I like speakers

[Audio-Me]

Very much so.

But in reality, I use headphones 90% of the time, and they help me fall asleep better. No question as to why I like using headphones. Even if I were rich, I still wouldn't phase out of the use of them.

[BenG]

Yes, I started with mainly speakers, got really hooked on headphones for a while, and now I'm about a 50% speaker listener. I really don't think people should diss one for the other without good reason.

Like alot of people, the 7506s were my first good set of cans and basically told me that speaker listening isn't perfect(aiotron will love that). Even now, with acoustic panels & NHT speakers measured to the inch in placement, I still can't get the same focus and minute detail I get with those god damned Sonys.

[setmenu]

You do also get more choice with top end speakers.
headphones more often than not seem to be thought of as a
cheap accessory.

[Audio-Me]

cheaper

[Xander]

I enjoy them both... But...

It was more of an adventure for me. Headphones offer a great deal of sound for a small price. What they dont offer, is, well.. I'm not exactly sure. The easiest way to say it is "speakers have it" and "headphones dont". Speakers just tend to sound more natural, and it's a lot easier even for a lower fidelity speaker to fool me into thinking I'm hearing a drum or whatever in front of me. Headphones, to me lack a serious "fun" or excitement factor. Big bass drum hits, massive air movement, overall exciting things that get juices flowing when listening to music. Headphones are more like little whispers in your ears, theres no feeling or livelyness. No getting kicked in the chest. Two very different beasts...

I'll eventually come back, and probably get the K501s.. Right now I'm working on a speaker rig, but the main thing with headphones that I'm going to miss is being able to move around and still get good sound, this is impossible with speakers. Perfect imaging, no refractions.. What I'll miss most however, is laying in bed with the lights off. Just me and my cans. Ahhh...

Don't worry though, I'll still mingle around with the rest of you hacks.

[pigmode]

If the situation allows, speakers are the usual choice for a main system--at least for most of the world. That said, HPs are an essential part of that system imo. I still want a higher quality HP amp and will probably order a spare 501 in a month or two. Were the planets to align at an auspiscious moment, I may even acquire an HP-1. Other than that, my days of theorizing and experimenting with HPs are over.

There should be a speaker forum here.

[Old Pa]

I have fallen into the habit of "scanning" new CDs over the speakers first for overview, then listening critically with the cans for licks and lyrics. When I get back to the speakers again, I know the music better and enjoy more detail. Works for me . . .

[tktran]

For me it largely depends on what I'm listening to and the mood I'm in.

Lately I've been listening to the likes of Diana Krall, Alison Krauss, Chris Isaak, Eric Clapton... they all sound much better on speakers.

Kicking back, having the lights dimmed and listening to smooth, sultry jazz. All at low volumes... I start to float away...

Or if I'm up for some funky beats eg. Appleheadz - In My Sky (Killer Loop remix) and Matthew B - Night Shift, I crank up the stereo. Fills the room with sound and really thumps the chest.

I still have use for headphones though. When it's quiet at night and I want to listen LOUD, or when I'm exercising and need some motivation.

[Hirsch]

I started with speakers, still listen to speakers, and will continue to listen to speakers. I like a large *external* soundstage that headphones just can't produce. However, I also had a set of Koss Pro 4AA's a looonnnggg time ago, and have had a set of headphones as well as a speaker setup as long as I can remember.

I watch a fair number of DVD's and am a pre/pro away from a 7.1 surround system (should be able to fix that this month), and have yet to hear a competent seven channel headphone

I also live in a multiunit building. My upstairs neighbors might be a bit unhappy if I started running my speakers at 3 am, but they seem to be OK with my playing my headphones then

I like to listen to music at work, but I don't think the government would really like me setting up an audiophile level speaker system in my office.

I do some sound processing on my PC. If I want to hear what's going on, headphones give me a much better monitoring capability than computer speakers).

A sound system is a tool for the enjoyment of music. However, there are a variety of ways and situations in which music plays a role. To me, the question of headphone or speaker is somewhat silly. It's simply a matter of selecting the right tool for the situation at hand. Sometimes that will be speakers, other times it will be headphones.

[gerG]

I do my serious, critical listening in front of speakers. Unfortunately it requires work and dedication. I have to fire up a bunch of components, then I have to sit in the right spot and have my head pointed in the right direction to get the best results. If it is my outdoor system I have to uncover things and pull out port plugs which keep my subs from becoming packrat nests (little bastards). All of this also requires time.

Headphones are casual listening, with excellent results independent of the room/chair/orientation that I am in. I don't get the amazing image that speakers can deliver, but sometimes I will trade that for not having to focus or expend effort. This is especially true after a rough day at work.