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Speakers vs. headphones

I’ve spent many, many years building a stereo system that I finally can say I’m satisfied with, but recently had to make a change due to a complaint of “too much noise” in the house.  So, headphones were the answer.  
After just a few days of listening with a middling headphone (HIFIMAN Ananda) and inexpensive DAT (Firefly Cobalt,) I find myself enjoying (and getting into) the music  more.  Of course my system objectively is much better and cost light years more.  However, I find there is a certain intimacy, seemingly being closer to the music, and of course no distracting audible room effects to deal with. 
I’m not giving up speaker listening but what a pleasant surprise.
 

Who knew?

rvpiano

Showing 2 responses by big_greg

big_greg
6,721 posts
 

I've had the opposite journey.  I have built three nice headphone rigs and have about a dozen headphones including some high-end cans like Audeze LCD-4, Senn HD800, and Sony MDR-Z1R.

As my two channel systems improved I find myself so involved with the detail, soundstage, imaging, and dynamics of the system that I don't want to limit myself to what headphones are able to present.  And it's nice not to have anything sitting on your head while you're listening.

big_greg
6,721 posts
 

Some great points about how even lower cost headphones can sound really good.  I bought a pair of wireless bluetooth headphones to wear while mowing the lawn.  They are not "accurate" at all, lots of treble emphasis and the noise cancelling (which really works!) does some weird things, but all the same, I found myself really enjoying the music and hearing things I hadn't noticed before while listening at very moderate volume.

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