[russdenney]

I am curious if there is a significant portion of this community that prefer a listening experience with a good set of cans versus regular loud speakers.
 
Any of you?
 
Russ

 

[PurpleAngel]

I use headphones over speakers like 90% of the time.

 

[russdenney]

  I use headphones over speakers like 90% of the time.

I assume that is due to preference and not necessity?
 
What is it about the headphone experience you prefer?

 

[PurpleAngel]

  I assume that is due to preference and not necessity?
 
What is it about the headphone experience you prefer?

 
My $500 headphones have more clarity then my $170 studio monitors.
Also using closed headphones really helps block outside noise.

 

[Rdrcr]

Headphones are nice but, they can't replicate the sound of a quality speaker setup.
 
Mike

 

[russdenney]

   
My $500 headphones have more clarity then my $170 studio monitors.
Also using closed headphones really helps block outside noise.

Interesting.
 
Do you think your ratio of headphone/loudspeaker listening would be the same if you had a pair of $1000 home speakers (assuming they are of higher quality than your existing pair).

 

[luyairis]

I would definitely use my speaker setup over my headphones, no matter how good the cans are.
 
But that's just personal preference.

 

[Audioholic123]

I am definitely more of a speaker guy.
 
Admittedly though my Denon AH-D5000's are far more visceral than any speaker i've heard...
But I think high end headphones can out-perform most speakers in this regard.
 
Nothing beats the physical feel of the bass frequencies generated by subwoofers/speakers IMO...

 

[buke9]

I think my speakers sound better than my headphone setup but the wife yells at me most of the time when I want to listen to them.

 

[russdenney]

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.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Interesting.
 
Do you think your ratio of headphone/loudspeaker listening would be the same if you had a pair of $1000 home speakers (assuming they are of higher quality than your existing pair).

 
I'm around people somewhat, so I can't have the studio monitors very loud,(no matter how good the quality of my studio monitors are).

 

[buke9]

Polk LSi15's here pre out's of a Denon AVR and powered by a Adcom GFA-555 for two channel setup. Still sounds better than my Ether-C's out of a QP1R even though I love it. Apples and oranges your right.

 

[happychef]

I'v always preferred headphones it's mostly at work I listen out loud

 

[buke9]

   
I'm around people somewhat, so I can't have the studio monitors very loud,(no matter how good the quality of my studio monitors are).

I can crank up my Carvin X-100B with 4X12's and my Tele and I can play louder than I want to without the cops being called. The wife might break out a gun though. 

 

[PurpleAngel]

  I can crank up my Carvin X-100B with 4X12's and my Tele and I can play louder than I want to without the cops being called. The wife might break out a gun though. 

 
Your wife has a gun, I like her