Why R10? - Page 4

On rereading this thread, I realize I don't fully understand this concept. I was under the impression that soundstage was to speakers as headstage was to headphones. How else do you use the term?

"headstage" is a darth nut's term... look for his very long rew about the Omega II.

Best!
Nicola

Actually headphones create BOTH headstage and soundstage.

It is your state of mind that decides whether it is the headstage or the soundstage you become aware of.

When you put on a skeptic’s hat and refuse to be drawn into the illusion weaved by the music, you will become conscious that the soundfield is very small and personal. This small soundfield is called the headstage.

When we allow ourselves to be drawn into the music and drawn into the illusion of space weaved by the music, we perceive the soundstage.

Headstage and soundstage are not exclusive experiences. During the course of listening to your headphones, you drift interchangably between headstage and soundstage.

Fortunately most of us have learnt how to overcome this restricted soundfield. Many of us have learnt how to appreciate a large soundstage despite the small headstage, but it is a very personal experience. Most of us have learnt how to appreciate a large soundstage despite the small headstage only after a lapse of time (weeks? months?) of re-training our ears to adjust to the strange reality headphone-listening.

Listening to headphones requires a “meditative state of mind” where we psychologically negate the reality of the small headstage, and willingly throw ourselves into the illusion of the soundstage. Not everyone can enter into this “meditative state”, which is why not many people can tolerate the idea of headphones on their heads.

We headphone enthusiasts should count ourselves lucky that we are so susceptible to the charms of headphone listening.

(note: large portions of the above text were copied from another post I made just now, coincidentally about the same issue)

Thanks, Darth Nut - that was good.

Darth Nut has also articulated the difference between soundstage and headstage beautifully in his (((very long))) but (((very good))) review of the Stax Omega II's. See here but be sure that you have a few minutes (err, hours) to spare.

This review by Darth Nut should be required reading for anyone who wants to know anything about headphone listening. I've read it three times and am still learning from his wisdom and experience.

I'm on the R10 side of the preference fence and also have HP1's. I'd also like to add that personally, I have found that regular meditation helps the listening experience (found it to help most experiences actually)!

Also Nik, have you tried a power regenerator?