Headphones vs loudspeakers

My take on this issue is there are a number of answers, actually a combination of factors involved. It's been no secret that quality headphones can easily outstrip the majority of systems. At least the ones that haven't reached the level of sophistication required to be on equal footing or beyond quality phones.
For years, other than the obvious reasons for headphone use, I used my Sennheiser HD600's as a reference to compare my sound system against. After four or five years of diligent upgrades, my speaker system has finally reached parity, and beyond, my headhphones. I wasn't sure it would ever happen but it finally has.
System synergy, with the combination of electronics, cabling, loudspeakers that match the above, and perhaps most importantly, how they interact with your room, effects whether your audio system can outdo good 'phones.
So many variables that a sound system has to overcome, that are, for the most part, not an issue with 'phones.
It takes time, but with a good measuring stick, you will eventually get where you want to be. Enjoy the challenge.
Best regards,
Dan

I agree completely with Newbee. The phones are jaw dropping stupendous, however, they are not real sound in real space. As my room gets better and better, I listen to my earphones less. Although the sound of good earphones are incredibly good, they also are just not real. I always recommend them - especially to those with small budgets for this crazy hobby, or small rooms. I certainly would rather listen to earphones then poor speakers, or improperly set up speakers, or a room that has slap echo, boomy bass, etc.

Headphone systems, just like conventional systems also have many level of sound quality and price.

Although it's true that a smartly put together headphone system can sound very respectable with a minuscule investment compared to a conventional system.

In my experience, my headphone system is a highly modified Headroom Max with AKG-701s, when state of the art headphone performance is maxed out, a very high level conventional system can and will continue many steps beyond in realism and overall performance.

There are also a number of things a conventional system can do that is simply not possible for headphones to achieve.

Examples would be realistic visceral bass ie moving lots of air, and the interaction of the music with the outside environment, walls carpet etc. The same interactions live music goes through.

As good as headphones can sound, they're still far less representative of real music than very good conventional systems.

I agree with you head phones don't have realistic (visceral) bass and the soundstage is very artificial, but they give tons of details and they have better tonal balance than most audio set ups with speakers. The strange thing is: even with mid-fi gear the high resolution still remains and the sound doesn't lose it's smoothness.

Chris

Something not being mentioned here is "efficiency". Headphones are going to be much easier to driver than typical passive speaker systems, through passive crossover networks and such. Also, yes, woofers driving a larger space are not as efficient overall - unless you get more woofers in volved, and likely active woofers at that.
Then, of course, yes, acoustics of the room come into play, associated equipment choices, set up, etc.
You should always consider variables when considering any medium, factor, issue, etc.