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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?

 

thomastrouble
mapman's avatar
mapman
23,615 posts
 

I will take several of each please and toss in some modern DSP like a nice convolution filter in Roon for a specific pair of headphones to take things to the highest possible level cost effectively. Thank you!

mahgister's avatar
mahgister
15,052 posts
 

Generally there is an headphone like sound inside the head...

Convolution filters cannot change that...It will improve the frequencies response... but will not change the headphone like sound...

BACCH filters can...

In the mean time i use the only one speaker like headphone ... AKG k340..

😊

I will take several of each please and toss in some modern DSP like a nice convolution filter in Roon for a specific pair of headphones to take things to the highest possible level cost effectively. Thank you!

opathy's avatar
opathy
46 posts
 

I have a pair of Sennheiser HD 650 headphones

and my speakers are a vintage pair of IMF transmission 

line floor standers that I refurbished a few years ago 

that I’ve had since new.  I consider myself to

have good ears.  I can tell very little difference in the sound between the headphones and the speakers as far as I can tell.  I also have a pair of Sony 7506 phones and they are quite a bit brighter.  I’m taking my result as a real positive concerning the sound of my speakers in my room.

What ya think?

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