Headphones vs Surround Sound Setup

[Delta Force]

Hey guys if you have the money would you go for top-end (several Ks) headphones or a high-end stereo speakers? And if the same question is asked for lower-tiered headphones and speakers, which would you spend on and why?

Also, which would be better for listening to music (if privacy is not an issue)?

 

[Duggeh]

I had 5.1 and headphones. I sold the 5.1, although it wasnt worth several Ks.

If I had the money to spend now, I'd put it into stereo, not surround. For listening to music, stereo speakers would be my pick, then headphones then 5.1

For most music you're only using 2.0 anyway.

 

[Fitz]

Two channel speaker system FTW. I could get dealer pricing on a lot of major brands to put together a surround sound system for cheap, but I'm sticking with my vintage two channel system.

 

[Delta Force]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duggeh /img/forum/go_quote.gif I had 5.1 and headphones. I sold the 5.1, although it wasnt worth several Ks. If I had the money to spend now, I'd put it into stereo, not surround. For listening to music, stereo speakers would be my pick, then headphones then 5.1 For most music you're only using 2.0 anyway.

Ok thanks for the responses and for your clarification. I guess I have to rephrase the question to "stereo speakers" now.

 

[Fitz]

I still vote speakers... I don't really like headphones all that much.

 

[ex0du5]

If I had my own place, definately a high end surround system, with the focus on the 2 main channels. But since I'm living at home while I go through university, headphones will do great. Personally, I find headphones much more involving and mesmerizing than speakers while I listen to music though.

Also, I have to go down to the home theatre room and sit in a centered position in front of the speakers to listen, while I can multitask while wearing headphones

.

 

[Fitz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ex0du5 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Also, I have to go down to the home theatre room and sit in a centered position in front of the speakers to listen, while I can multitask while wearing headphones .

I put a good speaker system on my desk too so I can use them while working/playing at the computer. They take up like half my desk but that's no big deal.

 

[ex0du5]

I'm just not satisfied with any of the speakers small enough to fit on my desk. I also feel I'll get much better performance out of $300 headphones, rather than $300 stereo speakers.

 

[Fitz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ex0du5 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm just not satisfied with any of the speakers small enough to fit on my desk. I also feel I'll get much better performance out of $300 headphones, rather than $300 stereo speakers.

You have it backwards, you adjust the desk to fit the speakers, not get speakers that fit the desk. The speakers I have on mine are a couple feet tall and weigh 40 pounds or so each. You can get killer used speakers for just a couple hundred bucks, which I find way more enjoyable than headphones costing a couple thousand bucks.

 

[Duggeh]

I'd pick my speakers over headphones as a primary choice for almost any use. I keep saying to myself I'll downsize my headphone collection because of this. I never seem to get round to it.

 

[ericj]

I bought my ADS L810's for $24. I've spent probably $100 repairing them. They also need new veneer and grilles.

A little big to put on a desk. I could potentially use them to hold up a desk.

but fitz is right - if you don't need 'new speaker smell' you can get truly outstanding speakers for about $300/pr.

 

[robert1325]

you probably will yes

 

[robm321]

2 Channel speaker system if privacy or room is not an issue

Then regular headphones

 

[sharkz]

I have a chance to get a pair of good condition Acoustic Research AR-90's for free. Need to decide if I want them or not. If I do get them, I need to invest in some sort of receiver, but in the long run, I think it would be worth it.

 

[nibiyabi]

I don't think I'll ever get a surround sound setup -- similarly priced two-channel setups will always blow the surround setup out of the water. I can only imagine that perhaps movies would sound better with surround sound but then why would you bother with an amazing surround sound setup when the source is utter garbage? I will forever have a headphone collection and two speakers.