Is the HiFiMAN HE 6 worth the upgrade from the HiFiMAN HE 600?
Verdict
Downgrade
The HiFiMAN HE 6 actually scores 5.4 points below the HiFiMAN HE 600, so on aggregate review consensus this is a step backwards. The gains are concentrated in sound (8.0 to 8.5). You do give up ground on value (7.5 to 6.0). Worth checking: active noise cancelling goes No to No and weight goes 389 g to 502 g. And it costs $500 more for a lower score, which is hard to justify on the data alone. Only worth it if a specific feature above matters more to you than overall quality does.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound8.08.5
- Value7.56.0
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | HE 600 | HE 6 | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active noise cancelling | No | No | |
| Weight | 389 g | 502 g | |
| Driver size | 100 mm | 60 mm | |
| Driver | 100 mm planar magnetic | 60 mm planar magnetic |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "HE 600 to HE 6". The other direction is a separate question with a different answer. Scores blend published review verdicts across over-ear and shift as new reviews land, so a marginal call today may not be one next quarter.