[JxK]

I was recently wondering just why so many budget - and not so budget - IEMs lack a proper strain relief. Some just don't have one period. And of the rest, nearly every IEM probably under $60 doesn't have the cable bonded to the strain relief. Is doing so such a difficult and expensive undertaking? I ask because even the $10 electric shavers available in your local TJ Maxx, as an example, have proper strain reliefs with a bonded cable. In fact, just about every other cheap piece of poorly cobbled together electronic equipment manages to have proper strain reliefs -- except for IEMs.

Is there any good reason, or is it an intentional effort on the part of the manufacturers? As in IEMs are tailor made to break after a predetermined amount of time in order to facilitate more sales? Honestly speaking, it wouldn't really surprise me if it was the case, but I've been known to be overly cynical in the past. Any thoughts headfiers?

 

[Spyro]

I think many are hidden from the inside so you only see the cable hanging out of the housing. Er6i reminds me of this and comes to mind.