak to that. But people that extoll their equipment w/o comparing to the newer alternates are not authoritative voices IMO.

OK, now I understand what you mean. At the end of the day I think that the more options folks have for their cans, the merrier. There's place for headphone and speaker amps, too!

That Pass has to be awesome with difficult to drive planars, though

As I have mentioned Many times before, the additional features are what does it for me. I don't come anywhere close to tapping all the power available. With the HE6se V2's, I can't get past mid-gain and the volume can't get past 12:00. And if Windows is at 100%, it will be lower than that. I am a quiet listener though (never go above 75Db's). These headphones never struck me as being at all bassy. Add bass boost and boom, there you go. Also I have found 3D didn't do much with a lot of headphones, but it certainly does with these. After another recent purchase, I have come to the conclusion that the 3D works Really well with planar headphones such as the T60 Argon, the HE6se V2 and my Bee planar's from Nectar Sound.
Power wise, I think the LP may match or exceed my Pro iCAN with 50 Ohm headphones, but the extra features on the iCAN make it very special to me. Of course that is just my opinion. I have seen several people praise its performance without the extra features enabled. Different strokes...

Thanks a lot! Recently we had an internal discussion about how to beat Pro iCAN on features and that's a task to behold. We're aware that many folks stick to just one or two settings and are happy with that, but... you never know what you may need in the future

Thanks again!

 

[Shane D]

Sure, I'm glad that you still like that amp!



OK, now I understand what you mean. At the end of the day I think that the more options folks have for their cans, the merrier. There's place for headphone and speaker amps, too!

That Pass has to be awesome with difficult to drive planars, though



Thanks a lot! Recently we had an internal discussion about how to beat Pro iCAN on features and that's a task to behold. We're aware that many folks stick to just one or two settings and are happy with that, but... you never know what you may need in the future

Thanks again!

I LOVE the flexibility! The drawing cards for me were massive power and Many options. I will never sell this thing. It's just too useful.
I think my Violectric has a sweeter sound and I love having negative gain, but it can't touch the flexibility of the Pro.

I brag it up wherever I go, but most people choke on the price of the Signature model. I recommend buying an OG, used, if you can swing it at all.

 

[iFi audio]

I recommend buying an OG, used, if you can swing it at all.

Not a bad idea! Later on you can always add our iPower Elite to it for extra performance boost that's not too far off from the Signature level.

 

[pavnobi]

Is there a trick to get good at pad swapping on the HE6se? My ZMF solid pads arrived, I took a ring and from another pad and put it in the ZMF pad, but I can’t seem to get the HE6se baffle to click with the clip ring

 

[msing539]

Is there a trick to get good at pad swapping on the HE6se? My ZMF solid pads arrived, I took a ring and from another pad and put it in the ZMF pad, but I can’t seem to get the HE6se baffle to click with the clip ring

Don't be afraid to give it a little pull and tug... giggity.