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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?
hammergjh
tarsando
578 posts
 
They get into your head with the music in a way that is unique.
osgorth
109 posts
 
There's no room to distort the sound on its way to your ears.. That really does a lot!

Other than that, phones are much cheaper to produce (but not necessarily simpler). To get the best out of a good pair of phones you still need a high quality source, amplification and great cabling however. When you do have that though, they're hard to beat. :)
schipo
1,268 posts
 
No, the truth is there are no room bonderies or reflextions off walls and furniture that impeds sound reproduction from sounding its best. But not all of us are comfortable with this type of listening, but if you are enjoy.
uraniumcommittee
60 posts
 
1) Less air to move
2) Less air to move
3) Less air to move
4) No room acoustics to affect sound
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