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Will decent speakers always out do headphones?

I was just curious for some feedback. I have decent bookshelf speakers (Sonus Faber) and a quality power supply (MAC6700) but also have two teenagers who play drums and guitar. Since I don't have a sound proof/dedicated listening room I decided to invest in a  pair of headphones which I hoped would allow to listen to my music in the evenings while they practice. The headphones accomplish the goal of giving me a break from the endless Black Sabbath/Led Zeppelin riffs (not that its a bad thing... but its a small house...) however its a night and day difference when I sit down in my sweet spot and listen to the same music through the speakers. So much more open and "full". Is this to be expected?
telemarcer
erik_squires
16,058 posts
 
Tele, again, please give us more details. Heaphones, headphone amp, and what speakers?

I also want you to think again, are you feeling the sound through your body, or is it a sound stage issue?

This will help you I think:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossfeed

roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,986 posts
 
No objective answer for that. I don't like listening through headphones, no matter how good they are.
telemarcer OP
112 posts
 
I'm really going to take the whole music through the skin thing to heart. Makes me think of Bull Durham (breathe through the eyelids) but seriously. I never really thought of that but its real. I play concert and jazz trumpet and now that you guys talk about it. Its not skin pre se. Its top to bottom. You feel string bass and drum a little lower in your body than sax and cymbals. Middle tones are right in your chest.... Very interesting concept. Now are there headphones that can do it?
telemarcer OP
112 posts
 
Sorry if that post came across wrong regarding the skin thing. I totally agree. Listening to the Beatles white album for the first time in ages. I see it and still think there must be a way to make good headphones replicate the full sound.
n80
2,116 posts
 
To me there is just something missing in the headphone experience. Granted, I've never listened to really good headphones and I've never listened to open headphones. Even so, I'm usually impressed with the SQ of headphones, but to be honest, I don't like having something on my head and ears. I don't like the way it feels. When I'm doing serious listening via my speakers I like to be totally comfortable and unencumbered.
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