The HIFIMAN HE6 has a storied history dating back to the early days of planar magnetic headphone development in 2010, and since then HIFIMAN has released a number of follow-ups, revisions, and alternate versions. HE6 Remastered aims to be the definitive update to HE6 featuring a familiar design, better comfort, and HIFIMAN’s latest tech. So how does a new version of a classic headphone hold up against the latest developments in tuning and technology?
Build and Design
More recently HIFIMAN is best known for their teardrop shaped headphones like Arya, Ananda HE10000, and Susvara, but HE6 Remaster utilizes the simpler circular shape of its predecessor. Internally, HE6 Remastered aims to capture the core components of HE6’s design, like the gold-sputtered diaphragm and brass protective mesh, while improving the general consistency and quality of the headphones.
The frame, headband, and other elements like the cable connection all feature the recent improvements in construction showcased on headphones like the HIFIMAN HE600, and the earpads are hybrid, with cloth for the area that makes skin contact and leather for the outside. The headphones are lightweight, generally comfortable, and feature a good range of adjustments for head size, but if you have larger earlobes, the earpads might not be accommodating enough to fit your ears.
The Sound
Saying that HE6 Remastered sounds like “classic HIFIMAN” feels a little bit redundant. HE6 preserves the original tuning balance of HIFIMAN’s original flagship headphones, so – at least from where I’m sitting – sounds more like classic HIFIMAN than any other HIFIMAN headphones that I’ve heard. The basic balance is what you’d expect either way: a generally balanced tuning, with well extended, linear bass, and a bit of extra focus in the treble over the midrange.
HE6 Remastered’s bass is among the best I’ve heard from HIFIMAN, with excellent texture, and a bit more punch than I expected in the midbass. The lowest portion of the subbass is slightly rolled off, with the overall focus in the bass being on the quality over the quantity.
The midrange offers good timbre and nice vocal delivery, though neither is a standout in comparison to the competition at this price range. The layering and separation is strong, and the overall presentation of detail is definitely a highlight of HE6 Remastered.
HE6 Remastered’s overall balance leans towards the treble, but it doesn’t feel as bright as I’d expect. It’s nicely extended but doesn’t have any notable peaks or sharp spots in the upper treble. For someone who is a little treble sensitive, HE6 Remastered is a bright headphone that doesn’t have the fatigue I normally associate with more treble leaning sound signatures.
The soundstage and imaging is where HE6 Remastered really feels like a mini-Susvara. The construction of the image and the general sense of space and shape of the soundstage are very similar to the original Susvara, but just scaled down a bit: not quite as wide, not quite as vivid, but still excellent, and among the best out there.
One thing that’s not “mini” about HE6 Remastered are its power requirements. This is not an efficient headphone, and it requires a powerful system to get the best out of it. With a sensitivity rating of 83.5 dB at 1kHz, the current provided by desktop amps is going to be essential to driving it. A powerful amp like the Topping A900 or even a tube amp with a bit of grunt like the Cayin HA-3A are essential to delivering the full dynamic potential of HE6.
HE6 Remastered proved to be pretty versatile across genres, starting with a more laid back, female fronted classic rock track like “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac, demonstrated how HE6 Remastered can delicately weave subtle background elements into a mix while highlighting the vocals and guitars in a way that offers insight into the smaller details and still feels cohesive. The bass guitar in particular had a clear, almost wet feeling sound that offered some unique textures, while elements like guitar adlibs in between lines or verses felt crisp and clean.
Taking it back even further to some classic jazz, with Miles Davis’s “So What” HE6 Remastered delivers an imaging showcase, with a clear open sound, a realistic feeling stage, and vivid sense of placement with instrument. The piano and bass sound impressively natural, with good energy in the upper end of the piano and great body in the bass. The trumpet and saxophone are nicely contrasted in the solo section, with the trumpet hitting bright and in your face, while the sax is super smooth with just the right amount of bite.
Brighter headphones tend to struggle more with genres that rely more on bass and drums, so how does HE6 Remastered do on “Take the Power Back” by Rage Against the Machine. Right off the bat, the guitars have an amazing incendiary edge to them, while the bass guitar slaps provide an impressively physical pop. There’s also decent physicality in the drums in general, with the bass drum hitting harder than I expected. The vocals come through clear and energetic, and the whole delivery feels both complete and articulate. The general balance is shifted perhaps just a little too much towards the guitars, cymbals, and snare, but HE6 Remastered still provides an enjoyable listen for a high energy rock track.
Comparisons: Arya Unveiled, Audeze MM520
HIFIMAN’s lineup has evolved significantly since the original HE6 came out, as has their competition, so we brought in the similarly priced Arya Unveiled and the Audeze MM520 to answer the questions: does a new take on a 15 year old tuning hold up against the new kids on the block?
In terms of the build, Audeze has been winning this battle with HIFIMAN for the last 15 years, and continues to hold onto the lead. MM520 feels sturdier and more secure and definitely presents a stronger feeling of value and craftsmanship in your hands. While I find it more comfortable, it is a little heavier than HE6 Remastered and Arya Unveiled, so some may prefer the lighter HIFIMAN headphones on that criteria. Between HE6 Remastered and Arya Unveiled, I found that the HE6 Remastered feels more premium and that the headband is superior, but I prefer the teardrop shaped earcups personally, for my larger earlobes. The “Unveiled” concept may also trigger anxiety for some listeners.
In terms of the sound and performance, Arya Unveiled is more efficient – so you can drive it off a much wider range of gear, but sonically I found that it had less body and less texture in bass than HE6 Remastered. Arya Unveiled is a little airier and more spacious, but I found it to ultimately feel less three-dimensional and tactile than HE6 Remaster.
While HE6 Remastered and Arya Unveiled are clearly coming from the same general family of tuning, Audeze MM520 offers something totally different. The first thing I noticed in going back and forth was how much different the imaging and soundstage presentation was. MM520 sends the left and right sides of the image much further out than HE6, giving a sense of greater separation and more space between the instruments, but the space doesn’t feel quite as natural. The overall imaging is a bit more tactile on MM520, making Arya Unveiled feel more diffuse, while HE6 Remastered is somewhere in between. The bass on MM520 is punchier, but not quite as deep and textured, and there is a slight sense of veil at the top by comparison, though I think it’s generally well balanced. I’d probably lean towards MM520 on tracks like “Take the Power Back” but more towards HE6 Remastered for tracks like “So What” or “Dreams.”
Final Thoughts
HE6 Remastered is a great headphone, and it definitely holds up on technical and tuning level with other headphones around the $1500-$2000 price point. While I didn’t have an original HE6 to directly compare it to, having heard a variety of HIFIMAN headphones over the years, I can say that HE6 Remastered fits right in with their lineup sonically, delivers the level of technical performance we’ve come to expect from them, and offers improvements to the build that help it stand out in the current headphone landscape.
