Headphones vs speakers….

Exactly...

And it can beat on many acoustic factors even speakers systems of superior cost , especially those which are not in a dedicated acoustic room...

They dont compare , ....but with a BACCH filter system they may became IDENTICAL...

Anyway my Headphone system will cost me 1,600 dollars, 100, headphone, 200 dac, 300 amplifier, 1000 pre-amp or headphone amplifier and they will beat  many if not most very costly speakers system in a living room...

One true thing about phones is for $2000-3000 you can get some that are comparable to >$20,000 speakers, so they are an audio bargain in that sense. I am happy with my Sennheisers for now, and will hold off upgrading them and put the money elsewhere in my system. FWIW.

I have tried several times over the years to like headphones. I have some nice headphones and headphone amps. I rarely use them; much prefer listening to speakers.

With that said, I have several very nice speaker based systems, two of which use active ATCs.

@simonmoon

Exactly! re "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."

The recreation of the soundstage, like a holographic image of the band or musicians arrayed in front of you (not between your ears), with soundstage depth and width—that is something headphones won’t do same as speakers. It makes a huge difference to me too.

@thomastrouble Since you like the Maggies so much I would suggest the LRS+ with a KEF KC62 sub. I have this setup in a small room with a Sanders MagTech amp. My preamp is the Benchmark LA4. I would not use the Benchmark AHB2 with the LRS+.

The PeachTree GAN400 ($1500 used) is rather good with the LRS+ but the MagTech is better.

The LRS+ setup is sonically very similar to my RAAL SR1a earphone setup. I turn off the LRS+ system when it gets late at night and crank up the SR1a system.

I sold my RAAL VM-1a headphone amp to raise some money. I found out that the $800 RAAL TI-1b amp interface can get me to 90% of the VM-1a using the expensive CODA #16 amp. It is not quite as good with the PeachTree GAN400 but close. The VM-1a is so amazing that getting to 90% of that is still great sound.

I hope to get a Class A Schitt Aegir 20-watt amp today ($800) to hopefully rival the CODA #16 with the SR1a earphones + TI-1b interface.

I disliked all headphones i bought save one... (9 headphones of three different types )

I prefer my 2 way box speakers M-Audio Mv 40 , payed 100 bucks IN AN ACOUSTIC CORNER DESIGNED FOR THEM , to any headphone.... Save the one i love... AKG K340...After loosing my big speakers/acoustic room , they save me from audiophile despair... My little box now astound me for the ratio S.Q. /price but ONLY in a dedicated corner acoustically designed for them... Nearfield listening NEVER replace acoustic... Sorry ....

I have tried several times over the years to like headphones. I have some nice headphones and headphone amps. I rarely use them; much prefer listening to speakers.

With that said, I have several very nice speaker based systems, two of which use active ATCs.