headphones vs. speakers

[Leonaerd]

When it comes to listening to anything while in front of my computer, I've always been a fan of headphones over stereo. I have a nice pair from Sennheiser's audiophile line. I get a better sense of intricate quality, and I feel more surrounded by that which I am listening to when using my headphones.

Well, that was the situation until recently.

I have a nice pair of Altec speakers (I'm not going to claim to be knowledgeable when it comes to the details of audio-related topics) that ran around $90 when I purchased them, only I never use them. I was cleaning my basement recently (same room as my computer), and I wanted to listen to my songs while cleaning, so I plugged the speakers back in and cranked up the volume. Wow. What had I been missing all these years?

The song was Daft Punk - Around the World, a song which I have always enjoyed, but hearing it at two million decibels was the most amazing thing I've ever experienced. Being bombarded by the bass and feeling the throbbing difference between heavy points in the music and empty moments was astonishing.

But enough of my rambling. What do you all think?

[miir]

They both have their merits.


Headphones block out much/most of the ambient noice so you're hearing only the music... but on the flipside, nothing beats the butt-rumbling goodness of a good set of speakers and a nice subwoofer.


A lot of the music I listen to tends to be bass-heavy and even the best headphones can't convey the feeling of bass.

[Voronwë]

most of the time from a computer, headphones are going to sound better.

but its like anything, if you have a great stereo, and you crank that up in a nice room, you are going to be in business.

i have what i think most people agree is a nice stereo, but even though the sound quality in my car is not even in the same zip code, often the 'feel' in my car is just better. you can easily make a car (even with stock equipment) so loud that it is an immersive audio environment, which is what headphones do for you, with the added benefit of being able to feel the volume.

a lot of times when people want to 'rock out' that is going to get their juices flowing more than the sound quality anyway, so it just depends on what you are trying to do.

[Zaelath]

People listen to headphones way too loud most of the time, and for too long... I think they're awesome for classical/high range music, but rubbish for rock; you want it louder than you need it because you know something's missing.

[Winnow]

Even with a good home audio system, it's worth listening to some quality headphones from time to time.

The other day I listened to one of the HBO-Rome episodes recorded in Dolby Digital on my headphones and could hear all sorts of background ambient sounds that I didn't pick up through the speakers. Kinda neat.

[Drinsic Darkwood]

I have a nice pair of Altec speakers (I'm not going to claim to be knowledgeable when it comes to the details of audio-related topics) that ran around $90 when I purchased them, only I never use them. I was cleaning my basement recently (same room as my computer), and I wanted to listen to my songs while cleaning, so I plugged the speakers back in and cranked up the volume. Wow. What had I been missing all these years?

Can't say I know anything much about the various brands and their quality but the first pair of speakers I ever bought that weren't standard with my computer were Altec Lansing and they were great. I've used nothing but Altec since then, and I've never been disappointed.