Headphone popularity amongst 'traditional' Audiophiles

[Drummerman]

Its not going unnoticed that the Headphone section is usually a far second or third (or less) in Audiophile forums. One particular forum even only just introduced a dedicated section after many years of existence - Yet, amongst younger music lovers, Headphones and associated products are some of the fastest growing products for Hifi replay. Just look at the average demographic/age of the respective show goers. It is usually at least a one generation gap.

Is it money? Perhaps at the very low end but nowadays Headphone listening has developed into serious investment territory too. Is it convenience? Maybe but again, some Headphone stations are now serious equipment with Valve or multi box amplification, separate DAC's and power supplies and not exactly cheap cables.

Is it a generation thing? I hope not because the aim is the same and if we want to continue attracting 'youngen's' we perhaps should acknowledge Headphones as genuinely Audiophile. My feeling is that many here and elsewhere still regard that particular hardware as either a gap filler or necessary only if listening via speakers is not feasible which is a shame.

Perhaps the fault lies within show organisers? Many of which now only/mainly feature sky high priced equipment for the few and little in the way of starter systems.

I came relatively late to better headphone listening and wouldn't want to do without it now.

Do you have thoughts?

 

[JANDL100]

My preference is for loudspeaker listening, although I have a tidy collection of fairly upmarket headphones.

My headphone listening is usually at night due to fairly frequent insomnia issues.
It's very rare that I use headphones when I could be listening to loudspeakers.

Also used mornings before the Mrs gets up (she's a late sleeper compared to me).

So basically I only use headphones when I don't want to wake up the other half.
But they still usually get used several hours a day.

 

[rabski]

Somewhat of a personal thing, I suspect. Certainly among 'serious' enthusiasts.

A bit like Jerry, I have a few pairs, but only a (very) cheap dedicated headphone amp. I listen only when speakers would be disturbing for others, so very late at night or very early in the morning.

To be honest, I just don't particularly like listening with headphones. Nothing against the sound quality, which I know can be excellent. I simply don't enjoy it as much.

 

[Tony_J]

I tend to use them only when I am out & about in the garden, connected to my phone via Bluetooth, so it is background music rather than audiophile listening. I used to use them a lot when flying, but I haven't flown since I retired 7 years ago.

 

[StingRay]

I don't like headphones, only use occasionally on computer or ipad. Soundstage is one issue and comfort is another.

 

[awkwardbydesign]

I have never liked headphones. I would rather be "in" an inferior soundscape than have a superior one inside me. I do have a pair of Meze 99 Classics, bought because I got then at a huge discount, but even then only because they were the most comfortable ones I have tried. But I almost never wear them.
I did like the old Jecklin Float 'statics, but still preferred speakers.
My current Tannoys and Accuphase amp work well enough down to ridiculously low levels.

 

[rabski]

I wonder how much of it is psychological? I know that I feel just slightly ill at ease when I'm acoustically isolated from my surroundings, and the lack of background 'information' makes it hard for me to completely relax.

Something primeval possibly. Not that I'm likely to have a sabre-tooth tiger creeping up behind me in the listening room, but you never know.

 

[Tony_J]

I wonder how much of it is psychological? I know that I feel just slightly ill at ease when I'm acoustically isolated from my surroundings, and the lack of background 'information' makes it hard for me to completely relax.

Something primeval possibly. Not that I'm likely to have a sabre-tooth tiger creeping up behind me in the listening room, but you never know.

I find noise cancelling headphones particularly difficult/disturbing to wear - it feels as if they are sucking my brains out through my ears

 

[rabski]

I find noise cancelling headphones particularly difficult/disturbing to wear - it feels as if they are sucking my brains out through my ears

I am being good today, so I won't make the obvious comment

 

[savvypaul]

I'm fine with headphones. I have some planars that I use once or twice a month. But, I am conscious of preserving what hearing I have left.

When youngsters can afford to buy their own houses they might also buy some speakers. But, they are wedded to their phones, by then.

 

[Drummerman]

So far as expected . I get it (that was probably my point initially) but why do youngsters (or at least folks younger than most of us) enjoy Headfi more than Hifi?

There seems to be a clear age divide, I just wondered why that might be.

 

[Lawrence001]

So far as expected . I get it (that was probably my point initially) but why do youngsters (or at least folks younger than most of us) enjoy Headfi more than Hifi?

