I would appreciate feedback specifically on my system. I don't want this thread to go off track. Macintosh MAC6700 using the integrated pre headphone amp with the Prima headphones. To me the headphones sounded thin. Is this a symptom or a general expectation?
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?
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telemarcer Good headphones are great, but they can never give the reach out and touch them, pinpoint placement and depth, that can be heard and more importantly seen by the eyes that good imaging speakers can give. Headphones are all a bit of a jumbled mess in your head between your ears. Cheers George |
I agree with George's jumbled mess comment. That's exactly how it feels. Speakers turned up feel great. Even at a loud volume its calming. Headphones turned up are detailed and take away the background noise but don't have the same feel. If there are other brands of headphones I should look at I would appreciate a recommendation. At the same time I also wonder if this is an area in general that the speaker/audio industry is missing from a consumer perspective. I bet most people who can afford decent systems are unable to listen to them as much as they would like. |
They are totally different experiences and I always prefer speakers but nothing wrong with a really good set of phones. I've been separated about six months, right before I left I bought pair of Grado RS2e and a Rupert Neve headphone amp and it was one of the best purchases ever. My equipment was in storage since July and I've spent many hours listening to those phones, and they really sound great... Some people hate headphones but I don't, they are quite different than speakers but at night they can't be beat. I finally have my system set back up but still enjoy the Grados often. And as far as one being better than the other, I've heard many average systems that don't come close to the Grado / Neve combo. Headphones as a whole are better than they've ever been. |
I recently upgraded my Grados from the SR80e to a pair of SR325e (aluminum) masterpieces. Man, these cans kill it, so to speak...I don't generally use these in my main rig, although these are so good I bought a second Schiit Magni 3 for that, but generally use the Grados for bedtime reading music with my other Magni. I agree that this question an apples/oranges thing, and my main hifi rig sounds alive in a way that gets most of my "active listening" attention, but great phones...well, they're great! |
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