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Headphones vs speakers….

So I’ve been patiently waiting to buy the final pieces for a Benchmark HAB2 and DAC3  system. I have the Totem 1 speakers and decided to hook them up to an old Naim Nait 5i (probably not the best pairing) and Cambridge Azur 840C CD player. Over the last few months I’ve been on a quest for great sound through headphones  and a headphone amp while I’m waiting and after maybe five sets of headphones I’ve found what I was looking for and I’m very happy.

After hooking up the Totems and Nait today I’m very disappointed. However, my room is far from treated yet - I have installed a large carpet, furnishings and will be hanging thick floor to ceiling curtains on the three walls - one behind the speakers and two side walls. However, wether I’ve been spoiled by the incredible sound of my headphone setup or I’ve been expecting too much from a full system  I can’t imagine after room treatment and dialing things in that I’ll be anywhere close to being as impressed as I am with my headphones…..do any of you guys feel this way or am I being too pessimistic?

 

thomastrouble

Showing 1 response by simonmoon

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simonmoon
476 posts
 

Despite having, and enjoying my pretty high end headphone and amp system (Grado GS3000, Astell and Kern amp, about $3500 combined), they will never, to me, sound as good as my full system.

They lack the visceral impact of my full system, which is a big part of what connects me, emotionally, to the music. In essence, the difference is loading my 1,600 cubic foot room with sound pressure, compared to the .122047 cubic inches of my ear canal.

Also, when I see live music, the musicians are in front of me, and their individual positions within the acoustic space they are inhabiting, is defined in front of me. Not coming from within my head.

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