There seems to be a clear age divide, I just wondered why that might be.

Maybe partly because they're more likely to live with their parents or a shared house and have less space, and sit at a desk on a computer playing games or doing social media or whatever they get up to, so a headphone system makes much more sense than a big separates system.

 

[StingRay]

I wonder how much of it is psychological? I know that I feel just slightly ill at ease when I'm acoustically isolated from my surroundings, and the lack of background 'information' makes it hard for me to completely relax.

Something primeval possibly. Not that I'm likely to have a sabre-tooth tiger creeping up behind me in the listening room, but you never know.

Are you using closed back or open headphones? I did try some closed back ones, but could not get with them.

 

[StingRay]

Maybe partly because they're more likely to live with their parents or a shared house and have less space, and sit at a desk on a computer playing games or doing social media or whatever they get up to, so a headphone system makes much more sense than a big separates system.

I notice a lot of youtube reviewers, use computer desktop based headphone systems. There are headphones forums that are very active apparently.

 

[The Snug]

Horses for courses. I like to play music at a decent volume and sometimes that is not fair on the rest of the house. On those occasions my headphones are a reasonable option. When I am working in my den, I find headphones are a better option than listening to the main system through a concrete wall. My preference is for open-backed headphones so that there is some evidence of a world going on around me. When I use a pair of B&W earbuds with my iPhone, I can stand the closed in feeling for a while, but it gets overwhelming.

 

[lowendall]

Its not going unnoticed that the Headphone section is usually a far second or third (or less) in Audiophile forums. One particular forum even only just introduced a dedicated section after many years of existence - Yet, amongst younger music lovers, Headphones and associated products are some of the fastest growing products for Hifi replay. Just look at the average demographic/age of the respective show goers. It is usually at least a one generation gap.

Is it money? Perhaps at the very low end but nowadays Headphone listening has developed into serious investment territory too. Is it convenience? Maybe but again, some Headphone stations are now serious equipment with Valve or multi box amplification, separate DAC's and power supplies and not exactly cheap cables.

Is it a generation thing? I hope not because the aim is the same and if we want to continue attracting 'youngen's' we perhaps should acknowledge Headphones as genuinely Audiophile. My feeling is that many here and elsewhere still regard that particular hardware as either a gap filler or necessary only if listening via speakers is not feasible which is a shame.

Perhaps the fault lies within show organisers? Many of which now only/mainly feature sky high priced equipment for the few and little in the way of starter systems.

I came relatively late to better headphone listening and wouldn't want to do without it now.

Do you have thoughts?

I don't know why ,I do a lot of headphone hours but also aware it's just one speaker trying to do everything ,I have nice ovations sennhieserd and also better DT pro 770 both very different but I just wonder apart from electrostatic. Howuch better or open phones with single drivers are . I know in ears can have multiple drivers etc I might look at a set . But it's very tricky comparing etc .

 

[parcelmonkey]

I'm interested in a headphone system but it's so boggling to see the choice on offer. I like closed back options, I love being isolated from what's around me and feel it immerses me more in the music, albeit with a cheap pair presently.

I haven't been to a dealer demo yet so I do wonder what a decent usb dac plugged in to my phone plus headphones would likely cost for above average level of SQ? I have a cheapie option already but really wouldn't want to go over a thousand pounds.

I think there's a place for both in the Audiophile world.

 

[Camverton]

I've always preferred listening to loudspeakers but had a pair of Stax headphones and portable CD player for when working away from home. Now that I have a hearing problem (hopefully it can be cured) in one ear I am finding headphones very useful.

I have settled on Hifiman HE1000 Stealth and to my surprise and delight the sound is not in the middle of my head but slightly in front which makes the experience slightly less unnatural. It is a good way of hearing all that is going on in the music but not in a way that resembles listening to a performance.

With the android USB Audio Player Pro I can adjust the channel for my dodgy ear with its good parametric EQ.

 

[tuga]

I don't enjoy listening with headphones, not the soundstage nor the wearing something on my head.
I've never tried good IEMs.

 

[Bourneendboy]

I've been headphones only for around 10 years now and would never go back to a speaker system.

We moved to a tiny cottage, so no space for speakers and the rest of the gear and I do like to listen at gig volumes. Closed back headphones work perfectly for my scenario.