Re my headphones - too many to mention, all quality, some cheap but great for my sound preference, “good” bass. My cheap DT770s at $130 gets me 95% of the way of my favorites right now but at over $2000 with a good cable - Fostex TH 900 (for bass). Waiting for a pair of Audeze LCD2 to test out that flavor.
Headphones vs speakers….
So I’ve been patiently waiting to buy the final pieces for a Benchmark HAB2 and DAC3 system. I have the Totem 1 speakers and decided to hook them up to an old Naim Nait 5i (probably not the best pairing) and Cambridge Azur 840C CD player. Over the last few months I’ve been on a quest for great sound through headphones and a headphone amp while I’m waiting and after maybe five sets of headphones I’ve found what I was looking for and I’m very happy.
After hooking up the Totems and Nait today I’m very disappointed. However, my room is far from treated yet - I have installed a large carpet, furnishings and will be hanging thick floor to ceiling curtains on the three walls - one behind the speakers and two side walls. However, wether I’ve been spoiled by the incredible sound of my headphone setup or I’ve been expecting too much from a full system I can’t imagine after room treatment and dialing things in that I’ll be anywhere close to being as impressed as I am with my headphones…..do any of you guys feel this way or am I being too pessimistic?
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Just to add in case anybody chimes in on cans and portable amp - the most important thing for me is a wide soundstage but I sacrifice this by using closed back because of the bass - can I find both? Not sure how much an amp affects this, but I like forward mids (vocals). My other little portable amp which I love is an older Oppo HA2 - I think this sounds warmer than the Ifi Gryphon. I’m curious about the Audeze but these will also be the closed back. |
You may never equal the headphone with the speakers and the room you now have. If volume is in play, and low bass, stick with headphones and everyone will be happier I guess. You see to be leaning that way. And if speakers and headphones are going to cost the same, stick with headphones. I know how fabulous headphones can sound these days but the listening experience is night and day for me and if forced into headphones I could probably adapt. They just don't sound like a good loudspeaker, and that's what I do prefer. You might consider an extreme nearfield experience with your speakers and see how it might sound. Keep experimenting with the Totems. Good luck! |
Listened all night after getting B&W i5 in ear wireless headphones with an Android phone. Being freed from the wire immerses you in a sea of fabulous sound. Sennheiser TW3 if you want more bass at the expense of some transparency compared to the B&W. At these prices embrace the healing power of and. * quantum leap over AirBuds. |
@thomastrouble , it’s taken me half a lifetime to get to a point where my full system approaches the specific things I like best about what even a $500 pair of headphones can do. Yes they are two different experiences. But there are some areas where headphones have advantages, and some areas where headphones simply can’t replicate the experience of a full system. But headphones have this blazingly fast quickness and ease of detail delivery, with drive and energy and great dynamics, that even now my full system can’t quite match - but it’s finally getting awful close. It’s this one quality that I’ve felt was very important for full enjoyment of music as it sounds more alive. Every now and then I’ll listen to a song on my system and then on my $500 pair of headphones (no fancy setup or anything, just Bluetooth to phone), and I’ll take note of the differences. Suggest others chiming in on this thread give that a try if you haven’t lately. You might be surprised!
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