Short answer: the HEDD Audio D1. It ranks #22 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $799. The HIFIMAN HE6se V2 ranks #48, rated 4.1/5, at $792.24, $6.76 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
What the HIFIMAN HE6se V2 does well: A preference score of 84 with a deviation of only 2.19 dB shows a smooth, well-controlled response, and low mids sit within 2 dB of target. The catch: Sub-bass is roughly 4 dB under target below 60 Hz, so the lowest rumble is missing.
Buy the HEDD Audio D1. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $6.76 saving on the HIFIMAN HE6se V2 is not enough to make up the difference.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| HEDD Audio D1 | HIFIMAN HE6se V2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799.00 | $792.24 |
| Ranked | #22 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #48 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 89 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 84 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.62 dB standard deviation | 2.19 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.18 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.18 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 28 Hz (-5.9 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 32 Hz (-6.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic | - |
| Impedance | 32 ohms | 50 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW | 83.5 dB |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (350 g) | 1 lbs (470 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 8Hz - 65kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How HEDD Audio D1 compares with other leading options:
- HIFIMAN Arya Organic vs HEDD Audio D1
- HIFIMAN HE600 vs HEDD Audio D1
- HEDD Audio D1 vs HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth
- HEDD Audio D1 vs Focal Hadenys
- Focal Hadenys vs HIFIMAN HE6se V2
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
HEDD Audio D1: $799.00 Headphones.com eBay
Full HEDD Audio D1 review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2025 (11 months ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.62 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 89 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 28 Hz (-5.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.18 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (350 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
HIFIMAN HE6se V2: $792.24 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 84 with a deviation of only 2.19 dB shows a smooth, well-controlled response, and low mids sit within 2 dB of target. Bass from 60 to 200 Hz is within 1 dB of target, so bass notes keep their body. It costs noticeably less than the HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth, though that model carries a higher rating.
Cons: Sub-bass is roughly 4 dB under target below 60 Hz, so the lowest rumble is missing. Presence is about 2.5 dB hot with a 3.7 dB peak near 3.75 kHz, and a 5 dB dip near 9.6 kHz softens cymbals. At 83.5 dB sensitivity it needs a dedicated headphone amp, and the open back leaks sound. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full HIFIMAN HE6se V2 review and specifications →
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.19 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 65kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 84 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 50 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 83.5 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 32 Hz (-6.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.18 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1 lbs (470 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.0 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +5.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 340 Hz | -1.5 dB | 0.18 |
| Peak | 1,902 Hz | +6.8 dB | 1.60 |
| Peak | 3,470 Hz | -3.7 dB | 1.05 |
| Peak | 9,114 Hz | +3.4 dB | 2.07 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 970 Hz | -1.0 dB | 4.33 |
| Peak | 62 Hz | -0.4 dB | 1.81 |
| Peak | 119 Hz | +0.3 dB | 1.64 |
| Peak | 1,386 Hz | +0.6 dB | 3.74 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons