Thanks .. but that's a bit the problem. I perfectly understand that a properly made thing, balanced, tune whatever is more pricey. But how do you spot that difference when you're in the market to buy one? So yes ... I can do nothing but read reviews. But they, too, mean nothing .. because what's good to person A is crap to person B .. depending on where they come from, taste etc .... I mean even intra comparisons of the same review across the years are difficult to understand ... is a thing made 10 years ago with a rating of 9 of 10 better than a current make with 7 of 10? Or are even two of the same year comparable? Is a 7/10 high end one better than a 10/10 cheap one? It's so very, very confusing ....
I think I was in a similar situation you are now and you are right: You can do nothing but read reviews, unless you actually try the IEMs.
The IEMs in this thread are great in the regard that they are cheap and good, so since I could afford it, from time to time I tried one of the "hot ones" and checked my preferences, though my aim was going for a more expensive one as my actual goal here was testing if chi-fi could actually deliver before moving to more expensive items (Spoiler: Yes, chi-fi delivers). So I bought like 4 IEMs and they all were good and I didn't feel like I wasted my money on something unworthy even if I didn't like it.
So for what it is worth, my greatest hit and my greatest miss were two IEMs, one was one of the banned ones, the other one the highly regarded TRN V80. The banned ones are great, suit my music and taste, I like them more than my previous 70€ well known earphones and they were like 40 euros. Yet the TRN V80 sounded very good the price and were very comfortable, but just not for me as I found the treble to sound like "artificial", "mechanic". If you look at reviews from both items, you are bound to see comparison between them, adding the TinAudio T2 in there along the BQEYZ, so how come two of the top IEMs as per the reviews gave me such differentiated opinions? Because the reviews are just another guy's view, as you say. Still, the experience was great, gave me new light comparing two products of similar price side by side and hey, it was fun! If you can do the same, I encourage you to go for it.
Regarding the 7/10 on an expensive IEM being a superior product than a 10/10 cheap one or a 10/10 old one worse than a 7/10 new one, that is a topic that is interesting and applicable beyond audio reviews. For me, I rather know the reviewer (as in his previous reviews and his considerations). For example, the one from youtube "Bad Guy Good Audio Reviews" makes (or used to make as he seems to only unbox these days) very clear comments on how something is great
for the price and how something expensive is just way above though implying a way lower price/quality ratio. As well, knowing the reviewer may give you more data on how to take his words if you own any of the products he reviewed and you compare your thoughts to his/her, then apply that comparison on the rest.
