Headphones vs full range speakers

Headphones with their vastly superior transient response are more lifelike, but I prefer speakers.

This was my experience BEFORE acoustical control of my room which did for my speakers transient response an improvement so great i cease to use headphone...By modifying the pressures zone distribution in my room, the transient response of my speakers increased to almost the level of my headphone...Then with the other improvement related to speakers use like a better bass response, and a better listener envelopment factor, because the sound is AROUND THE head not in the head, speakers reign over my headphones now...

My speakers sound EXACTLY like headphone sound but around my head NOT IN MY HEAD....

I had a fairly high end Stax rig before building my speaker system. The speakers image and soundstage in a way that is physically impossible for headphones to accomplish. You go from sound in between your ears to performers seemingly in the room with you. Given the resolving prowess of electrostatic headphones, this was an area I assumed the headphones would hold advantage. Suprised to say there wasn’t much in it, with the headphones perhaps displaying a bit more detail in the lowest levels. I achieve higher engagement from the speakers, as well. Presence, weight, and tactility can not be matched by headphones.

In my opinion the remaining advantages of headphones are isolation and nulling the room effect. The price argument is indeterminate. Flagship headphones are over $4000, with some headphone and amp pairings costing over $30,000. Achieving high end sound from a headphone system requires the same care and attention to detail as a speaker system, sans room treatment.

Great post! thanks...

I concur with your experience...

My best to you...

russ69 has it 100%        :-)     I totally concur.

Question is who has gone from listening to speakers for your main listening pleasure to headphones or vice versa.

Having both a good home and HeadFi rig, I agree with others that they’re really two different animals each with their own strengths and limitations.  However, if I was to go headphones only, the only headphones I’d consider would be the Raal SR1a that are actually more like ear speakers than headphones.  They require a special amp/interface and will run a minimum of about $3500 with everything, but that’s still cheap relative to a decent home system.  Hope this helps.