Earbuds vs Headphones

[Guest]

Does earbuds have worse positioning than full size, over ear headphones.

[soaringchicken]

both, I use a pair of earphones for school and over-ears at home :}

[slightlyjaded]

The difference between either from a hardware side is actually minimal for a quality set. The biggest difference I can explain is purely a matter of size. A set of over ears just has more room to generate sound, giving your audio more "body" if that makes sense.....Think of the difference between a quality pair of 30W speakers (yes those do exist) and the same quality with 100W behind them, more power yes, but more penetration, and the sound just feels "fuller".

[Guest]

Why not both? - CS Players

 

[iShad]

Does earbuds have worse positioning than full size, over ear headphones.

If you're talking about sound stage then headphones > earbuds/iems always.

 

The difference between either from a hardware side is actually minimal for a quality set. The biggest difference I can explain is purely a matter of size. A set of over ears just has more room to generate sound, giving your audio more "body" if that makes sense.....Think of the difference between a quality pair of 30W speakers (yes those do exist) and the same quality with 100W behind them, more power yes, but more penetration, and the sound just feels "fuller".

What are you talking about...?

[kunal445]

i prefer to use earbuds while traveling and headphones at home. tho if i had some good earbuds i would use them at home also because headphones ruins my hair and i don't like that.

[slightlyjaded]

If you're talking about sound stage then headphones > earbuds/iems always.

 

What are you talking about...?

Mate this is one of those times I could explain till I'm blue in the face, and if you haven't experienced the difference then you just won't understand... Hook a pair of speakers up to a cheapish low wattage amp, then the same speakers up to amp of the same quality level with a lot more power. If you have it adjusted so that you're not bottomming out your speakers you should be able to tell the difference.

[iShad]

Mate this is one of those times I could explain till I'm blue in the face, and if you haven't experienced the difference then you just won't understand... Hook a pair of speakers up to a cheapish low wattage amp, then the same speakers up to amp of the same quality level with a lot more power. If you have it adjusted so that you're not bottomming out your speakers you should be able to tell the difference.

So pretty much you're talking out of your ass, gotcha.

[Manny Calavera]

Audio techincas ad700x has yet to be beat in sound positioning. ( they are also cheap-ish)

Why? Because openness, details and angled drivers.

 

[Guest]

The difference between either from a hardware side is actually minimal for a quality set. The biggest difference I can explain is purely a matter of size. A set of over ears just has more room to generate sound, giving your audio more "body" if that makes sense.....Think of the difference between a quality pair of 30W speakers (yes those do exist) and the same quality with 100W behind them, more power yes, but more penetration, and the sound just feels "fuller".

 

"Fuller" and "body" are low-midrange descriptors. So you're saying that in-ears lack midrange?

[slightlyjaded]

"Fuller" and "body" are low-midrange descriptors. So you're saying that in-ears lack midrange?

If I'm honest I don't have the language to describe it. Most of my experience with high quality audio is from trying to tune in house, and in car audio from almost 2 decades ago. Outside of a very few high end manufacturers we were on our own. I'm saying while the tonal quality might be there, the shear feeling of the music isn't what it would be with the same quality level of over ears, and ditto for the step up to the same quality level of amp, speaker package.

[Manny Calavera]

If I'm honest I don't have the language to describe it. Most of my experience with high quality audio is from trying to tune in house, and in car audio from almost 2 decades ago. Outside of a very few high end manufacturers we were on our own. I'm saying while the tonal quality might be there, the shear feeling of the music isn't what it would be with the same quality level of over ears, and ditto for the step up to the same quality level of amp, speaker package.

"Does earbuds have worse positioning than full size, over ear headphones."

 

 

Surround system with with bass/mid/tweeters costs to much for avg gamers.

[slightlyjaded]

I got my point across despite not having the lingo you gentlemen have developed since I have been out of the industry. Did you ever stop to think that someone, especially a newcomer might not have the same language you gentlemen enjoy?

 

I made my point that a comparable set of overear headphones had better sound quality in most cases than a set of IEM's. Something you gentlemen have yet seen fit to disagree with. You gentlemen can spout jargon all you want, but in the end sound quality comes down to what it feels like.

[KaminKevCrew]

I got my point across despite not having the lingo you gentlemen have developed since I have been out of the industry. Did you ever stop to think that someone, especially a newcomer might not have the same language you gentlemen enjoy?

