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Are you a headphone or speaker user?

Which way do you consume your music?

  • I mostly use speakers.

    Votes: 238 53.6%
  • I mostly use headphones.

    Votes: 109 24.5%
  • I use headphones and speakers equally.

    Votes: 97 21.8%

  • Total voters
    444

Daverz

Major Contributor
Joined
Mar 17, 2019
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I used headphones a lot more when I was younger, which may explain the tinnitus. With headphones, the ringing in my ears and the music are in the same space, but with speakers it's easier to ignore the ringing.

That said, my 650s sound fantastic with the Magni 3.
 

solderdude

Grand Contributor
Joined
Jul 21, 2018
Messages
15,891
Likes
35,912
Location
The Neitherlands
I used to be a strictly speakers guy (electrostats) but the last 10 years or so more a headphone guy for practical reasons.
 

XpanD

Active Member
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Apr 7, 2018
Messages
146
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171
Location
Netherlands
I always find headphones very uncomfortable for longer periods, so 99% speakers here. Headphones are great when I just need to hear a specific part of a mix, though!
 

sergeauckland

Major Contributor
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Mar 16, 2016
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Suffolk UK
Strictly 'speakers only. I use headphones for monitoring during live recordings when 'speakers aren't possible, but that's pretty much it.

I find headphones totally unsatisfactory for music reproduction as in real life, music doesn't happen inside one's head, but out in front, or all around.

I've tried binaural and dummy head recordings, and they don't work for me, as they fail to localise outside the head. I haven't tried the Smyth system, and that might change my view on headphones, but as things stand, I'd rather listen on a portable radio than even the best headphones.

S.
 

solderdude

Grand Contributor
Joined
Jul 21, 2018
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35,912
Location
The Neitherlands
music doesn't happen inside one's head, but out in front, or all around.

I've tried binaural and dummy head recordings, and they don't work for me, as they fail to localise outside the head.

Amen .... It takes time getting used to headphone. I had to and had to accept the loss of spatial sound but in return got excellent sound quality for affordable prices but.. indeed inside the head. So used to it now it doesn't bother me in the least any more. It did during the 'transition'
 

Frank Dernie

Master Contributor
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Joined
Mar 24, 2016
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15,778
Location
Oxfordshire
Speakers, headphones only when speakers are not available. I used to use headphones a bit to avoid disturbing others but now the children have gone and my spouse has her room, for TV, and I mine, for music, never needed any more.
 

Newk Yuler

Active Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2019
Messages
155
Likes
252
Both, although it depends on my location.
 
Last edited:

dkfan9

Member
Joined
May 15, 2019
Messages
54
Likes
26
Location
Columbus, Ohio
Speakers, 100% of the time for serious listening, and about 98% of the time for all listening (2% is single ear of a stereo BT headphone set for youtube videos, podcasts, etc while at work or working around the house). Headphones just don't give me the feels in the same way, and any music I fell in love with on headphones in college has a whole new life on speakers these days.
 

Fledermaus

Active Member
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Joined
Jan 19, 2019
Messages
157
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290
Location
France
95% speakers here, only use headphones out of necessity, or occasionnally when I'm tired of always hearing the same room/speaker effects messing with the music.
 

Juhazi

Major Contributor
Joined
Sep 15, 2018
Messages
1,717
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2,897
Location
Finland
98% speakers. I hate headphones, specially plugs.
 

BDWoody

Chief Cat Herder
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Jan 9, 2019
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6,948
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Location
Mid-Atlantic, USA. (Maryland)
Speakers...everywhere... I like a space filled with music.
 

Crane

Active Member
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Joined
Dec 16, 2018
Messages
145
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163
Both but only cause I don't have the luxury of an isolated room to listen at levels I'd like, if I could eliminate headphones from my life I would. That being said I have a renewed fondness for headphones recently with changes in my DAC/Amp.
 

dkinric

Addicted to Fun and Learning
Joined
Nov 21, 2018
Messages
666
Likes
1,446
Location
Virginia, USA
Speakers whenever possible, headphones only if not practical for speaker listening. Even then, most of the time I will find something else to do. Headphones are interesting, but cannot compare to the full spectrum experience of a good audio system.
 

Xulonn

Major Contributor
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Joined
Jun 27, 2018
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6,311
Location
Boquete, Chiriqui, Panama
Speakers only. My small "not so great" room is horrible acoustically, but my small rental is a stand-alone casa with no shared walls. (I am curious as to how many regulars here need to use headphones to be able to turn up the volume and not disturb other people.)

In addition to enjoying being immersed in music, I have a weird psychological/behavioral trait that doesn't allow me to get lost in the music via headphones - I frequently lifted them or turned down the volume thinking I heard something that required my attention.
 

FrantzM

Major Contributor
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Mar 12, 2016
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I am a a speaker guy forced by circumstances to listen mostly to headphones ( I have several, but the mainstays are HifiMan HE560 and HE6) . I have never been annoyed by the "music in the head" presentation but long very much for a return to full range, high accuracy speaker system in my life.
I don't listen that loud: average 80 dB SPL but peaks of 110 dB at the listening position are wished for ... Let's call it close to a requirement :). I am sure I am getting it currently and likely better with my soon to arrive "ASR Special" combo :D

I didn't vote thus .
 
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