2 channel vs headphones


Just curious how many of you have both a high end system but also listen to high end headphone systems as well? 

maprik

Yes, separates speaker system (see virtual system), open cans with dedicate HP amp (Dan Clark Ether 2 with Woo WA6SE with upgraded tubes), and IEMs with dongle DAC for on the road (Westone Mach80 with Dragonfly cobalt). 

I mainly use headphones when I'm moving around, either in the house or outside.  I miss the depth effects that 2-speaker systems provide, even though my headphones/earbuds can hint at those effects.

I also use earbuds when I'm recording, mixing and mastering my own original music.  I do a check with my main speakers before final mastering, mostly to make sure the instruments are panned the way I want them--speakers give a different perspective on that than headphones.

Its a very different listening experience. I still own my RAAL SR1a headphones and also own some electrostatic headphones but rarely use them anymore. I prefer listening to my 2 channel home system. I use my headphones when I'm sitting at my desk and discovering new music I want to add to Tidal.

Yuppers. I have a very nice 2-channel system in my living room with Marten Parker Duo speakers, and a very nice headphone system as well with Susvaras. Sometimes I'll listen with headphones, sometimes with speakers, just whatever I feel like; they're both fed by the same preamp; I'll often go a few months with one, then a few months with the other, etc. 

Most definitely. I spent several years building a satisfying HP system when I didn't have the option of setting up an optimized 2-channel system. 2 1/2 yrs ago we moved into a new house and I finally had a room I could dedicate to a system. I have Focal Sopra 1's supported by 2 Rythmik G22 subs and I can get really good sound out of that, but I can get damn near perfect sound (to my ears anyway) with my HP system, to the point that I just can't give it up. I fully agree with those that say HP listening is different than 2-channel, and there are some benefits to the latter that you just don't get with HP's, but every time I think I'll concentrate on 2-channel I'll listen to the HP's again with their near-perfect sound, immersion, and lack of room effects and I go to a very happy place. 

If you're curious, my HP setup is currently A Holo May KTE DAC --- Holo Bliss KTE full class-A HP amp --- Hifiman Susvara HP's. Sources are the same as the 2-channel system, mainly a HiFiRose RS130. I really can't imagine changing any of this, but better men than me have said those very words, so who knows.