Speakers vs. headphones

A very economical headphone setup can sound very good but if you think it sounds really really good, it's time to upgrade your stereo rig.

I’m with you. I do love the soundstage and feeling, like Alison Krauss is singing standing right in front of me, via speakers (Vandersteen 2CE Signature III). I have a decent mid-priced system that I am improving, but when the wife is at home I cannot listen as loudly as I like to at times (my listening room is next to the living room). My DAC/preamp has a good headphones stage, and I discovered when I got it a few years ago that I really enjoy phones (no room effect). It’s a different experience as you say, more intimate in ways. For $2-3k you can get reference phones that are probably the equivalent of $15-30,000 speakers.

I am thinking of a new preamp with a phones stage (Linear Tube Audio) which is equally good with speakers or phones. Sometimes I will play a track through the speakers and then through phones, and enjoy comparing the differences. There are some really good headphone amps out there that would be fun to explore too.

For mobile use, I used an AQ Dragonfly Cobalt with Sennheiser 600s, streaming it from the cell phone or tablet. that is good too.

Like I said, once you make them your own.

The best setup has two unique systems, both with remote control from the seat position.

Yes a great headphone system is very enjoyable. Overall you can achieve a similar level of detail and overall sound quality for 1/10th the cost (see my two systems, click on my ID). However, ultimately a room system can do stuff that headphones cannot. I had brought my headphone system home from the office and started upgrading it until it reached a really amazing level of performance. Then I went back to my main system and just had to ask, “why does’ t my main system sound that good (tonally and musically?” Then additional upgrades to my main system.

Ok, so $100K later I have two amazing systems. I am luckily can play either without disturbing anyone. Overall, I am happy with the outcome. But watch out, if you are an audiophile… well a headphone system can be truly astonishing… think upgrading all components… and I’d you beat your main system the disease could spread there.

I’m retired, both systems bring real joy to me. But watch out… it may cost you. A great headphone system is really amazing!

Who knew?

Quite a few of us knew. A good headphone amp and high end headphones can give surprising performance and is like getting a second system. I use mine about half the time compared to running loudspeakers.