Deadceptor
Member
I've got pretty old but decent 5.1 speakers (with a great subwoofer and amp) that I use for watching tv shows and movies. For gaming I have the Sennheiser 598HD headphones with an AntLion modmic connected to an Astro MixAmp.
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Headphones or Speakers
- Thread starter Acrylic7
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Cheeseman Battitude
Member
Bose Companion 2 series II PC speakers. They sound nice.
FunkyDealer
Banned
Speakers all day, ev'ry day!
I don't like wearing headsets for prolonged periods.
I don't like wearing headsets for prolonged periods.
Black Mantis
Member
Speakers during the day, headphones at night.
supernormal
Member
I've worked with studio monitors for many years (NS10s, Mackies, M-Audio Bx8, Behringer Truths, etc) and while I trust them give me an appropriate response I still put on headphones for critical listening. I can pass various audio comparison test any day on headphones, even cheap 20 dollar ones. On speakers it's a little more complicated as the acoustics of the listening space play a big role in the final sound you will hear.
If I could do a really nice surround setup, I'd probably prefer it over headphones just because, even with open headphones, there is simply more spatial presence to the sound with normal speakers. That, and headphones can get a bit uncomfortable during longer gaming sessions.
But I cant really do this. Even I could justify spending the money on a great setup, I wouldn't ever be able to turn it up loud enough to get the saturation I want. Got neighbors right on the other side of my wall.
I'm not unhappy with my headphones, though. Got a set of over ear Superlux 668B semi-open headphones run through a Xonar DGX soundcard, and I'm quite happy. This setup was super affordable(£60 altogether) and gets me excellent sound quality. Nearly impossible to beat that in terms of bang for buck.
But I cant really do this. Even I could justify spending the money on a great setup, I wouldn't ever be able to turn it up loud enough to get the saturation I want. Got neighbors right on the other side of my wall.
I'm not unhappy with my headphones, though. Got a set of over ear Superlux 668B semi-open headphones run through a Xonar DGX soundcard, and I'm quite happy. This setup was super affordable(£60 altogether) and gets me excellent sound quality. Nearly impossible to beat that in terms of bang for buck.
Phat Michael
Banned
Speakers and it is no comparison. Drivers in headphones just cant shift as much air as the drivers in a speaker. For gaming, directionality is also very important and i like having a dedicated subwoofer.
I live alone so making a lot of noise is not a concern.
I have some very top of the line headphones which i use for music, but for gaming/movies it is a dedicated 5.1 system and AVR all the way.
Headphones collection here:
Currently i have:
Headphones:
- Audeze EL-8 Closed back
- Audeze LCD3Fw Norne Draug 2
- Sennheiser HD 800s w Norne Draug 2
- Oppo PM3
- Audiotechnica ATH-A900
- FAD Heaven C IEMs
Amps
- CEntrance Dacmini
- Oppo HA-1
- Oppo HA-2
Vs Surround Sound
AV Setup - PC with Dual Monitor Setup, Samsung PN64E8000 64" Plasma, Pioneer 9.2 Channel Receiver, Pioneer Elite BD player, KEF 200C Centre, JBL E100 fronts, Definitive Technologies Supercube I 1500w Subwoofer, Infinity Modulus Rears.
I live alone so making a lot of noise is not a concern.
I have some very top of the line headphones which i use for music, but for gaming/movies it is a dedicated 5.1 system and AVR all the way.
Headphones collection here:
Currently i have:
Headphones:
- Audeze EL-8 Closed back
- Audeze LCD3Fw Norne Draug 2
- Sennheiser HD 800s w Norne Draug 2
- Oppo PM3
- Audiotechnica ATH-A900
- FAD Heaven C IEMs
Amps
- CEntrance Dacmini
- Oppo HA-1
- Oppo HA-2
Vs Surround Sound
AV Setup - PC with Dual Monitor Setup, Samsung PN64E8000 64" Plasma, Pioneer 9.2 Channel Receiver, Pioneer Elite BD player, KEF 200C Centre, JBL E100 fronts, Definitive Technologies Supercube I 1500w Subwoofer, Infinity Modulus Rears.
AgentLampshade
Member
Headphones hurt my stupidly big ears after a while, so speakers all the way.
gaming? headphones. Movies? speakers.
Headphone might limit your movements but that doesn't matter during gaming, while I watch a movie I'm more likely to move. In either scenario with a decent pair of headphone you get all the sound there is, but without a proper room, chances are you lose quite a bit with a speaker set up. Then there is the issue of you can't make it as loud as you want because of others...
If you have the room though, obviously big speakers provide better sound.
Headphone might limit your movements but that doesn't matter during gaming, while I watch a movie I'm more likely to move. In either scenario with a decent pair of headphone you get all the sound there is, but without a proper room, chances are you lose quite a bit with a speaker set up. Then there is the issue of you can't make it as loud as you want because of others...
If you have the room though, obviously big speakers provide better sound.
