Speaker or earphone at DVinfo.net

Bruce Phung · February 21st, 2010, 02:01 PM

My Desktop don't have speaker, I have been using earphone when I am doing editing. Having the earphone all the time I don't like it. Which do you guys prefer using, speaker or earphone?

Don Bloom · February 21st, 2010, 02:54 PM

speakers-not necessarily the standard PC types but IMO they are better than headphones.

Mike Kujbida · February 21st, 2010, 03:22 PM

I agree with Don.
Headphones will never give you the correct sound that you'll experience in a normal listening environment.
Cheap computer speakers are better than none at all but a decent pair of monitors is a worthwhile investment.
For example, M-Audio has the Studiophile AV 20, AV 30 and AV 40 series of desktop speakers for $80, $100 and $200 respectively that would be far better than headphones.
Prices are manufacturers list so you can definitely do better elsewhere.

Bruce Phung · February 21st, 2010, 03:39 PM

Don/Mike

Thank you for your input. I will get a speaker sets. For $100 I can get a pretty good desktop speaker. My ears and head get tired with the headphone claming on me for hrs.

Adam Stanislav · February 21st, 2010, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Kujbida

For example, M-Audio has the Studiophile AV 20, AV 30 and AV 40 series of desktop speakers for $80, $100 and $200 respectively that would be far better than headphones.
Prices are manufacturers list so you can definitely do better elsewhere.

Interesting. Just for the heck of it, I searched for them at my favorite audio supplier and, yes, you can do better. But before buying them, double check what kind of input they take. The AV-20, for example, take RCA inputs, so you would need an adapter cable to connect them to a computer with its 1/8" output.

Though I still prefer AKG K-55 headphones. :)

Marty Welk · February 21st, 2010, 04:56 PM

both, speakers to hear like most normal people will be hearing, and headphones standing by to check nuances of sounds that might not get noticed via speakers.

Mike Hammond · February 22nd, 2010, 09:10 AM

Really depends on what I'm editing. If I'm doing something outdoors and I want to check for very subtle sounds in the background, especially is my subject is far away, then I'll use headphones.

Otherwise, speakers for sound and comfort.

Jay Massengill · February 22nd, 2010, 10:42 AM

There are also speakers that can act as a USB audio interface with the computer. In addition you can use a regular USB or FireWire audio interface between the computer and a set of powered speakers and/or headphones. I mention all this in case your computer's analog audio outputs have poor sound quality.

Ian Stark · February 24th, 2010, 03:44 AM

I'm with Marty on this. If audio quality is critical for you (and keep in mind the old saying that an audience might forgive poor video but not poor audio) then you need both.

It's also not a bad thing to listen on a variety of speakers if you can. I have an expensive pair of reference monitors (well, expensive for me anyway!), plus two sets of desktop speakers, of different quality, hanging off different audio interfaces. In addition, I have an ancient single speaker thingy which lets me listen in mono to make sure everything is cutting through OK. But that might be over the top, I admit, and I don't use that so much these days. This obsession with audio quality comes from my audio editing days but I think they are good habits.

Worth perhaps bearing in mind that lots more people are watching video on their iPhones, iPods, netbooks etc on the train and in airports (and in my case, in bed - best time to catch up for me!). Those people will be listening with headphones or earbuds, so if you want to make sure your sound is right for them, check it on headphones as well.

February 21st, 2010, 02:01 PM	#1
Bruce Phung Major Player Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Rochester,NY USA Posts: 285	Speaker or earphone My Desktop don't have speaker, I have been using earphone when I am doing editing. Having the earphone all the time I don't like it. Which do you guys prefer using, speaker or earphone?

February 21st, 2010, 02:54 PM	#2
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	speakers-not necessarily the standard PC types but IMO they are better than headphones. __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

February 21st, 2010, 04:56 PM	#6
Marty Welk Major Player Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: East Bay Cali Posts: 563	both, speakers to hear like most normal people will be hearing, and headphones standing by to check nuances of sounds that might not get noticed via speakers. __________________ ----------------sig----------------- Re-learning everything all over again, one more time.

February 24th, 2010, 03:44 AM	#9
Ian Stark Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,237	I'm with Marty on this. If audio quality is critical for you (and keep in mind the old saying that an audience might forgive poor video but not poor audio) then you need both. It's also not a bad thing to listen on a variety of speakers if you can. I have an expensive pair of reference monitors (well, expensive for me anyway!), plus two sets of desktop speakers, of different quality, hanging off different audio interfaces. In addition, I have an ancient single speaker thingy which lets me listen in mono to make sure everything is cutting through OK. But that might be over the top, I admit, and I don't use that so much these days. This obsession with audio quality comes from my audio editing days but I think they are good habits. Worth perhaps bearing in mind that lots more people are watching video on their iPhones, iPods, netbooks etc on the train and in airports (and in my case, in bed - best time to catch up for me!). Those people will be listening with headphones or earbuds, so if you want to make sure your sound is right for them, check it on headphones as well. __________________ www.vit-media.com www.classicmachinefilms.co.uk

February 21st, 2010, 03:22 PM	#3
Mike Kujbida Inner Circle Join Date: May 2005 Location: Windsor, ON Canada Posts: 2,770	I agree with Don. Headphones will never give you the correct sound that you'll experience in a normal listening environment. Cheap computer speakers are better than none at all but a decent pair of monitors is a worthwhile investment. For example, M-Audio has the Studiophile AV 20, AV 30 and AV 40 series of desktop speakers for $80, $100 and $200 respectively that would be far better than headphones. Prices are manufacturers list so you can definitely do better elsewhere.

February 21st, 2010, 03:39 PM	#4
Bruce Phung Major Player Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Rochester,NY USA Posts: 285	Don/Mike Thank you for your input. I will get a speaker sets. For $100 I can get a pretty good desktop speaker. My ears and head get tired with the headphone claming on me for hrs.

February 22nd, 2010, 09:10 AM	#7
Mike Hammond Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: West Orange, NJ, U.S. Posts: 163	Really depends on what I'm editing. If I'm doing something outdoors and I want to check for very subtle sounds in the background, especially is my subject is far away, then I'll use headphones. Otherwise, speakers for sound and comfort.

February 22nd, 2010, 10:42 AM	#8
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	There are also speakers that can act as a USB audio interface with the computer. In addition you can use a regular USB or FireWire audio interface between the computer and a set of powered speakers and/or headphones. I mention all this in case your computer's analog audio outputs have poor sound quality.