The Head-Direct HiFiMAN HE-6 headphones provide a very interesting mix of qualities. Compared to the HD800s from Sennheiser these feature a better bass performance and can compete in terms of detail retrieval. Interestingly enough Head-Direct have yet to manufacture a headphone amplifier that will do these beasts justice, there is a balanced amplifier in the pipeline but until then people will have to find another solution. The speaker adapter will be fine as an intermediate solution and for only $99 it is quite a revelation, the use of this unit does, however, require a decent integrated amplifier to sound its best.

The Head-Direct HE-6s are the headphones to beat when it comes to highly musical headphones. The Sennheiser HD800 are technically better on a number of things but in the deficits the HD800s have are to these ears far worse than the ones the HE-6s have for the average listener. The HE-6’s slightly warmer more forgiving sound signature is also something that gives the HE-6s a broader appeal.