I made my point that a comparable set of overear headphones had better sound quality in most cases than a set of IEM's. Something you gentlemen have yet seen fit to disagree with. You gentlemen can spout jargon all you want, but in the end sound quality comes down to what it feels like.

are you high? I've listened to a pair of in ears that are just as good as a $2000 pair of full size headphones. The sound isn't "fuller" Jesus, have you ever listened to any Earbuds other than the ones that come with an iPhone? Your whole claim is misleading and untrue.

[slightlyjaded]

are you high? I've listened to a pair of in ears that are just as good as a $2000 pair of full size headphones. The sound isn't "fuller" Jesus, have you ever listened to any Earbuds other than the ones that come with an iPhone? Your whole claim is misleading and untrue.

Actually my daily drivers are a pair of old UE triple Fi 10's, that I've had for a few years now. I use them when I'm out and about. I still ditch them for my decade old kenwood receiver and bose 501's when I get home.

 

Price has never been a guarantee of quality. And you can always overpay for complete shit.

[KaminKevCrew]

Actually my daily drivers are a pair of old UE triple Fi 10's, that I've had for a few years now. I use them when I'm out and about. I still ditch them for my decade old kenwood receiver and bose 501's when I get home.

Price has never been a guarantee of quality. And you can always overpay for complete shit.

tf10s are no longer anything close to the best you can get, even for the price. They have become outdated (although admittedly, I do want a pair). I am not surprised that you ditch them for a home setup. Speakers are better than headphones, and that's a fact (if they're well setup and everything.) OP was asking about *headphones* and *earbuds/in ears*, not speakers.

I am well aware of the fact that price doesn't really mean anything. However, the specific comparison I'm talking about is between the Audeze LCD-3 and the 1964Ears Adel A12. Both of which are pretty much top of the line. And sound very, very good. They have a very similar sound sig to boot. Your claim that in ears don't sound as full (or however you put it) just isn't true. You can get the same sound quality out of a pair of in ears as full size headphones, and even the same size sound stage, for the most part.

[slightlyjaded]

tf10s are no longer anything close to the best you can get, even for the price. They have become outdated (although admittedly, I do want a pair). I am not surprised that you ditch them for a home setup. Speakers are better than headphones, and that's a fact (if they're well setup and everything.) OP was asking about *headphones* and *earbuds/in ears*, not speakers.

I am well aware of the fact that price doesn't really mean anything. However, the specific comparison I'm talking about is between the Audeze LCD-3 and the 1964Ears Adel A12. Both of which are pretty much top of the line. And sound very, very good. They have a very similar sound sig to boot. Your claim that in ears don't sound as full (or however you put it) just isn't true. You can get the same sound quality out of a pair of in ears as full size headphones, and even the same size sound stage, for the most part.

You're right they are a bit older, but then so am I, and I'm not about the rush out for the latest and greatest when mine are still serving me faithfully.

 

You are aware you're comparing a custom designed pair of IEM's with a mass produced (although pricey) pair of over ears right? AT might have their reputation for a reason but they still make you pay a small fortune for their top of the line gear. Any pair of headphones that is custom tuned for you is likely to sound better than a production line variant....Actually a custom designed pair of headphones for someone else is likely to sound better because those guys take some serious pride in their work. You're comparing apples to jason picking up an extra apple for the argonauts...same beast, different level.

 

There will always be exceptions to any rule. My opinion is just that a comparable pair of over ears is likely to be better than a pair of IEM's. Your opinion is different. Obviously a certain set of our audiophile community agrees with you.

[KaminKevCrew]

You're right they are a bit older, but then so am I, and I'm not about the rush out for the latest and greatest when mine are still serving me faithfully.

You are aware you're comparing a custom designed pair of IEM's with a mass produced (although pricey) pair of over ears right? AT might have their reputation for a reason but they still make you pay a small fortune for their top of the line gear. Any pair of headphones that is custom tuned for you is likely to sound better than a production line variant....Actually a custom designed pair of headphones for someone else is likely to sound better because those guys take some serious pride in their work. You're comparing apples to jason picking up an extra apple for the argonauts...same beast, different level.

There will always be exceptions to any rule. My opinion is just that a comparable pair of over ears is likely to be better than a pair of IEM's. Your opinion is different. Obviously a certain set of our audiophile community agrees with you.

the only custom in ear that gets tuned to your preferences is the ultimate ears personal reference monitor. Other than that, yes, they are molded to your ear, but that really only makes a case for comfort. Not to mention, the ones I heard were universal versions...