Source vs Cans Question

[Huntsman]

As the topic title says, if you are only allowed to choose one of the 2, which would you throw your money on? 

 

A better source(better sound cards or DACs)? or a better pair of headphones(or earbuds in that matter)?

 

Note that if you choose source, it would mean a pair of sucky headphones. If you choose headphones, it would mean onboard audio. Discuss.

[joelthezombie15]

headphones. i can use them more than on my pc. i can use them on a laptop,phone,ipod,everything else too

[OddballMV]

For the most part and in my experience, headphones will give the majority of their quality with or without a good source even with onboard sound, unless they need amping. Upgrading your source is mostly for going for the last 20/15/10/5% of performance from your headphones.

 

Whereas poor headphones will not improve all that much with a better source so you will end up not getting the most out of the good source and then most likely ditching the sucky headphones and buying better ones, thus buying 2 pairs of headphones instead of one.

[ShearMe]

For the most part and in my experience, headphones will give the majority of their quality with or without a good source even with onboard sound, unless they need amping. Upgrading your source is mostly for going for the last 20/15/10/5% of performance from your headphones.

 

Whereas poor headphones will not improve all that much with a better source so you will end up not getting the most out of the good source and then most likely ditching the sucky headphones and buying better ones, thus buying 2 pairs of headphones instead of one.

 

Pretty much agree, until you start going >$150 analog headphones. With headphones that are tuned nicely, you want a nice clean source and amplifying to really bring out the details that are otherwise simply lost somewhere between the digital file and the copper coil.

[OddballMV]

Pretty much agree, until you start going >$150 analog headphones. With headphones that are tuned nicely, you want a nice clean source and amplifying to really bring out the details that are otherwise simply lost somewhere between the digital file and the copper coil.

 

Absolutely, more expensive headphones need to be treated on their own merits and a more personalised source/amp combo should be selected if it is necessary.