It is not an either/or proposition.  Hell,  the klipsche 299.00 computer speakers from best buy with a sub will create a better soundscape than the HD800s. No....not as accurate but better in other areas.  To revisit my position, you can do both and enjoy your music more as a result.  Look at the number of people here that own multiple headphone rigs.  What if one of those rigs was a cheap 2 channel rig?  Chances are they would have more to listen to than with another headphone rig.  Again, I thinks folks should own both.
 
Regarding the KEF LS50, you will have to write to stereophile and ask them why they put this little speaker in the same company as the Wilson.  I have owned several Wilson speakers all the way back to the Watt Puppy line and know what you mean but my point remains.  It was never about gear but the fact that there are options and people spending their hard earned cash should investigate all options.

m coupe said:

It is not an either/or proposition.  Hell,  the klipsche 299.00 computer speakers from best buy with a sub will create a better soundscape than the HD800s. No....not as accurate but better in other areas.  To revisit my position, you can do both and enjoy your music more as a result.  Look at the number of people here that own multiple headphone rigs.  What if one of those rigs was a cheap 2 channel rig?  Chances are they would have more to listen to than with another headphone rig.  Again, I thinks folks should own both.


 


Regarding the KEF LS50, you will have to write to stereophile and ask them why they put this little speaker in the same company as the Wilson.  I have owned several Wilson speakers all the way back to the Watt Puppy line and know what you mean but my point remains.  It was never about gear but the fact that there are options and people spending their hard earned cash should investigate all options.

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Completely agree with you. It a And And And position. Headphones can be switched easily. Speakers much less so And headphones will allow you (especially if you add tube amps) to adjust your sound or focus to your liking. For most setups you can cover both bases (HP and speaker) with the same source and even DAC and Preamp, so both if you have an open system should be there for most, unless you like mobility.

Regarding the Klipsch, well like them quite a lot, not familiar with their computer speakers, my old Klipschhorn I had and the RF II in walnut I bought used for 500€ fond memories... If you want to throw a party very hard to beat and really inexpensive, just don't have neighbors

The Klang und Ton are quite a category over the LS50s IMO, a real DIY highligh of the K+T magazine, great find and a steal. Really one of their best. I assume its a rather big category the stereophile category for including LS50 and Wilson XLF;


I am admittedly not a huge fan of studio monitors, but simple math, if you have a small listening space and distance similar to headphones you need a whole lot less to make great sound. I think this is where the appeal of monitors comes from. Limiting space, distance and power and instead improving the sound for much less money in a limited space.

That's where big rooms are a huge nightmare...

Cheers WB

If you ever have the chance, do go and have a listen to a setup running Harbeth Super HL5 Plus speakers. I had an audition with them several years ago that still resonates with me today. In essence, they produced the most effortless, natural and organic sound that I've ever heard from any system. If I had the budget for it, these would be the first expensive speakers I would own.

None of the TOTL headphones I've listened to have come close to that, a list that includes the LCD 3, HEK, HD800. Judging from the literature on the Abyss, Ether and even the Orpheus, this is a sound that isn't currently possible with headphones. The SR009 might have a word in but It would still be quite a bit behind..

That said, I'm still invested in headphones and will take it as far as I can go.

exsomnis said:

If you ever have the chance, do go and have a listen to a setup running Harbeth Super HL5 Plus speakers. I had an audition with them several years ago that still resonates with me today. In essence, they produced the most effortless, natural and organic sound that I've ever heard from any system. If I had the budget for it, these would be the first expensive speakers I would own.



None of the TOTL headphones I've listened to have come close to that, a list that includes the LCD 3, HEK, HD800. Judging from the literature on the Abyss, Ether and even the Orpheus, this is a sound that isn't currently possible with headphones. The SR009 might have a word in but It would still be quite a bit behind..



That said, I'm still invested in headphones and will take it as far as I can go.

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Yeah I heard about the Harbeth Super HL5 Plus, as being "end game" for some people and having very interesting characteristics. I heard a old version but have not heard the new one. Again this would be a monitor, but here a monitor plus plus. But for over 4K Euros, that could be a decent amount of change. I remember the old ones were superb even at really low volume levels and interesting elimination of the room.

Completely forgot about thoses, will see if I can check them out, Munich High End???

Cheers WB

russdenney said:

  I agree with the comments thus far for most.
 
I have a pair of Sennheiser HD800S (arguably upper end cans) and a pair of Polk LSiM703 bookshelf speakers with a separate 10" subwoofer (arguably middle of the road speakers). I am driving them both with a Marantz Reference series PM-11S3 2 channel integrated amp (middle to upper end amp)
 
Despite having spent nearly as much on my headphones as my home speakers, I can't bring myself to feel I get more out of the cans. I believe it is impossible to spatially replicate home loudspeakers and; thus, no headphone at any price can do what even "okay" home speakers do.
 
I even tried a pair of HiFiMan HE-1000 and had the same results. Yes, this is an apple to oranges comparison between a headphone and loudspeaker, I know. I am just curious how narrow the gap can be between cans and loudspeakers.

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russ, I too recently bought a pair of LSiM 703 they are great speakers, and not just for the price ! I have been into audio since the 1980's and these are becoming my favorite speakers. I don't really need a sub for music, never had a pair of bookshelf speakers that reach this low, this clean. This is my first pair of Polks,so I am not blinded by brand loyalty.
Now where headphones come into the picture for me is, lets say 3:00 am and I want to listen at louder levels. The 703's sound good at low levels so headphones are not being used as much as before the Polks.