When you take the room completely out of the equation, the nearfield listening experience of cans can sound amazingly clear, but for most of the reasons above I rarely listen to music on my headphones, including my Sennheiser HD600's which are my favorites of what I own.. But one of the biggest reasons is that headphones in general give me ear fatigue, and aggravate my right ear tinnitus. Always have, and I can remember this from 40 years ago. This isn't the case with my speakers. It is hard to say why this is. I read somewhere that sound going directly into the ear can be more damaging. I don't know if this is true or if I am simply unconsciously playing them at a higher db (at the ear drum) because I am trying to compensate for a lack of something, probably bass that is felt in the body when listening on speakers capable of good clean bass. Anyway, while there can be uses for cans, I would far rather listen to good speakers in a good room.
Headphones or Speakers?
- Thread starter Ron Brown
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tomlinmgt
Lunatic Member
Although I've certainly enjoyed listening to music through a great set of headphones, I've never been able to connect with them like I have a great set of speakers. There's something about the physical presence of a pair of speakers and the way they populate the space around them with sonic energy and the effect that can have on the body. It's...well, it's magical when it's really good. I just haven't ever had that kind of experience with headphones.
Thorsten R.
Super Member
I love listening with good speakers. But the overall quality I can experience with my HD 250 Linear (600 Ohms) I love the most.
Perhaps a fifth category. I can tell the difference: sometimes I prefer headphones, sometimes speakers.
Chris Brown
Super Member
I use them both for different situations.
I spend more total hours listening via headphones, because my headphone setup is part of my primary computer setup. I often listen to music in the background while I'm doing stuff on the computer, and I spend a lot of time on the computer... This is also when I usually discover new music and create new playlists.
I usually listen to speakers as part of a dedicated listening session, using playlists that were created while listening to headphones. I also tend to use the stereo when I have friends over. The stereo is more fun.
My headphones certainly don't have any lack of bass. My Sony MDR-XB700 headphones are actually amazing in that regard. You still don't get the whole body experience that you get with speakers, but it can do deep bass so amazingly well that it can actually cause my vision to become blurry when the deep bass hits. Most other headphones that have "good" bass don't even come close.
I spend more total hours listening via headphones, because my headphone setup is part of my primary computer setup. I often listen to music in the background while I'm doing stuff on the computer, and I spend a lot of time on the computer... This is also when I usually discover new music and create new playlists.
I usually listen to speakers as part of a dedicated listening session, using playlists that were created while listening to headphones. I also tend to use the stereo when I have friends over. The stereo is more fun.
My headphones certainly don't have any lack of bass. My Sony MDR-XB700 headphones are actually amazing in that regard. You still don't get the whole body experience that you get with speakers, but it can do deep bass so amazingly well that it can actually cause my vision to become blurry when the deep bass hits. Most other headphones that have "good" bass don't even come close.
I have about 10 pairs of speakers and one set of headphones and dont remember the last time i listened to the headphones, im listening with speakers right now.
Artie
Super Member
While I prefer to listen with speakers, the reality of my listening environment is that headphones work better. (Late night, or wife watching TV), so voted headphones. I switch back and forth between Beyer DT-770 Pro's and Sennheiser HD-260 Pro's. Both are good, but different.
I've tried to use headphones, I really have. I never use them though, they sit around sad and lonely until I eventually pick up a different set, convinced that this will be the pair that I will actually listen to. They never are, I'm just not a headphone kinda guy, they don't really suit my listening habits I suppose.
Condorsat
Audio Enthusiast
Both, my living room mains is 2.1 ch stereo speakers ... used in the traditionally way .. no need to elaborate.
My other two systems are headphones. I own 7 pairs of headphones & frequently swap equipment configurations on cans more so than my speaker rig. I can tailor the sound to my liking for particular albums I select to play .. on the fly.
My other two systems are headphones. I own 7 pairs of headphones & frequently swap equipment configurations on cans more so than my speaker rig. I can tailor the sound to my liking for particular albums I select to play .. on the fly.
BorisBadenuf
Active Member
I think I have a fairly respectable pair of headphones, AKG K271 MKII, and they sound "nice", but my Hales System II Signature speakers put the headphones to shame when it comes to spacial projection and being able to hear nuances such as the singer taking a breath just before singing. Stage placement of the instruments and the singer is incredible with my speakers. I just don't get that with headphones.
twiiii
Lunatic Member
Well if you have point source speakers then great headphones such as the 650 or 800 model from Sennheiser or electrostatics from STAX are going to be a real revelation for you. You will be hearing all sorts of detailed information you never new was there. IF you have line arrays from Magnepan for instance or Mcintosh or Infinity you won't be surprised at all. Rooms can cause all sorts of issues you won't experience with head phones. Its like looking at an old 35 inch Mitsubishi TV with 480 signal versus and 85 inch or 77 inch OLED display. You won't believe the difference over an old fashion 1080P plasma display. I still prefer my line array Mac and Bozak speakers, but for infinitely small details only a pair of electrostatic Stax headphones are the answer. I have a pair. But for 99% of the time line arrays give me all the detail I need. I don't like the sound being on top of my head from ear to ear as an arc. Thats what headphones give me be they dynamic or electrostatic. So I use head phones when I want to analyze a recording not to enjoy it. I will admit I use my 598 Sennheiser for casual listening with my Mac Book pro and my my iPhone 15 pro when I am out of the house and killing time. Waiting at a car dealership or at the Doctor's office or waiting for an airplane arrival, etc.
BorisBadenuf
Active Member
I very much understand what you're saying. Quality tools, no matter what purpose, will make a significant difference. I'm not sure I want to spend the money necessary for a high quality set of headphones; although the child in me would love to own a pair so as to enjoy that level of sonic enjoyment.