Short answer: the HIFIMAN HE6. Both are rated 4.1/5 for sound quality (#42 and #45 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the HIFIMAN HE6 costs $1,899 against $2,395 for the Warwick Acoustics Bravura, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
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. Watch for: 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.
What the Warwick Acoustics Bravura does well: A preference score of 85 in oratory1990’s measurement, with low mids within 0.2 dB of target so vocals, piano and strings sound natural and uncolored. Watch for: It is electrostatic and needs a dedicated electrostatic energizer; it will not run from a phone or standard headphone amp.
Buy the HIFIMAN HE6. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $496 less than the Warwick Acoustics Bravura.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| HIFIMAN HE6 | Warwick Acoustics Bravura | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,899.00 | $2,395.00 |
| Ranked | #42 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #45 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 85 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 85 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.20 dB standard deviation | 1.91 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.14 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.36 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.8 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 45 Hz (-6.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Electrostatic |
| Impedance | 50 ohms | - |
| Sensitivity | 83.5 dB | - |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 65kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 60kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | - | 1 x single-ended electrostatic (3570mm² diaphragm) |
| Weight | - | 0.9 lbs (403 g) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
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- Sennheiser HD 800 S vs HIFIMAN HE6
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- HIFIMAN HE6 vs HIFIMAN HE1000se
- HIFIMAN HE6 vs Aune AR9000
- AKG K812 vs Warwick Acoustics Bravura
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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 |
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Warwick Acoustics Bravura: $2,395.00 Headphones.com eBay
Pros: A preference score of 85 in oratory1990’s measurement, with low mids within 0.2 dB of target so vocals, piano and strings sound natural and uncolored. The response is smooth through the midrange, and its relaxed treble (about 4 dB under target from 6 to 10 kHz) stays easy to listen to for long sessions. It rates level with the AKG K812 and above the HIFIMAN HE1000se.
Cons: It is electrostatic and needs a dedicated electrostatic energizer; it will not run from a phone or standard headphone amp. Sub-bass falls 6 dB below target at 45 Hz and an 8.3 dB dip near 6.3 kHz dulls cymbals, so bass-heavy and bright recordings lose some impact. At 403 g it is heavy, and the open back leaks sound.
Full Warwick Acoustics Bravura review and specifications →
| Released | 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.91 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Electrostatic |
| Drivers | 1 x single-ended electrostatic (3570mm² diaphragm) |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 60kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 85 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 45 Hz (-6.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.36 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (403 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.8 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 | +6.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 606 Hz | -2.6 dB | 1.18 |
| Peak | 74 Hz | -5.2 dB | 1.45 |
| Peak | 7,673 Hz | +1.9 dB | 0.18 |
| Peak | 1,097 Hz | -3.8 dB | 5.72 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,464 Hz | +2.2 dB | 3.07 |
| Peak | 4,978 Hz | -1.8 dB | 3.76 |
| Peak | 205 Hz | -0.8 dB | 2.12 |
| Peak | 6,414 Hz | +3.0 dB | 5.94 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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