Headphones - audio accessory or legitimate component?

Danny Tse
Danny Tse Posts: 5,206
edited May 2011 in 2 Channel Audio
Some people consider headphones to be mere audio accessory. I, on the other hand, consider headphones to be a legitimate audio component. Of course, both speakers and headphones have their strengths and weaknesses. And certainly their respective presentation of the music to the listener is different.

So what do you think?
Post edited by Danny Tse on
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Comments

  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,727
    edited April 2011
    I couldn't imagine not having a great set of cans in the house. To me they are just as important as speakers...
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited April 2011
    I have two two tube amps for My Senn hd650's and Grado sr100's.
    I have three sets of Stax headphones and three amps, including a
    home brew tube hybrid. You can say I take them seriously.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,033
    edited April 2011
    As mentioned, both have their own attributes and deficiencies. Personally, I enjoy speakers 10X over that of head gear but I haven't invested that much into head gear [basically for that reason]. When you need to be quiet and you yearn for your audio addiction? Headphones can be priceless.

    **** for tat for me.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • Ern Dog
    Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
    edited April 2011
    I think headphones are a component for sure. I have both and use my speakers way more than headphones, but it is nice to have both options.
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited April 2011
    For work they are a necessity. For home, not so much.

    Work is Sennheiser HD650 headphones, iPod/Wadia, and Benchmark Pre/DAC/headphone amp, so they definitely are a component.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • coolsax
    coolsax Posts: 1,824
    edited April 2011
    I've recently gotten into some Head-fi and fully agree that it is a component. whether its for portable use or critical listening. It is a great option when you don't want to fire up the whole rig or need it to be quieter while others in the house are sleeping or busy.
    Main 2ch -
    BlueSound Node->Ethereal optical cable->Peachtree Audio Nova 150->GoldenEar Triton 2+
    TT - Pro-ject Classic SB with Sumiko Bluepoint.

    TV 3.1 system -
    Denon 3500 -> Dynaudio Excite 32/22
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,420
    edited April 2011
    Certain kinds of headphones would qualify as components for sure, but there are some that are just an accessory. I would equate earbuds and small portable type headphones in the same catagory as I do my wife's Bose I-doc, while the Sennheiser cans mentioned above fit the component catagory...
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited April 2011
    IMO, headphones are definitely components. They provide a very different listening experience compared to loudspeakers, but I personally don't really think that one is better than the other. I tend to enjoy listening to music through loudspeakers more myself, but I do truly enjoy listening to music through my phones too. All I have is a decent pair of Sony cans that cost me about $60...not sure of the model number offhand though. They sound fantastic, and they're not even really what most would consider high end.

    I would eventually like to invest in a quality headphone setup though.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • Poee7R
    Poee7R Posts: 904
    edited April 2011
    To me, an accessory. I prefer not to have something on my head and covering my ears. But they are useful if I need them.

    I absolutely see how they could be a component to others though.


    Dave
    Once again we meet at last.
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  • TouchOfEvil
    TouchOfEvil Posts: 967
    edited April 2011
    Component for sure. I use mine all the time at the computer.
    Living Room Rig:D
    Rotel RSP-1069/Rotel RMB-1095/Rotel-1072/Polk lsI15's W/modded xoverW/DBsubs/Polk LsiC/lsI7's/Klipsch sub-12"the weak link"/DLP Mitsubishi 65"
    Xbox360/PS3/WII
    M.Br. setup:)
    Emotiva MMC-1/Rotel RMB-1075/Polk BlackStone TL350's/Velodyne SPL1000/Samsung 51" Plasma
    Computer Rig:
    Rotel RB1050/Tannoy DC4's/Klipsch RW-10d/ImodIpod/HK AVR230 for now....
    Headphones-Ultrasone-HFI780's w/LittleDot MK Vamp Portables Panasonic HJE-900's
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited April 2011
    Legit. Groado SR125's are what I recommend as a jumping off point.
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • Bababouey
    Bababouey Posts: 129
    edited April 2011
    They are a necessary component as far as my wife is concerned around eleven p.m.
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  • jbooker82
    jbooker82 Posts: 1,627
    edited May 2011
    If you buy them for the color / look then accessory.

    If you buy them for how they preform then componet.

    There are companies that produce head phones that meet both. Those would be accessorized componets.
    AVR: Onkyo Tx-NR808
    Amplifier: Carver A-753x 250 watts x 3
    Fronts: Polk RTI A7 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Center: CSI A4 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Rear: FXI A4
    Sub: Polk DSW Pro 660wi
    TV: LG Infinia 50PX950 3D
    Speaker Cable: AudioQuest Type 8
    IC: AudioQuest Black Mamba II
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  • DeadFeat1
    DeadFeat1 Posts: 51
    edited May 2011
    RuSsMaN wrote: »
    Legit. Groado SR125's are what I recommend as a jumping off point.

    I agree that the Grado SR 125s are excellent. I would also highly recommend the Allessandro MS1i Grado's. Can't go wrong with either - great bang for the buck.
    Don't forget to enjoy the music...
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited May 2011
    RuSsMaN wrote: »
    Legit. Groado SR125's are what I recommend as a jumping off point.


    Those will most likely be my next step whenever I get myself a new pair of headphones. They get great reviews everywhere. Price is quite reasonable too.


    Interestingly...the Grado SR125's were awarded Stereophiles "Product of the Year" award in two categories.

    The Accessory of the Year and...
    Budget Component of the Year.

    So, I guess in this case they're both accessories and components. ;)
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • packetjones
    packetjones Posts: 1,059
    edited May 2011
    Is there a pair of wireless cans that are about the same price/quality? i would be interested in picking some up.
    Front - RTiA5's
    Rear - RTiA3's
    Center - CSiA4
    Sub - PSW110
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited May 2011
    Depends on the listener. I've never been a headphone guy personally--but I can understand the interest in them. I have a pair of Grado (SR-60??? I think--I dunno)..they're cool as hell to listen to, just not my preference for the vast majority of my listening.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited May 2011
    Often a component worthy of its own system.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited May 2011
    I prefer to listen to speakers over headphones every time at home, but I couldn't travel without my Klipsch X10i as they are very portable and allow me to bring the music anywhere I go; with a portable headphone amp and my iPhone, they do a great job with the music.
    Jake
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  • TNRabbit
    TNRabbit Posts: 2,168
    edited May 2011
    Sometimes I listen to my AKG-701s with the sub on behind my chair to get that "tactile" feel you miss with cans....

    component for sure.
    TNRabbit
    NO Polk Audio Equipment :eek:
    Sunfire TG-IV
    Ashly 1001 Active Crossover
    Rane PEQ-15 Parametric Equalizers x 2
    Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature Seven
    Carver AL-III Speakers
    Klipsch RT-12d Subwoofer
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