Short answer: the HIFIMAN HE6. It ranks #42 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $1,899. The Aune AR9000 ranks #78, rated 4.0/5, at $1,399, $500 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the HIFIMAN HE6: A preference score of 85 and a smooth deviation of 2.2 dB around the target show a well-controlled response, with low mids within 0.5 dB of target for natural male vocals and guitars. The tradeoff: Sub-bass falls about 5 dB short under 60 Hz and the bass region is nearly 2 dB light, so kick drums and bass synths lack weight.
Buy the HIFIMAN HE6. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $500 saving on the Aune AR9000 is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| HIFIMAN HE6 | Aune AR9000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,899.00 | $1,399.00 |
| Ranked | #42 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #78 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 85 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 81 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.20 dB standard deviation | 2.09 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.14 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.40 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.8 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 50 ohms | 43 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 83.5 dB | 102 dB SPL |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 65kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 4Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Weight | - | 0.9 lbs (430 g) |
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- HIFIMAN HE6 vs HIFIMAN HE1000se
- Aune AR9000 vs HIFIMAN HE1000se
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
HIFIMAN HE6: $1,899.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 85 and a smooth deviation of 2.2 dB around the target show a well-controlled response, with low mids within 0.5 dB of target for natural male vocals and guitars. Presence and air sit about 1.5 dB above target, adding some openness. Its tilt is almost perfectly neutral at 0.14.
Cons: Sub-bass falls about 5 dB short under 60 Hz and the bass region is nearly 2 dB light, so kick drums and bass synths lack weight. Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is around 3.5 dB low, with a 6 dB dip near 9.8 kHz and a 6 dB peak near 11.9 kHz. At 50 ohms and 83.5 dB sensitivity it is hard to drive and needs a powerful dedicated headphone amp, and the open back leaks sound. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full HIFIMAN HE6 review and specifications →
| Released | 2010 (16 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.20 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 65kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 85 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 50 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 83.5 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.14 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.3 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 | +4.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,082 Hz | +6.7 dB | 1.71 |
| Peak | 1,368 Hz | -2.7 dB | 0.46 |
| Peak | 4,783 Hz | -5.9 dB | 2.45 |
| Peak | 6,698 Hz | +4.7 dB | 1.96 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 185 Hz | -0.9 dB | 0.85 |
| Peak | 698 Hz | +0.8 dB | 0.87 |
| Peak | 1,027 Hz | -1.0 dB | 2.16 |
| Peak | 71 Hz | -0.4 dB | 1.83 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Aune AR9000: $1,399.00 Headphones.com eBay
Full Aune AR9000 review and specifications →
| Released | 2026 (this year) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.09 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 4Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 81 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 43 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB SPL |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.40 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (430 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons