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Author Topic: Headphones as good as $40K speaker systems for a fraction of? BULLSHIT!  (Read 15657 times)

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omegakitty

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Re: Headphones as good as $40K speaker systems for a fraction of? BULLSHIT!
« Reply #40 on: March 06, 2013, 04:20:37 PM »

Marv let us know when the bug hits to upgrade to Lowther field coils  :&
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omegakitty

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Re: Headphones as good as $40K speaker systems for a fraction of? BULLSHIT!
« Reply #41 on: March 06, 2013, 04:28:30 PM »

With the ever-escalating prices of TOTL's, headphones are definitely much less of a value proposition than they once were.


However, there are some things great headphones do that I've found even great speakers have a hard time with (speed of Stax, low level detail of the HD800 as examples you pointed out) and there is so much less that goes into setting up a listening session with headphones. You put them on your head and that's it.  I daresay headphone listeners spend more time actually listening to music than speaker users.  Its just inconvenient most of the time.


Just spent the last couple hours listening to speakers though, and it was very experiential and enveloping.  Headphones can have a hard time with that as its pumping the music straight into your ears.

If I may offer another view point, I would question the number of headphone users actually listening to music. Headphones are so convenient that people (I used to be guilty of this) put them on and do other things, most commonly surf the web.

Sometimes it's worth it for music to be difficult to listen to. Like it's taking the time preping/cooking a good meal opposed to the Papa John's drive through.
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LFF

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Re: Headphones as good as $40K speaker systems for a fraction of? BULLSHIT!
« Reply #42 on: March 06, 2013, 04:40:17 PM »

I heard Purrin's system last night.

I must admit, it's not the most accurate or neutral system but DAMN...it's a fun sounding rig. MY idea of proper coloring on a system. I want to build these speakers too.  :)
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Marvey

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Re: Headphones as good as $40K speaker systems for a fraction of? BULLSHIT!
« Reply #43 on: March 06, 2013, 04:43:51 PM »

I'm also of the opinion it is stupid to claim either one is better than the other...

...you can't just ignore the fact it takes a whole lot of effort to optimize a speaker rig in a way it can sound as faithful as a good headphone rig does.


Sorry that part of the thread has degenerated into this argument of headphones vs. speakers.

I think some people took my post a little bit too personally. Although my first post was provocative, the intent was for really for people to open their eyes and at least try something else other than headphones (Dammit, haven't you guys figured out my writing style by now! Geez!) A lot of the younger generation have not been exposed to speakers - good speakers - and DIY at that, which has an immense value proposition and allows one to pursue a design tailored to someone's priorities.

I could really give a rat's ass how many high cost speakers there are at Tokyo. LFF, analmort, ultrabike + others, and I get to hear a lot of high cost speakers here at the various shows at least once a year. Out of several dozens, maybe two or three we would consider high-end (and each of those had drivers I could identify, and thus build myself). The biggest, most expensive speaker I've heard, a Focal monstrosity, loved by TAS, and placed in a HUGE room, was incredibly mediocre.

I call BS on the argument that speakers require "a whole lot of effort to optimize." That's a fucking cop-out for lazy people people - and this site was never meant for lazy people. I see Head-Fi'ers (this includes myself) having spent a lot more energy dealing the with angst associated with dwelling on headphone selection, component synergies, tubes, cables, etc. - that is how to spend their next $3300 or whatever. All this neurotic energy and money could go into something much more worthwhile... learning about sound and how its reproduced.

I do agree that if and only if your priorities are articulation and layering, there's really no need to pursue speakers as a value proposition when you have STAX earphones. Then again, a pair of Quads isn't that much more than an SR009.
« Last Edit: March 06, 2013, 05:37:17 PM by purrin »
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Tari

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Re: Headphones as good as $40K speaker systems for a fraction of? BULLSHIT!
« Reply #44 on: March 06, 2013, 04:44:40 PM »

With the ever-escalating prices of TOTL's, headphones are definitely much less of a value proposition than they once were.


