Things I hate about Hifi

[Friesiansam]

2. Headphones.

They're irritating and uncomfortable and can't abide the "in the head" sound.

Headphones are getting better in soundstage terms. Angled drivers, as in my Focals, move the soundstage forward somewhat, although not as much as manufacturers would like you to believe. My Focals also create a much broader soundstage than the Beyerdynamic DT880 Studios I bought in the early 80s, further aided, I think, by my now having a dedicated headphone amp, which is not something I had over 40 years ago. As for comfort, or otherwise, that's very much a personal thing.

 

[Jasonovich]

Headphones are getting better in soundstage terms. Angled drivers, as in my Focals, move the soundstage forward somewhat, although not as much as manufacturers would like you to believe. My Focals also create a much broader soundstage than the Beyerdynamic DT880 Studios I bought in the early 80s, further aided, I think, by my now having a dedicated headphone amp, which is not something I had over 40 years ago. As for comfort, or otherwise, that's very much a personal thing.

You're absolutely right, those Focals are not lacking in soundstage and you don't have to worry about room positioning and you feel more immersed in the music. With speakers they breath better and have greater sense of space, headphones you're pulled onto the stage and you're dancing with the artist. Different realism but both effective in what they do.

I also think, if you're going to invest in decent headphones, forget the generic headphone socket on your integrated amp or your CD player. Well yes, some are very good and don't waste your money if you're happy with it but there's a difference in sound quality when you have a proper dedicated headphone amp.

My two headamps, one is tube class A and the other is solid state class A (the latter switches to A/B on high peaks), both sound amazing.

 

[Kenneth Fernandes]

Headphones being used to listen to music rather than for phone calls and conferencing.

 

[Dave_]

Headphones are getting better in soundstage terms. Angled drivers, as in my Focals, move the soundstage forward somewhat, although not as much as manufacturers would like you to believe. My Focals also create a much broader soundstage than the Beyerdynamic DT880 Studios I bought in the early 80s, further aided, I think, by my now having a dedicated headphone amp, which is not something I had over 40 years ago. As for comfort, or otherwise, that's very much a personal thing.

You'll never convince me that soundstage is anything other than utter ****, and even if it was there's no getting away from the irritation and discomfort!

If headphones were my only option I'd give up on music.

 

[manicm]

I don't get the hate for headphones. I use them when I'm out for vacations or at hotels. And Dave_, you obviously haven't heard a good pair with a good source, going by your comments about soundstage.

It's a known fact that the early iPods used top-tier DAC chips, and those things really did sound superb on a good pair - I ripped my The Who's Tommy CD and I was astonished. I had about 4 early iPods.

I don't use in-ears anymore, and at home I hardly use headphones, maybe a few times a month in bed at night. But for holidays or at hotels when I want to listen to music then it's essential for me.