HiFiMAN HE6 Remastered Launches With a Lighter Headband, But It Still Needs Serious Amplifier Power

HiFiMAN is bringing back one of the true legends of the planar magnetic headphone world with the HE6 Remastered. The original HE6 earned its near-mythic reputation the old-fashioned way: by delivering exceptional speed, detail, dynamics, and an expansive open-back soundstage when paired with amplification capable of keeping up. It was a headphone prized for its sonic abilities, even if it also developed a reputation for treating underpowered headphone amps with a genuine level of contempt.

The new $1,899 HE6 Remastered retains the original HE6 driver design and open-back architecture, but replaces the older headband with a lighter composite design for greater long-session comfort. The trade-off, such as it is, remains unchanged: with 83.5dB sensitivity and a 50-ohm impedance, this is not a planar headphone for a feeble dongle DAC. Think again. The HE6 Remastered needs serious current and a genuinely capable headphone amplifier to reveal why the original became such an enduring favorite in the first place.

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“From trade shows to the sales floor and online forums, our customers continually cite the HE6 and its series successors as HIFIMAN favorites,” says Dr. Fang Bian, President and CEO, HIFIMAN Electronics. “The HE6 Remastered uses the original’s driver complement to maintain the sound signature that continues to set the bar for open-back planar models at its price point, but with greater comfort for hours of continuous listening.”

HE6 Legacy

The original HE6 was introduced in 2010 and quickly became sought after by headphone enthusiasts, audiophiles, and music lovers, thanks to HIFIMAN’s approach to planar magnetic design, which incorporated a brass protective mesh and reinforcing ribs.

The HE6 was also the first headphone to feature an ultra-thin Nanometer Diaphragm, measuring less than one-millionth of a meter thick and extremely light. This gave the HE6 an extremely fast response, outstanding dynamic range and frequency characteristics, low distortion, high transient response, and comprehensive improvements in dynamics and detail.

The brass protective mesh was implemented to protect the diaphragm from damage, while the reinforced ribs further enhanced the stability of the magnets and overall reliability.

However, as a result of further R&D, HIFIMAN’s engineers determined that the Nanometer Thickness Diaphragm and powerful magnetic system were safe from environmental exposure and mishandling without the need for protective elements. Removing them reduced weight without affecting performance. As a result, HIFIMAN released a later model variant called the HE6 Later, named for the fact that it is a “later” version of the HE6.

What’s New with HE6 Remastered

Sixteen years after the original HE6 was released, many audiophile headphone fans continue to embrace its sonic output, making it an often-requested sample at enthusiast audio shows. In response to this ongoing interest and support, HIFIMAN now offers the HE6 Remastered, which features the same driver design as the original but adds a new composite headband that reduces overall weight from the original’s 550 grams to 522 grams. That is an improvement, certainly, but 522 grams is not exactly light by modern headphone standards.

The HE6 Remastered’s sensitivity is 83.5dB, identical to the original HE6. Frequency response is rated at 8Hz–65kHz, and impedance is measured at 50 ohms. Those specifications make it clear that this is not a headphone for a modest dongle DAC or lightweight portable source. To get the most from the HE6 Remastered, owners should be thinking about a capable desktop headphone amplifier from Schiit, HIFIMAN, Burson, Auris, or one of the many other manufacturers building serious amplification for demanding planar magnetic headphones.

Additional Specifications

Adds Dr. Bian: “We are very fortunate to have so many of our headphones considered industry standards. The HE6 is a longtime favorite, and I’m thrilled to bring an updated version to our most dedicated consumers and thousands of newcomers.”

The Bottom Line 

The HIFIMAN HE6 Remastered is not an attempt to reinvent one of the company’s most iconic planar magnetic headphones. It is a deliberate return to the original HE6 formula, with the brass protective mesh and external reinforcing ribs restored after their removal on the HE6 Later, alongside a lighter composite headband and replaceable earpads. The new headband design, also used on HIFIMAN’s newer HE600 and Edition XV, should improve long-term comfort, but let’s not pretend that 522 grams is “very light.” It is lighter than the original by almost 30 grams, but it is still a substantial headphone.

At $1,899, the HE6 Remastered is targeted squarely at longtime HE6 fans and listeners who want a demanding, open-back planar magnetic headphone built around serious desktop listening. The 83.5dB sensitivity and 50-ohm impedance remain unchanged, which means this is not a product for a phone, laptop jack, or feeble dongle DAC. A proper amplifier from Schiit, HIFIMAN, Burson, Auris, or another manufacturer with real power on tap will be required to make the HE6 Remastered sing.

The competition is not standing still. Audeze’s $1,199 LCD-X is heavier at 612 grams, but far easier to drive; Dan Clark Audio’s 455-gram E3 costs $2,299.99 and adds closed-back isolation; and HIFIMAN’s own $1,399 HE1000 V2 is a considerably lighter 420 grams. The HE6 Remastered is not the obvious value play, nor is it the most convenient choice in this price range. Its appeal is more specific: it brings back the distinct sound and amplifier-hungry personality that made the original HE6 a cult favorite in the first place.

Price & Availability 

The HE6 Remastered is priced at $1,899 and is available at HIFIMAN 

The Original HE6 is still available at HIFIMAN for $1,299

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