Are Headphones Fit for Serious Music Listening?
Not for me they’re not, but I welcome and appreciate that they might be for you. Here’s why:
First, I am aware that extraordinary headphone gear exists out there, rivaling the best of 2-channel gear.
Second, I do own headphones myself. They’re Bowers & Wilkins; I think they’re a pretty decent set. They live in my gym bag because I listen to podcasts with them.
As I rejoin the audio fold, it becomes more and more clear to me that different folks experience music in different ways, leading them to different head spaces and different beliefs and different corners of this hobby. Yes, that much should be self-evident, yet many people don’t seem too aware of it; they think their way is the way, and they’re quick to dismiss other people’s points of view, sometimes in terms that can be unpleasant to witness.
The number of fruitless arguments we see around here could be greatly reduced if folks respected the diverse ways in which other folks consume, appreciate, enjoy, and love their music, and agreed to disagree.
Back on topic - i strongly believe that - for me - music is to be felt as well as heard.
I’m not necessarily talking about 115 dB peaks and wall-shaking electronic sub-bass, though that’s fun too. I’m talking about the tangible, tactile quality of tight, well-controlled bass that envelops the entire head and is felt in the chest as sound waves radiate, deep inside the chest if one’s amps + speakers couple allows it.
I’m listening to A Tribe Called Red’s Nation II Nation album as I write this. VC is on 35 out of 100, probably no louder than 70 dB, yet I distinctly feel the waves of tribal drumming hit my body, in ways wholly unrelated to my hearing sense yet deeply complementary to it.
And there you have it: headphones, by definition, don’t / can’t give this to me, so - for me - headphones don’t work for serious music listening. But they’re great for podcasts.
How about you guys? How do you experience your music, and how loud do you like it?
For me, headphone are for someone who cannot enjoy a full-range audio system at home, or doesn't have the cash, and that's okay, but only for them, not me. I cannot imagine, even as good as they can be, why one would prefer headphones unless they want to listen in an apartment late at night. I did break down and buy noise cancelling earbuds for flights and listening when I am away from home. |
...read recently that Grado came out with 2 new ones that wouldn’t necessarily cancel out your I prefer to give a listen to a set prior to plunking down the dollars, but other than Guitar Center or Best Buy there’s not many options ’round ’ere.... Have 4 on head or in ear....My aids, a pair that can double for cancellation duties, a Vmode Crossfade, and an old pair of Advents’. First pair was the Koss 4A’s....would still have them, but they literally fell apart.
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SR1A with sub(s) is probably not the right main system setup for me. Since I have no SPL limitations at home, traditional speakers make the most sense I think. Still, I'm intrigued and I would love to audition it.
@yyzsantabarbara that's high praise, considering that woofers don't perform optimally in open baffle designs. if memory serves you've mentioned these speakers before, have you had a chance to audition them in your home?
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@devinplombier I have not spoken with Danny McKinney the designer in about a month. My issue is that I am trying to go cold turkey on all purchases at least until December 2025. I am working 2 jobs to get the financial house in order. I have been selling audio gear the last few weeks, including today with the Sanders Magtech amp. I will give Danny a call tomorrow and ask how the speaker is progressing. It should be ready soon and he already has a few sales queued just on his stellar reputation. I may be one of the few that has actually heard the prototype. Once I am clear on my finances I will get the open baffle. Wife is already OK with having 2 speakers in the Livingroom. Danny actually wants to try it in my Livingroom where my Yamaha NS5000 resides. The NS5000 sounds great in the space with the Schitt Yggi+ OG DAC, and he thinks his speaker will be even better. He has heard the NS5000 at my place and he loved it. I heard the prototype with my Schitt Yggi+ OG DAC at his home (not a good audio space) and it was great. The Yggi+ OG is something special with bass.
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