Headphones

[warpig3]

Why are headphones marked L and R, does it make a difference if you put them in the wrong ear, does each ear 'hear' differently?

Just wondering.

Warpig

[stoofur]

Or if you are playing a computer game. You would want stuff which is to the left of you to hear it in your left ear.

[warpig3]

What? Running backwards!!!!! only joking. Cant say I am famaliar with that particular track but will check it out and try both ways.

I was thinking it was to do with the brains perception of things in that the right hand side is slighty in advance of the left (i think) timewise. Perhaps I think too much!

[warpig3]

Ah, I see stoofur, that makes sense.

[jake-the-peg]

Or if you're into classical music an orchestra is traditionally arranged in a certain way and for example having strings appear from the wrong direct will upset some people

[warpig3]

Ok JTP, I have been known to listen to a little classical music and can appreciate that to the more refined ear the arrangement is very important. Alas, musically, I have shown myself to be the philistine that I really am. Just as well really because my eyesight is so bad I can barely see the L and R marks on my headphones, hence 50% of the time they are always wrong!

many thanks everyone.

[stoofur]

I also have the headphones where the strap goes round the back of the head. If I was to wear them the wrong way around I would not be able to see where I am walking!!

[warpig3]

Those are probably the kind I should be wearing stoofur

[heathfield]

They have much the same problem over ''Reft'' and ''Light'' in Japan!

[Mortartube]

The reasons stated above are all valid, but also some headphones are ergonomically designed to fit the head and are uncomfortable worn the other way around unless you have a peanut shaped head.