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Ask HN: Anyone prefer listening to music with a stereo vs. headphones?

by samh748 on 7/3/22, 1:55 AM with 13 comments

Headphones are all the rage nowadays, but how does it compare to a roughly equally good set of stereo?

I can see that headphones are more popular due to practical reasons, like portability and not disturbing your neighbors. But if those didn't matter, what would you actually choose?

Personally, headphones tend to numb (ie damage) my ears, even if just a tad bit, unless I have it at minimum volume. And I'm definitely not the kinda person who cranks up the volume at all (that's how I can even detect the slight damage to my ears).

Stereo, on the other hand, I can have it much louder without any detectable damage. Plus, my favorite thing about playing music via the stereo is that it actually moves/shakes the physical space around me, which makes it even more enjoyable to rock out/party with.

I much prefer having the beat in the environment rather than just my ears/head.

What are your thoughts about this?

  • by duped on 7/3/22, 7:03 AM

    I prefer loudspeakers but with caveats. For background I have worked professionally in audio both on the production and product side. Take that as bias, not credentials.

    My home audio system(s) are like project cars or using Linux for general purpose computing. I think it's better than headphones but I also recognize most folks don't have the budget, time, or expertise to do it well. I enjoy getting compliments when people come over for a game or movie night and my system sounds excellent, but that's because I've been trained how to do it and spent money and time to get it down for the rooms. For most people, headphones are way better than anything they could buy and plug in.

    I still use headphones or earbuds for video calls because AEC is really bad in 2022. I encourage everyone to use them on their calls too.

    Before my audiophile card is revoked, bass should be felt and heard as an extension of the track and rattle is not desirable. Isolate your speakers and tune the rig so it doesn't boom and you'll thank me. My tuning track is Return To Forever's "No Mystery" to nail balance and sound stage, always great to use one that you know when changing rooms or gear.

  • by wrycoder on 7/3/22, 3:19 AM

    I’m close to profound hearing loss, and I much prefer a good sound system with speakers.

    “Hearing” the music with my body makes a big difference, and I can adjust the bass/treble effectively, which I can’t do with most headphone/earbud systems.

  • by News-Dog on 7/3/22, 5:41 AM

    I use ear-buds, enclosed headphones, open-back headphones, 2.1 stereo and 5.1 surround-sound.

    It all depends on the source audio and what I'm doing.

    You may like to check out this thread;

    >Ask HN: Life-like audio setup for spoken-word content?< : https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31291037

  • by nobody9999 on 7/3/22, 2:37 AM

    If I'm in my own space, I much prefer ambient music.

    If I'm out amongst the hoi polloi, I will (but only if I'm in a secure space like an Amtrak train -- not the subway, and homey don't ride no bus -- or a commercial airliner) use headphones, but never ear buds.

    Ear buds are uncomfortable and annoying.

  • by tkgally on 7/3/22, 5:33 AM

    I’m lucky to have a home office that is nearly soundproof, and when there I listen to music only through a stereo. When I want to listen to music while out, I use earbuds while walking and noise-cancelling headphones on public transportation.

    I like clear music reproduction, but I’m not an audiophile. In my office, I listen through some compact Bose speakers that I bought more than thirty years ago. I’m sure better speakers are available, but I’ve never felt the need to upgrade.

  • by ge96 on 7/3/22, 2:03 AM

    I use both. Headphones at night (neighbors) or to focus (get in the zone).

    I screwed around with headphones (to find the right ones) I prefer the v-profile ones.

    If I really need to focus, silence.

  • by retrocryptid on 7/3/22, 7:51 AM

    when i'm camping in the desert, i'll sometimes bring a couple studio monitors and crank up some ambient music (eno, budd, fripp, etc.) sorta loud. then walk about 50 feet away. it's a different experience. some of the high end disappears. wind sometimes masks parts of the music.

    i slurp down some ayahuasca and listen to the music with animal spirit guides.

    you can't do this with ear buds.

    this drains my car battery, so i can't do it too long.

  • by muzani on 7/3/22, 2:35 AM

    I would use stereo if everyone around me had the same taste in music. Maybe I should get a cabin in the woods to do work some day.