Short answer: the HIFIMAN HE6se V2. It ranks #48 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $792.24; the HIFIMAN Mini Shangri-La ranks #87, rated 3.9/5, and costs $859, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
Why pick the HIFIMAN HE6se V2: 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 HIFIMAN HE6se V2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the HIFIMAN Mini Shangri-La and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| HIFIMAN HE6se V2 | HIFIMAN Mini Shangri-La | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $792.24 | $859.00 |
| Ranked | #48 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #87 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 84 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 79 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.19 dB standard deviation | 2.22 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.18 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.39 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 32 Hz (-6.1 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 53 Hz (-11.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Electrostatic |
| Impedance | 50 ohms | - |
| Sensitivity | 83.5 dB | - |
| Weight | 1 lbs (470 g) | 0.7 lbs (320 g) |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 65kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 7Hz - 90kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How HIFIMAN HE6se V2 compares with other leading options:
- HEDD Audio D1 vs HIFIMAN HE6se V2
- HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth vs HIFIMAN HE6se V2
- Focal Hadenys vs HIFIMAN HE6se V2
- HIFIMAN Mini Shangri-La vs Meze 109 Pro
- HIFIMAN Mini Shangri-La vs Focal Bathys
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Headphones In Full
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
HIFIMAN Mini Shangri-La: $859.00 Amazon eBay
Full HIFIMAN Mini Shangri-La review and specifications →
| Released | Jun 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.22 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Electrostatic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 7Hz - 90kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 79 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 53 Hz (-11.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.39 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (320 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons