Can headphones ever be as good as high end stereo?


I am absolutely satisfied with the sounds of my current setup but I feel like I'm unable to listen at the volumes I prefer on a regular basis due to the ole spouse. I've been considering switching over to headphones. By selling my current speakers and amps I could easily finance stax 009 phones and a suitable amp, which seem to be regarded as the pinnacle of headphones.

My question is, what would I be losing or gaining in the switch? Right now my setup emits a beautiful wall of sound and I would hate to give that up. Understand that I have never owned a pair of headphones worth more than 80 bucks so I have no idea what good ones sounds like. Almost all source material would come from a pyon ultima table. Thanks
bfin3

How about Speaker vs IEM vs headphones?

All are high-end models.

btw, jmcgrogan, hope your wife doesn't read your post.

btw, jmcgrogan, hope your wife doesn't read your post.

Why? We've been married for over 32 years now.
Nothing I wrote hasn't been talked about between us.
She is well aware that I do most of my listening when she is not around, and she appreciates that.

I should emphasize the fact that top earphones need a top dedicated earphone amp...the results are stunning.  Plugging earphones into jacks with afterthought headphone circuits just don't work nearly as well.
I liked my headphone (HD800) much more than my previous speakers until I got my current speakers. I don't think the best headphone can't beat really good speakers in terms of the whole listening experience, but headphone can probably be more enjoyable than mediocre speakers.
I believe that high quality sound can be achieved at lower cost with headphones mated to a quality amp, however this experience is no substitute for the 'speaker' experience. I have no need for headphones in my dedicated audio room. At my bedside my headphone system prevails.