Headphones with volume controls

[Gnesen]

I always wondered why some headphones have built-in volume controls when a vast majority do not. I don’t know if this is the primary reason, but an old pair of Realistic Nova Pros have been very helpful for listening to sources with headphone jacks with fixed volume outputs (e.g. many CD players and cassette decks). Are there any other reasons for headphones to have volume control, other than convenience? If you’re already tethered to a short leash, it seems just as easy to control the volume at the source.

 

[swechsler]

It's an additional expense, and an additional component in the signal path that's unnecessary for most users. I wouldn't use a headphone jack built into a tape deck for serious listening; it's mostly an afterthought and it will be a cheap amp.

 

[Gnesen]

It's an additional expense, and an additional component in the signal path that's unnecessary for most users. I wouldn't use a headphone jack built into a tape deck for serious listening; it's mostly an afterthought and it will be a cheap amp.

Yep, I agree with everything you wrote. I only use the headphones in the photo I posted to test sources with fixed output volume, as using regular 'phones to do this is generally too loud for my ears. And it's easier to test and make adjustments to components via the headphone jack than to hook up to a full stereo.

Anyway, I don't use those headphones for critical listening, I was just curious if I was missing something as to why some headphones have volume controls at all.