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Speakers vs. headphones

I’ve spent many, many years building a stereo system that I finally can say I’m satisfied with, but recently had to make a change due to a complaint of “too much noise” in the house.  So, headphones were the answer.  
After just a few days of listening with a middling headphone (HIFIMAN Ananda) and inexpensive DAT (Firefly Cobalt,) I find myself enjoying (and getting into) the music  more.  Of course my system objectively is much better and cost light years more.  However, I find there is a certain intimacy, seemingly being closer to the music, and of course no distracting audible room effects to deal with. 
I’m not giving up speaker listening but what a pleasant surprise.
 

Who knew?

128x128rvpiano
czarivey
5,946 posts
 

Bare in mind that headphone listening should be limited to void possible health hazards. Probably half-hour maximum if headphones are over ear cans and 10..15min with ear buds.

russ69's avatar
russ69
3,543 posts
 

My portable headphone system drove me to change my whole perception of audio. My portable system with Grado phones had bounce and warmth that my hi-fi system didn't have. I could play lessor quality CDs on the headphones, and they sounded great. So I went from extreme accuracy to a system that just sounds best for me. I probably have a tad too much bass underline and too sweet midrange but damn does it sound good on 99% of the stuff I play. It changed the way I approach hi-fi and I'm way happier. 

rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,708 posts
 

I, too, find that things that don’t sound so great on my speakers sound just fine on the headphones.

larsman's avatar
larsman
2,085 posts
 

I have a great 2-channel system, and I have a great headphone system, and I listen to them about 50/50 - variety is the spice! 

big_greg
6,674 posts
 

Some great points about how even lower cost headphones can sound really good.  I bought a pair of wireless bluetooth headphones to wear while mowing the lawn.  They are not "accurate" at all, lots of treble emphasis and the noise cancelling (which really works!) does some weird things, but all the same, I found myself really enjoying the music and hearing things I hadn't noticed before while listening at very moderate volume.

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