TacosNSalsa
Member
I prefer headphones but can only use them for a certain amount of time . I have glasses so they start to dig the arms of my frames into my head after a while and it hurts. Also if it's really warm or I'm drinking they make my ears sweat so I use the speakers..
I use this pair of open can headphones with a vmoda boom mic (on pc) and have a crazy chain of adapters and splitters to convert them to a USB headset for the PS4.
For some reason when I tried plugging directly into the PS4 controller my audio would cut out so I had to convert it to wired and now its awesome.
AppleSeason
Member
When gaming on the living room Home I use a 5.1 system (Yamaha RX-V465, I believe) or headphones if I plan to game at night.
On the desktop, always headphones. The speakers I have there are terrible (Even if 14 years ago they were quite decent).
On the desktop, always headphones. The speakers I have there are terrible (Even if 14 years ago they were quite decent).
Speakers for long playing sessions, headphones for anything less than 90 mins, or if I'm playing the final few minutes of the game.
Both options are good for me quality wise though; so it is more about the comfort.
Speakers: Cambridge audio powered by NAD 3020 DAC.
Headphones: HD 650 powered by Graham slee headphone amp, and through a JVC SU DH 1
Edit: holy shot @ phat Michael's setup
Both options are good for me quality wise though; so it is more about the comfort.
Speakers: Cambridge audio powered by NAD 3020 DAC.
Headphones: HD 650 powered by Graham slee headphone amp, and through a JVC SU DH 1
Edit: holy shot @ phat Michael's setup
But true OG TVs had non shit speakers.
I'd say speakers in general. Headphones when I don't have good speakers close by. So it's a question of quality for me.
The Sony MDR-MA 900 have a great soundstage and are extremely lightweight. No closed in feeling, just sound. Drive mine with an ODAC+O2 combo.
Alcoholikaust
Member
sony mdr-hw700ds user here. probably best purchase for anyone serious about audio and using headphones (LPCM 2.0-9.1 headset)
hearing the 7.1 sound mixes of Alien Isolation, TLOU, Metro Last Light, BF4 and others loudly with precise positional audio is something I don't think I can get again with a home theater and infant in the same home
hearing the 7.1 sound mixes of Alien Isolation, TLOU, Metro Last Light, BF4 and others loudly with precise positional audio is something I don't think I can get again with a home theater and infant in the same home
Auto-Reply
Member
For more than 5 years I use headphones exclusively when playing games (I also watch movies whit headphones when watching alone).
Everytime I hear the shoddy tv speaker at a friends place I think something is broken, half of the sounds don't come through.
I can understand not using headphones when not being alone having to watch over your kids of course.
Everytime I hear the shoddy tv speaker at a friends place I think something is broken, half of the sounds don't come through.
I can understand not using headphones when not being alone having to watch over your kids of course.
Kudo
Member
Good speaker set costs more than good headphones at least to my knowledge, so I prefer headphones but I really like speakers too, if I had the money to buy and build place for really high quality home theather I would definitely go for it.
Currently own Beyerdynamic DT770/600ohm version with custom leather pads for my computer and dedicated soundcard with amp to run it. It sounds great to my ears.
For consoles I use Audio Technica ATH-M50x, being able to change the cable is really convenient if I wanted to plug it to something else or take them with me I don't have to plug it out of my monitor just pull the plug from headphones and get another cable.
Currently own Beyerdynamic DT770/600ohm version with custom leather pads for my computer and dedicated soundcard with amp to run it. It sounds great to my ears.
For consoles I use Audio Technica ATH-M50x, being able to change the cable is really convenient if I wanted to plug it to something else or take them with me I don't have to plug it out of my monitor just pull the plug from headphones and get another cable.
Phat Michael
Banned
Can you post some pics? What do you think of the Graham Slee?
The problem is that most of those studio monitors you've listed are either not particularly good (anything Behringer, M-Audio) or are tuned in such a way that they're awful for just about everything other than a very specific use (NS10).
The NS10 is basically a failed Hi-Fi speaker that turned into a useful mid-range checking tool. Bad low end, bad enough highs that people used to put toilet paper infront of the tweeters. But it has an emphasized mid-range and had pretty good phase coherency thanks to its sealed enclosure so that's why studios used them. I haven't heard too many people who rely on them anymore, even if they own them, because there's cheaper stuff that does the job better now.
Good studio monitors like the newest JBL LSR305s, Neumann KH120s, etc are very easy to use for critical listening. Since you've mentioned room modes here, their main influence I've found is in the bass region. The solution to most of those problems is not to get huge speakers that dig really deep, don't bother with a subwoofer, and don't position rear bass reflex speakers against walls and corners. If you can get the right sized speakers and position them correctly, you can probably get more out of those speakers than most headphones in my opinion. Most headphones are pretty technically inept, achieve their clarity by boosting their treble, and are pretty muddy in the midbass - lower bass region anyway unless you're willing to fork $1,500 for Audeze stuff.
