Bass Cab vs Headphones

[sandwich5027]

I have a 410 Ampeg cab with GK MB500 and I recently purchased Shure 940 headphones. All I can say is that I ca't play through my amp when practicing anymore! The headphones sound 10x better.....but why? The sound is soooo much clearer and compressed(ish) from Headphones....Ugh Every little detail is easily picked up with HP and I use my cabinet after and I want to burn it, it sounds awful, like a little practice crap amp..haha...Am I weird?

 

[Nephilymbass]

I go back and forth when practicing. Sometimes I just don't feel like opening my rack. And I'll just sit in the couch and jam with my bass, the pod HD and some headphones. For me it's just convenient way to practice especially when the wife and kids are sleeping

 

[bigmoosepi]

headphones always sound stale, dry and awful to me. Worse than DI.

A mic'd cab with headphones in the mixer sounds nice though.

 

[Dave W]

Sounds like you don't like the sound of your cabinet. They certainly aren't all created equal.

Good headphones sound great too though, I really like mine.

 

[Toptube]

I think it's because a decent set of headphones are fuller across the sound spectrum. Whereas most bass cabs have a frequency gap between what the main speaker covers and what the tweeter covers (if it even has one), these frequencies are often under represented.

Something like a Fearful with an extra mid driver would probably sound more like a good set of headphones.

 

[KJung]

I think it's because a decent set of headphones are fuller across the sound spectrum. Whereas most bass cabs have a frequency gap between what the main speaker covers and what the tweeter covers (if it even has one), these frequencies are often under represented.

Something like a Fearful with an extra mid driver would probably sound more like a good set of headphones.

The OP's primary issue IMO is that most of the Ampeg 410's I've played were incredibly uneven (which does NOT mean they won't sound great for some, but they surely won't sound like a good set of phones, which are designed to be very clean and accurate), with some mostly midrange, and others mostly low end. So, he is comparing (probably) one of the more voiced bass cabs out there to a much more transparent sound reproduction source.

If the OP really likes that clean, low distortion, wide tonality of a set of phones, IMO he has the right head and the wrong cab Most of my rigs sounds reasonably close to the sound I get from my Café Walter headphone amp (very nice) and the BeyerDynamics990's. Not quite as pure, but quite close!

 

[Downunderwonder]

It's nothing a dose of the kool-aid couldn't remedy.

 

[Johnny Crab]

I have a 410 Ampeg cab with GK MB500 and I recently purchased Shure 940 headphones. All I can say is that I can't play through my amp when practicing anymore! The headphones sound 10x better.....but why?

..Am I weird?

THAT is why I got ACME B2's.
Headphones here are SONY MDR 7506.
Modelling gear sounds great in phones and good in FULL RANGE speakers. My "big rig" now is a biamped setup with an 18 sub and mid/horn cabinet on top. Same full range sound with more dB's and authority on the low end.

No, you are not weird OR why be normal.

 

[acmebass]

There are, of course, some cabs made with the express design goal of emulating the low-coloration sound of headphones or studio monitors. I can't think of any right off hand though. Maybe some of the other posters can help.

If you get lucky, you might even find one capable or reproducing the Low B note, as well.

Thanks,
Andy

 

[sandwich5027]

Thx for replies everyone. So, I guess I need a new cab... Now I love tube sound too, I really love that smooth warm jazz sound and my cab def is not providing that. Should I get a new cab 15" and a fender tube 100T or am I wasting more cash? Otherwise jeez i'll just use my amp and headphones since i'm not playing out anymore