Can con 3 (Sydney,Australia meet) - Jan 12th 2013 - 9:30am-6:30pm, Epping. - Page 11

Another day perhaps. I would have loved to compare the Tralucent with even full sized headphones for that matter if the 'as much detail as the HD800s' is to be believed and the reviews so far have been very positive. I trust the experienced reviewers on the thread (some of whom you wouldn't call first adopters of the CIEM). If I recall correctly were you not one of the first ones on the thread - I thought you were interested in purchasing the earlier versions that were around $800 intro price? I believe you heard the older versions - did you get one in the end? Tell me do you believe Sennheiser are trying to recoup market/advertising/R&D costs from their HD800 or is that price justified unlike the 1P2 (leave alone the fact that one is an IEM and the other a full sized can)? Surely by now Tralucent are somewhat established..have shown excellent customer service, seems to have listened to customer feedback and produced a new version, no additional selection of products but cables and an inexpensive amplifier to boot, being reviewed relatively by trustworthy ears and not fanboys. 

Some pay more for IEMs since they feel that these are more comfortable and provide better isolation than any closed can/open headphone will. We each justify the price some way lol. The term expensive/overpriced is a relative term. Some say the HD800s are the best headphones in the world while others don't. Surely once you begin including price comparisons before putting these items side by side and testing - is that not a portion of expectation bias whereby you may be thinking beforehand that the cheaper alternative would be fantastic if it can do 90% of what the other is offering. Of course the adverse is also possible. Don't see the reason to single out Tralucent price and compare directly to Rhapsodio here...... Lots of companies have jacked up prices following improvements and as introductory period closes. I guess it isn't well established company to be doing that sort of stuff? Not that I am defending any companies for doing so...Tralucent included. But why no mention of any of these companies (perhaps one or two may be at the meet).

I believe the price increase on their second versions have been in their opinions justified (well from what I read anyway) and it is up to us as the customer to decide whether or not we wish to pay that much. From what I've heard on the originals and what some trusted reviews (IMO) have said so far - I don't mind spending the money and I believe it will work out for me in the end. We are all in the same game of getting most out of audio for what we are willing to spend. And it's great you found some cheaper alternatives. That's great! It is up to your ears at the end of the day. Expectation bias begone! But keep in mind I didn't purchase these because of advertising/marketing or lack thereof from what I observed. Purely from discussions via PM and that thread in particular and comments from ears that I have now begun to trust. I'm not so easily swayed with the flavour of the month. I doubt that they are duping us with the upgrades. 

Heck even some consider the HE-6 unnecessarily expensive considering its little brother the HE-500 does a stand up job already for the price (I still want one nonetheless and am willing to pay whatever I need to supplement the headphones in their performance). Some say the LCD-3 is not worth that much over an LCD-2. Some say the Stig likes....ahh what were we talking about again. Very much relative unfortunately. But it is your prerogative as a consumer to consider the expenses of a product. Completely, understandable. And if we are keeping things objective, it also doesn't mean that the 1P2 automatically sounds twice as good as those Rhapsodios you mentioned even though sound is more a qualititative term than a quantitative one in this subjective world and a relationship between price and sonic quality has yet to be established (and possibly can never be) although it can somewhat be extrapolated based on a user's personal experience with previous equipment purchases. (and breathe).

And if Rhapsodio was indeed their direct competitor as you say then wouldn't that be reason enough for them to show their face so they can show them up. Just a bit odd that you single out Tralucent and then mention their supposedly direct competitor. Only until I started reading the Rhapsodio thread did I become aware that there are some things happening in the background that I'd rather avoid. I don't want to get involved with this.

That said you are one of the first adopters of Rhapsodio products and if you are oblivious or perhaps immune to any form of marketing, don't have 1.5K growing from trees (I do), and enjoy the sound then by all means haha. Anyways I don't mind a chance to listen to the Rhapsodios however. Would be interesting to see regardless of all these internal problems...call me a disinterested third party but I am excited to see how Tralucent grows.