I believe that it is much easier to reproduce life-like dynamics with phones than with speakers, probably for the reason oft stated above, that there is less air to move. Some experts believe that it is the gulf between the dynamics of live versus recorded music that make it easiest for us to discriminate between them. If that is true, then it follows that phones would get there easier than speakers and be preferred by many.
Why do headphones sound so good...
compared to speakers? Someone posed this question on a guitar forum I participate in. I didn't really know how to answer the question.
I basically stated that good 'phones can be had for a hundred bucks but good speakers cost a few grand. Not including the cost of good electronics (a few thousand more). So, for pretty short money, an iPod and a set of Grado's, for example, you can get pretty damn good sound reproduction vs. a full blown Hifi set up. I believe that a good room filling stereo blows away any set of 'phones. But without cost as a factor.
Thoughts?
I basically stated that good 'phones can be had for a hundred bucks but good speakers cost a few grand. Not including the cost of good electronics (a few thousand more). So, for pretty short money, an iPod and a set of Grado's, for example, you can get pretty damn good sound reproduction vs. a full blown Hifi set up. I believe that a good room filling stereo blows away any set of 'phones. But without cost as a factor.
Thoughts?