Headphones Vs Stereo System. Which is best?

[YammyFan]

When I plug my headphones into my lap top to listen to music I love the quality of the sound.  My headphones are NOT expensive ones. When I plug my lap top into my  Stage Pass stereo system I love the quality of the sound.  I have the speakers on my Stage Pass Stereo System set several meters apart.  I find it strange that when  I have my headphones on,  my ears are only  about 10 inches apart.
This is a serious question. I am NOT being frivolous . I have several pairs of headphones, none of them expensive, and I find the quality of  the sound from them excellent.

[Graham UK]

YammyFan.  When wearing headphones you eliminate hearing room acoustics which you get added when using speakers.
It's a personal preference as some people don't like headphones.
You can purchase lowish cost Foam Pads to help dampen room acoustics.

Personally I use headphones all the time because I like that direct sound, but I'm biased because for many years I sold headphones into retail.
I have Sennheiser...AudioTechnica...AKG.
Higher price does not mean you always get a better sound, some low cost headphones are very good. As I stated above...It's a personal preference.

[LaHawk]

YammyFan.  When wearing headphones you eliminate hearing room acoustics which you get added when using speakers.
It's a personal preference as some people don't like headphones.
You can purchase lowish cost Foam Pads to help dampen room acoustics.

Personally I use headphones all the time because I like that direct sound, but I'm biased because for many years I sold headphones into retail.
I have Sennheiser...AudioTechnica...AKG.
Higher price does not mean you always get a better sound, some low cost headphones are very good. As I stated above...It's a personal preference.

So true, the sound from headphones is hard to replicate with external speakers. Headphones however put out different highs. lows, and mids,  making it difficult to record the most natural sound that will sound good for all listeners.  I use headphones a lot, and the sound is always really good. But when switching to onboard speakers, with the same settings, it's nowhere near the quality.

So now a decision needs to be made for recording. Record with, or without headphones

Speaking of recording  it may sound great on your headphones, but another listener who has downloaded your mp3 will not "hear" the same quality, because he has totally different headphones, no headphones at all, or is using built in, or external speakers.  Therefore I suppose the best setting is to record at the flattest setting possible, and have the listener adjust for his personal liking. This could be said for all sounds from a Yamaha arranger, and even from professional recordings.  I personally prefer recording with headphones on and make audio changes without headphones trying to strike a balance.  Audio techs and sound people are needed for a reason.

That being said, Graham, I'm curious as to your #1  "go to" headphones of choice is for listening and/or reordering on a Yamaha arranger.

Happy New Year

[Fred Smith]

I use headphones because my wife doesn't want to hear me practicing.

But when I'm playing for an audience though speakers, the sound is different. Had I known the audience sound, I would change some of my arrangements.

My take: if you're playing only for yourself, use headphones. If you'll be playing for an audience, use speakers.

Cheers,
Fred