bigshot
Headphoneus Supremus
The easiest way to understand it is to think in terms of dimensions. Headphones are one dimensional- a straight line left to right through the middle of your head. Speakers are two dimensional- a picture frame around a performance 8 to 12 feet in front of you. 5.1 is halfway to three dimensionsl- a clear soundstage up front and a sound field in the shape of a plane extending forward and behind. Dolby Atmos completes the third dimension with a three dimensional box of sound all around you- the sound field extends left/right, front/back and up/down.
Headphones - Headstage
Speakers - Soundstage
5.1 - Surround
Dolby Atmos - Immersion
I think the misuse of the term "soundstage" pertaining to headphones has led people to think that timing errors and waterfall plots are more important than they actually are. The real difference between open and closed sounding headstages is related to the mechanical aspects of the fit of the headphones, not the performance of the drivers. Just about any headphone can present phase and timing properly. That's what headphones do better than speakers.
(I almost always proofread and edit after I post to try to clarify. My brain doesn't always spit the idea out the way I want it the first pass!)
Headphones - Headstage
Speakers - Soundstage
5.1 - Surround
Dolby Atmos - Immersion
I think the misuse of the term "soundstage" pertaining to headphones has led people to think that timing errors and waterfall plots are more important than they actually are. The real difference between open and closed sounding headstages is related to the mechanical aspects of the fit of the headphones, not the performance of the drivers. Just about any headphone can present phase and timing properly. That's what headphones do better than speakers.
(I almost always proofread and edit after I post to try to clarify. My brain doesn't always spit the idea out the way I want it the first pass!)