What are the cost of components for high end earbuds? My observations, assumptions and questions. Please correct me where I'm wrong:
Cable - cables can cost over $100 but like the monster cable there's really not much difference between a $10 silver coated cable and a $100 cable aside from aesthetics, etc.
Shell - generic earbud plastic shell cost around $1.
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/DIY-ear-ear-PK1-2-3-4-shell-cavity-fever-ears-headphones-hifi-headphones-bass-PK/323026_32348950463.html
Custom injection molding costs much more and requires a big production run to get the per unit cost down. With 3D printing, custom plastic shells can be created for 10x the cost of mass produced is my guesstimate.
Sound dampening material - for tuning, less than $1 per earbud?
Driver - the most important component. Very good single dynamic drivers cost $10 or less.
In high end earbuds specialty drivers are used. Do makers of high end DIY earbuds design and manufacture their own drivers?
Manufacturing - in low quantities, the cost must be significant.
Tuning and design - perhaps the most important attribute and difficult to put quantify in terms of cost.
Resistors and Capacitors - I'm not sure if used in earbuds.
Manufacturing - the cost for low volume custom /DIY it must be high relative to component cost. But for DIY projects there is no "cost" because building the earbud is actually fun, hence this thread.
