uh...headphones?

inspired by the 'speakers' discussion, I wanted to get everyone's feedback (har har) on my listening situation of choice: headphones.

Personally, I prefer headphones over good speakers. I do miss the heart-shaking bass frequencies a little, but it's worth it to me to have such an intimate and controllable experience.

I've heard that stereo reproduction in headphones is misleading...yet I get a better stereo image with absolutely no concern for placement (I don't have to worry about my relation to the speakers, the speakers' relation to each other, or phenomena like standing waves and reflections).

And it goes without saying that a decent pair of headphones is much cheaper than a decent pair of speakers.

So please tell me what I'm not taking into account!

Plus, if you have any recommendations for high quality headphones, I'm all ears (sorry, couldn't resist).

 Actually most albums are mixed for speakers and  headphones (especially true for Floyd albums but 70's prog in general), so this thing about misleading stereo reproduction is a myth , IMO.

My idea of what is good headphones is very important to me because of three things.

The confort of the cushion and the weight of the headset. If I am to wear them frequently, they must be confortable and have a possibility to replace the cushions , if not then your sweat (we all do ) in the long terms will destroy the fabric and will eventually stink up the pads.

Avoid those cordless infra-red stuff because of parasitic noises.....And the transmitter, same debate as the cell phone stuck in the proximity of the brain area. The sound quality is sh*t (or I have yet to hear a good one). The cord should not be a coil (like a telephone handset cord) as this creates problems in the long term.

I would advise you to avoid japanese headphones (as for speakers) because they color the sound of the music. I play my cds on the CD direct button on because all these frequency analysers are pure BS (every single filter or resistor creates its own noise especially in between the source and the speaker). Generally, for headphones, I will choose something in the line of Sennheiser or AKG. Specialized brandnames into speakers/headphones are naturally the better options but the prices are sometimes ridiculous.

I have derogated only twice to the third rule taking a Sony headphone but have not had to complaint about it. When in my teens  I took some excellent Pioneer phones but they started getting loaded in static after four or five years because of two reasons: the coil-like cord was distorted, and the volume control on the set getting dust inside the potentiometer. So never again a volume control on the phones itself.

Hope this was the kind of advise you were hoping for.....

My first pair of decent phones were Audio Technica Ath-1 about 25 yrs ago (?), I have tried Sennheisers-which are very good. However about 6 or 7 years ago i auditioned a pair of Grado Phones and I love them.Managed to buy a pair of second-hand Grado 325's for £100 and they are the best.

About £250 brand new,but worth every penny!!!!!

BTW the reference headphone they do has won awards all over USA and Europe

Set you back about £400 for the RA1's Cert!

funny you mention Grados, Reed...after careful consideration, I decided to buy a pair! I can't decide between the SR-60s and the SR-80s, though. Apparently the 80s have a slightly better bass response for a few extra bucks...but both come in under $100, so I really can't go wrong.

Certif1ed wrote: Sennheisers make other headphones redundant! Once you've tried a pair, there's no going back - built for comfort AND great sound. I've been told that adding a headphone amp to the chain is the step after graduating to Senns, but I haven't gone that far in my quest for audio nirvana... yet!

TRUE!! I have the HDR 65 series, wireless so I can take a dump while enjoying beautiful music!! BUT just go to a VERY good Hifi store where you can test speakers. Take speakers that are AT LEAST 600 dollar a piece, take a good cd with you (no eartly connection, olias of sunhillow, wish you were here etc.) and FEEL the difference between headphones and good speaker stereo!! Good speakers will beat even the most expensive headphones (yes even headphones that cost more than $2000) but you must invest in speakers if you want a good listen. oh, and NEVER invest in carsound because in a car there is ALWAYS the roadnoise etc. even in a Rolls-Royce!