The original Hifiman HE6 has long been revered by the audio community, and its successors, the HE6se and HE6se V2, have understandably garnered attention as well. Having owned the HE6SE V2 for over six months now, I think it’s now time to delve into a thorough review of these headphones.
Overview
The HE6SE V2 is an open-back planar magnetic full-size headphone, originally retailing at a steep $1,900. However, it is commonly available for $700 new, with open box or refurbished options around $500. Pretty long way down from its original MSRP.
As with most Hifiman headphones, the HE6SE V2 is available in a single variant—a dark blue shiny finish. Aesthetically, the dark blue color is more utilitarian than eye-catching.
Packaging and Build
The headphones come in an eco-friendly box introduced by Hifiman in 2021/2022. The package includes a balanced cable, a 6.35mm adapter, and practical headphone stand. Unfortunately, the cable is the notorious surgical tubing type, known for being stiff and having a mind of its own.
Weighing nearly 500 grams, the HE6SE V2 is quite heavy, with most of its weight in the cups made of hard plastic. The pads, similar to those of the Deva or HE400se, are made of faux leather and will chip over time. The build quality does not exude the premium feel expected at its original price point mainly due to material choices and ergonomic feel.
Now you might have noticed that the cups look a bit different and that’s because I removed the plastic cover from the grills, which improved the soundstage. Some users opt for the full “grill mod” by removing the entire grill, which I am hesitant to do as I feel dirt and dust would easily get in. However, it seems like a lot of people are not as worried in this regard.
Comfort
While I can wear the HE6SE V2 for extended periods, it is not particularly comfortable due to the heavy cups and headband design. Despite the thick but stiff headband padding, the poor weight distribution causes fatigue over time. The comfort level is akin to older Audeze headphones, like the LCD-2 for example.
Page 2: Sound Quality & Conclusion