Re: Headphones better than pc speakers?

[MINe 109]

In article >,
"Pink_isn't_well" > wrote:

> I recently bought an mp3 player and I've noticed that I've enjoyed
> music much more with its included headphones than my computer's
> speakers. I started plugging them in my computer when I'm listening
> to music.
>
> Is this the case or just my impression? Is it normal that a pair of
> headphones (they're high-sensitivity, like the ones they normally use
> with mp3 players, they're the best I've used, and I've used lots,
> they fail easily) are better than computer speakers or is it just my
> impression? Of course you can't tell without listening to my
> speakers, but I'm asking if this is considered typical, cheap
> computer speakers sounding worse than headphones.

Typical cheap computer speakers don't sound so good in general.
Headphone listening can be more involving because of the isolation from
environmental noise while PC speakers have to compete with the PC, the
room and the neighborhood.

I have relatively good speakers in my computer system, but I still enjoy
putting on the Grados for music when I don't want to fill the house with
sound.

Stephen

[B. Peg]

> "Pink_isn't_well" wrote:
> Is this the case or just my impression? Is it normal that a pair of
> headphones (they're high-sensitivity, like the ones they normally use
> with mp3 players, they're the best I've used, and I've used lots,
> they fail easily) are better than computer speakers or is it just my
> impression? Of course you can't tell without listening to my
> speakers, but I'm asking if this is considered typical, cheap
> computer speakers sounding worse than headphones.

Very subjective, but in my case I'd say yes since most home audiophile
speaker systems are not tuned to the room or are of the best quality. I've
heard few speaker systems where the highs are crisp enough to hear subtle
things like fingers sliding along the strings of a guitar. With a good
phone you'll hear things that a speaker will mask.

If you think the packaged phones are better than your speakers, then you'll
really be happier when you move up to the custom in-ear monitors made by
various companies. With those it becomes more of an issue of fit and
comfort. A bad fit will make any in-ear monitor basically worthless no
matter the price paid (damhik).

B~

[Arny Krueger]

"Pink_isn't_well" > wrote in message

> I recently bought an mp3 player and I've noticed that I've
> enjoyed music much more with its included headphones than
my
> computer's speakers. I started plugging them in my
computer
> when I'm listening to music.

The headphones that come with MP3 players often aren't much
fidelity-wise, but PC speakers can easily be even worse.

> Is this the case or just my impression?

YMMV

>Is it normal that a
> pair of headphones (they're high-sensitivity, like the
ones
> they normally use with mp3 players, they're the best I've
> used, and I've used lots, they fail easily) are better
than
> computer speakers or is it just my impression?

The headphones could be smoother, have a wider range of
response, and have better dynamic range then cheap PC
speakers.

>Of course you
> can't tell without listening to my speakers, but I'm
asking if
> this is considered typical, cheap computer speakers
sounding
> worse than headphones.

Generally yes, cheap PC speakers are pretty grim listening.
Cheap headphones are generally better, but if you spend
somewhat more money, the sound can easily be better still.

[ric]

"B. Peg" wrote:

> > "Pink_isn't_well" wrote:
> > Is this the case or just my impression? Is it normal that a pair of
> > headphones (they're high-sensitivity, like the ones they normally use
> > with mp3 players, they're the best I've used, and I've used lots,
> > they fail easily) are better than computer speakers or is it just my
> > impression? Of course you can't tell without listening to my
> > speakers, but I'm asking if this is considered typical, cheap
> > computer speakers sounding worse than headphones.
>
> Very subjective, but in my case I'd say yes since most home audiophile
> speaker systems are not tuned to the room or are of the best quality.

And since he was writing about his CHEAP COMPUTER SPEAKERS...

[...sigh]

[Tim Martin]

"Pink_isn't_well" > wrote in message
...
> I recently bought an mp3 player and I've noticed that I've enjoyed
> music much more with its included headphones than my computer's
> speakers. I started plugging them in my computer when I'm listening
> to music.
>
> Is this the case or just my impression? Is it normal that a pair of
> headphones (they're high-sensitivity, like the ones they normally use
> with mp3 players, they're the best I've used, and I've used lots,
> they fail easily) are better than computer speakers or is it just my
> impression? Of course you can't tell without listening to my
> speakers, but I'm asking if this is considered typical, cheap
> computer speakers sounding worse than headphones.

Headphones don't need to deliver as much acoustic power as speakers, so
that's one simplifying factor in engineering compromises that go into a
product. Also, headphones help reduce background noise.

So, yes, for a given amount of money, you'd expect headphones to be
generally better than speakers. You could try out different headphones at
your hi-fi store, but I don't suppose you can do the same with in-ear
phones.

Some people don't like the sensation of headphones; and some people feel
they don't get the same bass experience as with a high-quality speaker
system.

You can improve the bass of earphones by improving the seal between them and
your ear. (Just clamp your hands over them to hear the effect). Some
high-quality earphones come with interchangeable parts to better match the
size of your ear. And you can get earphones which fit into custom ear
moulds made by your ear doctor.

Here's one site offering various devices

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/earplugstore/index.html

As I have youngsters who play rock music, I've been wary of their use of
headphones. Firstly, high sound levels areeasily achieved, which may cause
long-term damage to your hearing. Secondly, you are less aware of sound
around you, so you may not notice a fire alarm.

Tim