However, there are some things great headphones do that I've found even great speakers have a hard time with (speed of Stax, low level detail of the HD800 as examples you pointed out) and there is so much less that goes into setting up a listening session with headphones. You put them on your head and that's it.  I daresay headphone listeners spend more time actually listening to music than speaker users.  Its just inconvenient most of the time.


Just spent the last couple hours listening to speakers though, and it was very experiential and enveloping.  Headphones can have a hard time with that as its pumping the music straight into your ears.

If I may offer another view point, I would question the number of headphone users actually listening to music. Headphones are so convenient that people (I used to be guilty of this) put them on and do other things, most commonly surf the web.

Sometimes it's worth it for music to be difficult to listen to. Like it's taking the time preping/cooking a good meal opposed to the Papa John's drive through.


I think all headphone users to listen to music at some point during their headphone listening, its a question of how much of their music time is spent multi-tasking and how much they're focused on music at that point.  Even if you were to excise multi-tasking time as not counting (something that may or may not be fair, as some people listen to music while multi-tasking as background noise/energy, some really do listen even if their central focus is on something else) there is still a lot of dedicated time headphone listeners listen when speaker listeners would not.  Nighttime in apartments or with kids, when the house is crazy with activity (unless you have a dedicated listening room), if the chore of setting up in the listening room is almost enough to discourage you from taking the trouble because you just want to listen to a song or two, in transit if using public transit... I don't have any statistics on trends but I could definitely say for myself that I end up doing more real listening with my JH13's and HP-1's than I ever will with my speaker rig (at least before retirement).


If this is too OT someone can feel free to split this to a different thread.
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Marvey

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Re: Headphones as good as $40K speaker systems for a fraction of? BULLSHIT!
« Reply #45 on: March 06, 2013, 04:48:03 PM »

I heard Purrin's system last night.
I must admit, it's not the most accurate or neutral system but DAMN...it's a fun sounding rig. MY idea of proper coloring on a system. I want to build these speakers too.  :)

Yeah, just wait until I measure it and apply digital PEQ.
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raif

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Re: Headphones as good as $40K speaker systems for a fraction of? BULLSHIT!
« Reply #46 on: March 06, 2013, 05:08:40 PM »

I would have to say that I have applied just as much neurosis to setting up my listening room as I have over my entire headphone career.  Now granted, I am also soundproofing the space for drums(practice and hopefully some recording)

I think the key is just focus.  You can spend your time DIY'ing or or you can spend it obsessing on what other people think is "the best."  One is more work, but more rewarding.  I suppose it is comparable to the difference between eating healthy, exercising, and getting enough rest vs relying on drugs, alcohol and partying to de-stress.

I agree with the original premise.  Headphones are no longer the cheaper, easier route to great sound.  It's debatable, but I would argue that once upon a time that was more true than it is today.
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shipsupt

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Re: Headphones as good as $40K speaker systems for a fraction of? BULLSHIT!
« Reply #47 on: March 06, 2013, 05:21:43 PM »

Then again... I was sitting on the couch listening to a new album on the speakers and it paled in comparison to how good it sounded on my headphone rig last night.  It's not as simple as just plugging some speakers in and you're good to go!    :-Z

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Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

Maxvla

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Re: Headphones as good as $40K speaker systems for a fraction of? BULLSHIT!
« Reply #48 on: March 06, 2013, 05:26:01 PM »

Then again... I was sitting on the couch listening to a new album on the speakers and it paled in comparison to how good it sounded on my headphone rig last night.  It's not as simple as just plugging some speakers in and you're good to go!    :-Z
This ^

I've had James Blake's album for a while now and have tried to enjoy it, but just really do not like it. Popped it into my speaker rig last night and actually did enjoy it. Then put in BT's These Hopeful Machines which I love on headphones and it was just meh on my speakers.
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Marvey

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Re: Headphones as good as $40K speaker systems for a fraction of? BULLSHIT!
« Reply #49 on: March 06, 2013, 05:31:49 PM »

Not my fault you have a shitty speaker rig. Just stick with headphones and continue to upgrade DACs and amps. You will be better off.
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