Why do headphones sound so good...


compared to speakers? Someone posed this question on a guitar forum I participate in. I didn't really know how to answer the question.

I basically stated that good 'phones can be had for a hundred bucks but good speakers cost a few grand. Not including the cost of good electronics (a few thousand more). So, for pretty short money, an iPod and a set of Grado's, for example, you can get pretty damn good sound reproduction vs. a full blown Hifi set up. I believe that a good room filling stereo blows away any set of 'phones. But without cost as a factor.

Thoughts?
hammergjh

Showing 1 response by mitchb

I love my headgear but it doesn't touch my main speaker system. The headphones appearingly more detailed lack the substance given by a decent pair of speaker with decent electronics. One reason headphones may appear asttractive is that you can play them louder than the average speaker system if you live with others. I really like my headgear but I love my main system. I like the effect of the sound of speakers in a room. Headphones lack the body and weight of decent speakers. I have an HR-2 Emmeline amp and Sennheisser HD650 headphones so my headgear does not lack warmth or body but my Hales with my Pass electronics simply have more of a good thing. If your room makes your speakers unlistenable then headphones are the obvious solution but if you can beat the room then nothing beats loudspeakers.