Listening through Speakers or Headphones?

I don't like headphones, I like to play music out in the open space instead of directed inwards to the brain, it's much more living that way, it's manifested for real, while headphones seems like listening in hiding as if it was forbidden to be played openly. Great music deserves to be played loud out in the open space.

But I agree that details may be experienced with headphones that wasn't as clear when listening with hifi system. I realized this when listening with headphones to a specific organ piece , where I heard rhythmic stuff in the bass register that came out more pronounced with the headphones:
http:///www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xc7TnMlyaA&t=0m28s
Gunnar Idenstam / Cathedral Music / Toccata I





Edited by wilmon91 - March 12 2013 at 16:03

Depends on the speakers and headphones/earbuds. The weird cone-shaped JBL speakers I have deliver a relatively flat sound compared to the Gumy earbuds I have (the ones with the rubber tips that go deeper into your ears); those earbuds can really emphasize the bass aspect of the music, and it sounds as if there is a bit of acoustics to it. The earbuds I had previously used to provide better dynamics compared to the speakers. The new Gumy earbuds I have are even better than that. That works out especially when I use a special jack that feeds the sound from my amp to the audio unit when I'm about to play.

To sum up, earbuds are the way to go for me as of now (but it really depends on the unit). Can't remember the sound quality of the headphones I used to have, though.

Edited by Dayvenkirq - March 12 2013 at 17:23

I have a 1983 Technics Stereo Cabinet with 2 tower speakers. It is my pride and joy when it comes to audio equipment, 5 Disc CD Changer, Phonograph, Live EQ With bass booster, A primative Digital LED Tuner, 4 Tape Deck (1 unit), and 2 extra channels, 1 going to my TV for video games and basic television, sometimes I will use my PS3 for music, the other is just a basic headphone connector for My mp3 player, phone, or other compliant device. When I can I use the stereo, otherwise, I use one of my other 3 stereos, If i need to listen in private I use my Senhiser 201s, not the best headphones, but not bad either.

Edited by Astral Traveller - March 12 2013 at 19:17

Sometimes headphones are a necessity, especially late at night with kids sleeping.  Speakers and headphones offer a different experience though, so I like to do both.

Just like with headphones, quality materials and design matters with loudspeakers. In most cases, you get what you pay for. I own a lovely pair of 1986 Klipsch Cornwall 2's that have been upgraded with Bob Crites crossovers, new 15" woofers and Titanium tweeters. Midrange horns and drivers are stock. Also have a very musical Klipsch RSW15 subwoofer. There's alot of music down there that so often gets missed! I have a dedicated listening space with minimal volume restrictions, so i naturaly prefer taking an audio sauna with loudspeakers. Yeah, i'm a bass addict and love to feel the music head to toe. I find headphones a bit fatiguing after awhile. And yeah, i know i'm a bit spoiled too.

Hi,

I do both, it all depends on the setting.   Earbuds are Satan's spawn.  I've got one really good set by Sony.  Every other set I've tried are too tinny.  In this day and age you want to have surround capability, too.

Edited by Slartibartfast - May 04 2013 at 14:55

Just bought a pair of 1993 era Oiled Oak Klipsch Chorus II's! Givin' them the refinish treatment and i'll throw new Ti tweets and cross-overs in next week or two. More killer speakers. Been looking for a pair of these for awhile. Stoked!

Edited by libertycaps - May 28 2013 at 12:34

You can't know what you don't know.  Very few people these days understand how classic prog is supposed to be presented.  Modern prog has been created on digital formats and played back on ipods, smartphones and earbuds.  I agree, this is the cheap watered down version of a proper musical experience. 

Some of the older cats here know the lowdown.  Others have either forgot or simply too lazy to care.  I won't name names, but I could.

Most people have something they own that cost them $2000.  If music is really a priority, you'll find a way to get into a proper system.  Vinyl, tube amp, quality cartridge on a deck with good tonearm... high efficiency horn driven speakers. 
If you do that.. then you'll understand why some of the folks around here keep talking about this.

The other issue that one has to discover and realize, is that in the classic prog era... the great bands actually played this stuff.. where as now.. most is simply manipulated after the fact on these silly digital computer programs like pro tools etc. 

Catcher10 wrote: ... In some ways this is the analog/digital discussion of other threads, about hearing the "real thing", or the vinyl discussions surrounding listening experiences and hearing the "full effect". You could be viewed as slamming a lot of people on this site who listen to mp3's via laptops and portable music players or youtube. To not be a part of this "cheap generation with headsets on their little hand thing!", how should one listen to music? On an expensive stereo system since that would be the opposite of cheap? Interesting post..