I think a headphone system can simulate the concert hall experience very well, but it will always fall somewhat short in that regard when compared in performance to a well tuned 2-channel or multi-channel speaker system, assuming we can take the quality or "perfection" of both systems for granted. Similarly, or conversely, speaker systems can produce fantastic, and often magical, feats in refined detail retrieval but they cannot reproduce the sense of intimate and immediate sensory connection with those details within their soundscapes in the same way that an equally good headphone system is capable of, again assuming we can take the perfection of tuning in both cases for granted, In other words, I agree with the idea that the two presentations (of speaker-- vs headphone systems) are ultimately and essentially different and should ideally not even be compared.
The essential difference I have in mind lies in the fact that a speaker-system's performance inevitably calls into play a plethora of issues involving room-acoustics, room treatment, and speaker-placement, i.e. issues which a headphone system can typically dispense with for better or for worse. Either way the differences are complex and should not be treated lightly as suggested by this video discussion :
It would be logical, not to mention, easy, to suggest that those seeking a primarily concert-hall-like reproduction of the sonic details and ambience of any particular track should listen to that particular track on a good speaker system in an appropriately tuned room and be done with it, whereas those looking for a more intimate connection with the details of the frequency spectrum within the space that is in and around the head should opt for listening to the track on a good headphone system which will eliminate issues of room acoustics and be done with it. It would be likewise easy to say that seeking speaker system effects while listening to a headphone, or expecting headphone system effects while listening to a speaker system would almost inevitably produce some kind of shortfall that is ultimately unsatisfying, and that both types of expectations should not be encouraged, but whom would I be kidding right?. Given that we are also dealing with human nature in this hobby, it might also be wise to acknowledge that these tendencies of wanting to hear the effect of speakers in headphones, and the effects of headphone listening in speakers cannot always be avoided or prevented, given how all too human the "misplaced" expectations themselves are.
Now with all that being said, If I were to encounter the following question on a pop quiz :
"Who is most likely to gripe at a headphone system for not sounding enough like a speaker system, or at the latter not sounding enough like the former, my answer would be "An audiophile," if by that we mean someone who specializes in pursuing near-impossible accomplishments or feats in the the quest for satisfying experiences in audio enjoyment.
Of course some of the claims here (not all) are made in jest, so don't take everything so seriously. It's just a hobby
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