Have IEMs made closed back headphones obselete?

[klipschsoundsystem]

The average IEM has better frequency response, pricing, and arguably more comfortable than the average headphone. Is there any point to buying closed back headphones anymore, besides nostalgia?

 

[respice finem]

Obsolete? Not really IMHO, because some people can't tolerate IEM well. That includes me, though I've found a workaround, which is using foam-type earpieces. With standard ones, I hear my pulse and breathing. OTOH, IEM eliminate the seal problem for wearers of glasses.

 

[Doodski]

The average IEM has better frequency response, pricing, and arguably more comfortable than the average headphone. Is there any point to buying closed back headphones anymore, besides nostalgia?

I am not convinced that in-ear gear is better than all over the ear gear. I attempted getting better in-ear gear but no success to date. I have had several in-ear phones over the recent ~2 years and my Sennheiser open back headphones sound better than all of them. The Sennheiser over the ear open back headphones sound better in all ways.

 

[raif71]

I listen to both iem and headphones and for serious listening, I go for my Hifiman Ananda Nano. Next up, planning to get the Arya Organic. I have the usual 6xx Sens and 800 but I prefer planars.

 

[Sir Sanders Zingmore]

I find the answer to clickbait type headlines is invariably "no"

 

[Curvature]

The average IEM has better frequency response, pricing, and arguably more comfortable than the average headphone. Is there any point to buying closed back headphones anymore, besides nostalgia?

IEMs have: unpredictable frequency response because it entirely depends on fit, seal and interaction with your ear canal. In-ear compensation is impractical compared to headphones, which face similar issues.

 

[Matias]

The average IEM has better frequency response, pricing, and arguably more comfortable than the average headphone. Is there any point to buying closed back headphones anymore, besides nostalgia?

IMO, you are right. IEMs killed headphones.

 

[Berwhale]

Why can't headphones and IEMs just be friends?

 

[RPoitou]

IEMs or headphones:- I would only use either as a last resort - damn things give me claustrophobia!

 

[kyuu]

IEMs are fine, but I've found that I prefer the drivers to be not be directly adjacent to my eardrums. Therefore, in terms of preference it's definitely IEMs < Headphones < speakers.

 

[izeek]

iont know about killing cans but iems are probably putting a dent in it.
never been a big fan of headphones.
iems are more comfortable for me.
maybe its a sensory thing as the iems dont weigh anything so it feels more natural. like nothing on my head.

 

[The Mule]

I can't stand stuff in my ears. So that would be a No.

 

[RexrothPigeon]

I find the answer to clickbait type headlines is invariably "no"

Betteridge's law of headlines - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[obsessive9119]

For me personally, it seems, the answer is “yes”. First the HD560S “killed” all my other headphones, except for the closed Beyer DT250 which I still used for the isolation.

My recently acquired Truthear Gate’s have not only replaced the DT250, but they’ve also pretty well replaced the HD560S, too. They’re pretty much all I listen to.

 

[beeface]

imo: loudspeakers > over ears > in ears

purely from a comfort/ergonomic perspective. but I do appreciate that the order is in reverse when ranking fidelity for money

 

[Jcrow]

I’ve been tempted to try in-ear for my own vocal tracking, but haven’t gotten around to it. Personally I prefer the idea of over ear for a more immersive experience. Though, this might be more of a bias.
For casual listening, I think I still prefer over ear due to comfort (I don’t like the feeling of in-ear) and the perceived immersiveness/soundstage.

 

[Moonhead]

Well for a long time I ignored IEM, didn't like the shove in feeling but curiosity let me to sell HD6XX (which was not easy) to purchase
Thruthear HEXA and I'm still mesmerised about the sq in these small beast, that does everything better than Sennheiser except for soundtage.

I never been keen on closed back either and I'm kinda in a limbo moment as my tinnitus are persuading me to try some open back again
Funny thing is my informer iPhone tells me that I listen TO loud with HD6XX & Momentum4 and that is not the case with HEXA

 

[solderdude]

Downside for IEMs is that the ear canal has an ingenious earwax system with little hairs.
This is 'designed' to keep the ears clean by 'transporting' dust etc. slowly out of the ear canal till it leaves the ear (by occasionally wiping the concha now and then).

IEM's mess with this system. Each time you shove them in you push the ear gunk back in and the small hairs get 'bent' too.
Sure... some of it will stick to the tip... and be pulled out.

The average IEM has better frequency response,

IEM's can measure very well on test fixtures but research has shown quite some delta in ear-canal shape and size (diameter and length) which matters for frequencies > 5kHz. This means that treble response, in reality, may differ substantially from the nice looking plots on an industry standard 'tube' (5128 is more human-like but also just 1 'human').

Then there is insertion depth and seal (good tips and right diameter nozzle will be fine for seal).

The average IEM has better frequency response, pricing, and arguably more comfortable than the average headphone. Is there any point to buying closed back headphones anymore, besides nostalgia?

As was mentioned before... some folks simply don't like the feel of the plugs.
Occasionally I have to wear ear-plugs for a few hours and really hate those but I need the attenuation at that moment.

 

[oleg87]

and arguably more comfortable than the average headphone

Strong no for me

 

[Sir Sanders Zingmore]

Betteridge's law of headlines - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Thanks!
I thought I’d come up with that all by myself.