Headphones or speakers?

[Steve]

I find that that speakers produce a more ideal listening environment. Regardless of the advancements made in headphone technology over the past decades, I remain partial to the quality surround sound. That being said, I can't always be at home, listening, so headphones are a must too.

At the present I have two pairs of headphones (well one 'headphone' and another 'earphone/moniter')

I have an AKG 601 set, that has given me great pleasure over the years. The sound reprouduction is simply unparrelled. They are incredibly dynamic and durable. In short, the're an easy reccomendation.

I also own a set of in-ear-moniters from Shure for mobile use.

[beclemund]

Headphones:

etymotic er6 are great for the noisy commute on public transportation...



and Grado SR60 work for home if you replace the stock pads.

[George]

Probably headphones, but only because I can't use speakers at work.  If I had my druthers, I'd always listen through my main speakers.

Me too.

[George]

As an apartment dweller, I end up using headphones probably 75% of the time, especially since some of my listening is late at night.   I prefer the more natural soundstage of speakers, but with good headphones (e.g., Sennheisers, at my house  ) one can't really complain.  I have 4-5 pairs of headphones of various types (e.g., collapsible, noise-reducing, etc.) and I'm getting ready to splurge on a pair of Sennheiser 580s:



--Bruce

I am sooooooo happy with mine. JandR has them pretty cheap. 

[George]

Always speakers as long as my neighbours don't complain.

Then you crank it all the more, right? 

[Steve]

I've been meaning to try a pair of Sennheiser....

It seems as if that brand enjoys particular popularity here..

[Harry]

Well if I use headphones which is rare I use these Stax headphones, the same as BIS records is using while recording the music.

I could not find a suitable picture, from the head phone amp, but there is a link
I have the SRM 006 t II.


http://www.stax.co.jp/Export/SRM006tII.html

[Daverz]

I'd still like to upgrade to AKG 701s, but I'm very happy with my AKG 501s.  I also use Etymotic 4s.  I use a Creek headphone amp or the headphone jack on my Bryston B-60.

[wintersway]

Speakers @ home
Beyerdynamic DT 880 @ work

[George]

I've been meaning to try a pair of Sennheiser....

It seems as if that brand enjoys particular popularity here..

I seem to remember that they are particularly recommmended by HP buffs for those who listen to a lot of classical music.

[Florestan]

As an apartment dweller, I end up using headphones probably 75% of the time, especially since some of my listening is late at night.   

As an apartment dweller, I end up using headphones probably 95% of the time, especially since most of my listening is late at night.   

[Harry]

As an apartment dweller, I end up using headphones probably 95% of the time, especially since most of my listening is late at night.   

Then take good care of your ears my friend.
I could advise you a pair of Stax headphones.
It is proven beyond a doubt that electro magnetic headphones are significantly less harmful for your ears as dynamic ones.

[Florestan]

Then take good care of your ears my friend.

I never listen more than one hour and the volume is set to a middle level.

It is proven beyond a doubt that electro magnetic headphones are significantly less harmful for your ears as dynamic ones.

The difference between them being... ?

[Harry]

I never listen more than one hour and the volume is set to a middle level.

The difference between them being... ?

No sound level pressure Andrei!

[Florestan]

No sound level pressure Andrei!

Sorry, I don't get it. The sound sensation in the ear is caused by air vibrations, that is, by pressure upon the ear's membrane, correct? No pressure, no sound, then.

[Shrunk]

Headphones (Grado SR225's, to be exact) but of necessity rather than choice.  I am in the midst of building a pair of speakers and at the moment have nothing else to listen thru.  Even when the speakers are done, I'll probably still use the cans a fair bit, as a lot of my listening is in the early AM or late evening, when the kids are asleep.

I use this DIY amplifier for the Grado's:

http://tangentsoft.net/audio/cmoy-tutorial/

[bhodges]

More comments on headphone volume: I've been using headphones for over 25 years, with no problems whatsoever, and no hearing problems at all.  However, a quick poll of friends and listening habits recently told me that some (many?) people listen at a much, MUCH higher volume than I do. 

If you imagine the volume control as a clock face, I usually listen at about "9" or "10" -- sometimes "11" if it's Shostakovich  -- but never any louder than that.  One friend said his control is usually turned to "2" or "3", which to me is unimaginable!  But if that is "normal" then I agree, some damage will probably occur.

--Bruce

[Michel]

I am shortly getting my first ipod and have a number of considerations to make. They are as follows:

1. I am stone deaf in one ear, so I need to look after what I have
2. I will be using the tube a lot in London so I need good noise cancellers (especailly as I won't want it too loud with the above fact)
3. I want something that will also be nice for the home

I want to spend absolutely no more than £100, preferably closer to £50.

Suggestions?

There are some "noise cancellers" here:

http://www.iheadphones.co.uk/sennheiser/35/Noise+Cancelling+Headphones.htm

EDIT: I am really worried about potential ear damage - does anyone have any good medical links on this? (or govt regulatory recommendations?)

[Shrunk]

A (literal) rule of thumb I read in an audio magazine re: listening volume.  Hold your hand near your ear and rub your thumb and first two fingers together (ie. in the "It's about the money" gesture).  If you can't hear the rubbing sound, you're listening too loud.  I find this works with open-back headphones as well as speakers, though it might not work with closed headphones.

[beclemund]

I am shortly getting my first ipod and have a number of considerations to make. They are as follows:

1. I am stone deaf in one ear, so I need to look after what I have
2. I will be using the tube a lot in London so I need good noise cancellers (especailly as I won't want it too loud with the above fact)
3. I want something that will also be nice for the home

I want to spend absolutely no more than £100, preferably closer to £50.

Suggestions?

There are some "noise cancellers" here:

http://www.iheadphones.co.uk/sennheiser/35/Noise+Cancelling+Headphones.htm

EDIT: I am really worried about potential ear damage - does anyone have any good medical links on this? (or govt regulatory recommendations?)

I don't have any information for you regarding ear health, so I can't comment on that. I do enjoy the inner ear canal, passive noise canceling buds like the Shure SE210's on the second page of that list you linked. You might be able to find a decent price on some Etymotic ER6's or if you're willing to spend a little more for improved sound, the ER-4 model is nice.

It does take a day or two to get used to the feel of the flange in your ear. Some have said it even feels painful the first day... it was mildly uncomfortable for me, but after a couple of days it felt very natural. The foam buds are even more comfortable--Etymotics come packaged with a variety of buds so you can find one that works best for you. Once you're used to them, you don't really have to worry about headphone fatigue either as they are absolutely not cumbersome like around the ear cans are.

The advantages to these are that you can keep a lower volume level... on public transportation, I can turn my iPod to less than 20% of max volume (not very loud at all) and enjoy all the details my music without hearing engine noise or other conversation. Actually, with the iPod off and my ER-6's inserted, I cannot even hear conversations others are having. Additionally, you won't require another power source like some of the active cancelers require, so less cargo to worry about. The sound is great even without a discrete headphone amp too.

Again tho', I can speak to the potential damage any headphone type might cause your ears. I listen on a very low volume and have been doing the same thing for a few years daily on my commute to work every Monday through Friday with no loss of hearing.... the only ear trouble I have comes from the nasty central Texas allergens I have to deal with.. but they don't make a headphone that cures sinus congestion, AFAIK.