To answer the OP: speakers are obviously the way to go if you don't have restrictions like neighbours or sleeping children. You just don't get the same physical experience if you use headphones. I'm not just talking about impact, I'm also taking about soundstage, localisation, and all that good stuff. Proper loudspeaker setup is not as difficult (or expensive) as many people make it out to be, there are a few resources out there, like GIK Acoustics' tutorial and query service, that will tell you exactly what you need to do to your room to get the optimal acoustics.
SliceSabre
Banned
Speakers. I'e never liked using headphones to listen to things I'm doing on the computer.
iRAWRasaurus
Banned
I am using cheap $15 speakers for my PC and the default speakers on my TV. Come at me bro!
I do have a V-MODA Crossfade LP headphone and the Sony Gold Headset
Sure - here you go. The Graham Slee Novo does it's job I guess - no complaints! despite some reviews out there stating that it cannot fully drive the HD 650.
I prefer speakers, as going loud they give a kind of warmth and depth you cant get with headphones. But I use headphones when I cant go loud like during the night etc.
I use Sony MDR-7506 headphones (these need a bit of bass boost in order to get a really flat response and I tend to roll down the really highs as well so it isnt as harsh)
For speakers I have a Sony music station? HiFi station? connected with my computer(2 bookshelf speakers and a control unit that plays CD, tape etc)
And a pair of old Sony floorspeakers connected to an amp in the living room where I play PS3.
I also sometimes use the tv speakers when I take my PS3 to my room and it is ok but i really prefer playing with better speakers/headphones.
I use Sony MDR-7506 headphones (these need a bit of bass boost in order to get a really flat response and I tend to roll down the really highs as well so it isnt as harsh)
For speakers I have a Sony music station? HiFi station? connected with my computer(2 bookshelf speakers and a control unit that plays CD, tape etc)
And a pair of old Sony floorspeakers connected to an amp in the living room where I play PS3.
I also sometimes use the tv speakers when I take my PS3 to my room and it is ok but i really prefer playing with better speakers/headphones.
Troy D Chinula
Member
I prefer my headphones (sennheiser HD 700 and 558s) with a Fostex dac/amp.
Unless your room is acoustically treated you will never get the fidelity out of a several thousand dollar system that you would get from truly hifi cans.
With speakers you need to eliminated primary reflection points for your listening position, worry about comb filtering and cancelation, bass trapping without making the room sound too dead or bright etc. Junk that.
Unless your room is acoustically treated you will never get the fidelity out of a several thousand dollar system that you would get from truly hifi cans.
With speakers you need to eliminated primary reflection points for your listening position, worry about comb filtering and cancelation, bass trapping without making the room sound too dead or bright etc. Junk that.
Summer Haze
Banned
No pair of headphones, no matter how expensive, can beat a good surround sound system. Play BF4 on a 7.1 set up with the audio set to 'War Tapes' and it will blow you the fuck away.
I use headphones at night, though.
I use headphones at night, though.
Phat Michael
Banned
Oh nice it's much smaller than I thought, about the size of the centrance dac mini!Sure - here you go. The Graham Slee Novo does it's job I guess - no complaints! despite some reviews out there stating that it cannot fully drive the HD 650.
I've got a FiiO E17 and it's great.
SinSilla
Member
What an odd way of describing a system, the speakers in use would be more interesting than the receiver Brand no?
Stevey
Member
lol yeah I guess.
Mission M70i floorstander fronts, Mission M70 centre, Wharfdale Diamond SW150 Sub, Wharfdale WH2 surrounds
Theyre old, but fine for now.
SinSilla
Member
Nice setup, i had the WH2 for a while as well. They are surprisingly good for the price!
ihavenoideawhatimdoing.jpg
So I figure I'll ask here. I decided to finally get rid of the bullshit speakers I use with my PC and use the decent pair of headphones that I've had since forever. However, when I plugged them directly into the PC the audio was a little low. I can hear everything just fine, but all the volume sliders are already at max, I can't go higher. I'd like to go higher, so I figured I needed an amp. After about 60 seconds of google research I bought this:
http://www.fiio.net/en/products/15
Not realizing it was a portable amp. Now I see that they also make a dedicated desktop amp. Have I goofed? Will this little thing do the job? I don't need anything more than louder volume.
So I figure I'll ask here. I decided to finally get rid of the bullshit speakers I use with my PC and use the decent pair of headphones that I've had since forever. However, when I plugged them directly into the PC the audio was a little low. I can hear everything just fine, but all the volume sliders are already at max, I can't go higher. I'd like to go higher, so I figured I needed an amp. After about 60 seconds of google research I bought this:
http://www.fiio.net/en/products/15
Not realizing it was a portable amp. Now I see that they also make a dedicated desktop amp. Have I goofed? Will this little thing do the job? I don't need anything more than louder volume.
This will do plenty fine. Had the older portable E11, sound was pretty good if not fully trasnparent. You will likely be satisfied.
Phew, glad to hear it. The very little research I did do led me to audio websites where the E11 got a lot of praise that's why I jumped on it.