Law of Diminishing Returns in IEMS?

[wafflesaudio]

I've been a long time lurker on this board, mostly because I did not have much to contribute since I have not tried many earphones and own even less. The best IEM I have right now is the DUNU DN-1000, which I have had for 2 years now and I think its time for an upgrade. The main concern I have is where is the point or cutoff where the Price/SQ ratio becomes "not worth it?" I know that everyone's opinion of value is rather subjective however some input, even personal, would still be informative. I used to believe that earphones within $50 were enough and used IEMS. It wasn't until I tried the DN-1000 that I was blown away by the great difference in SQ. Problem is, when upgrading from $200 to $400-500 IEMs, would I experience that same feeling? Is there that big of a difference? I know many will suggest me to try high-end IEMS at a nearby stores or dealers but unfortunately that is not possible where I live or I would be creating this thread.
 
I think it is important to note that although I love music and can tell differences in SQ, my ears aren't as good at distinguishing them. Not a good audiophile. For example, I have compared the DN-1000 to various earphones from Apple earpods, to Bose QC20s, or RHA T10s. (top of my head) and yes I could tell a difference. However exactly what the issues and strengths were for each one, I could not figure it. It was only until read it from someone else's impressions would I go "OH YEA, that's what it was!" 
 
And I will be honest, with even closer quality earphones with the DN-1000, such as the ATH-CKR10 I couldn't really tell a difference. Again, it was only until I read the strengths and drawbacks of the CKR10 and listened carefully after did I notice them. My ears aren't that good. *sniff*
 
So, again, if I could notice a difference between $50 and $200 earphones, would I also be blown away when going to $400 or $500 IEMs? Would the law of diminishing returns create a situation where I would be disappointed with the SQ after having the DN-1000?
 
By the way, I was considering the between the Shure 535, Westone UM PRO 30, and W40. If you guys have better ideas for IEMS in those price range that would be great too.
 
Sorry for the wall of text.

 

[1TrickPony]

just my 2cents: 
 
what makes you crave more beyond having a Dunu Dn1000? Start from there. There are plenty of good choices. Just make sure it ticks the boxes that I enjoy the most...the rest well...gets tricky.

 

[wafflesaudio]

  just my 2cents: 
 
what makes you crave more beyond having a Dunu Dn1000? Start from there. There are plenty of good choices. Just make sure it ticks the boxes that I enjoy the most...the rest well...gets tricky.

There's quite a few reasons. Although most of them are really justifiable. The two main reasons are first, the DN-1000 for me personally, is not really comfortable for long listening sessions and the second reason is that I really really love music and want to have the best sound quality I can have without me going broke. I have the chance to upgrade to a "higher tier" of earphones right now and I would like to. I am just afraid, that with my "sub-par" ears that $400 is not going to be "better" than my DN-1000

 

[1TrickPony]

So far, the best value I've ever seen was found at ~149$ (give or take) championed by the Zen 2.0 earbuds. You just need to match it properly with the right gear. Aside the Zen earbud...there are plenty of good value portable iems/bud/oems.

It's gonna require a little reading to find what you'd like once you figure what you really want the most.

edit: they come with accessories to help with fit...including hooks which I found super comfy if that may help. Natural sounding and just well done/balanced. Hope this helps. Feel free to read up the reviews.

 

[serman005]

  There's quite a few reasons. Although most of them are really justifiable. The two main reasons are first, the DN-1000 for me personally, is not really comfortable for long listening sessions and the second reason is that I really really love music and want to have the best sound quality I can have without me going broke. I have the chance to upgrade to a "higher tier" of earphones right now and I would like to. I am just afraid, that with my "sub-par" ears that $400 is not going to be "better" than my DN-1000

I would just urge you to do your research and then get some input from other head-fiers. That should ensure that you have a good buying experience.

 

[wafflesaudio]

  So far, the best value I've ever seen was found at ~149$ (give or take) championed by the Zen 2.0 earbuds. You just need to match it properly with the right gear. Aside the Zen earbud...there are plenty of good value portable iems/bud/oems.

It's gonna require a little reading to find what you'd like once you figure what you really want the most.

edit: they come with accessories to help with fit...including hooks which I found super comfy if that may help. Natural sounding and just well done/balanced. Hope this helps. Feel free to read up the reviews.

Thanks!

 

[1TrickPony]

  Thanks!

So just you know, I've owned the Dn2000 for a good while as well. I was just amazed as to what the Zen 2.0 can do for the price tag. Perhaps the only small detail that I missed from my dunu is the very slight sweetness in the vocals (just a tad small bit vs. Zen 2.0). Everything else...well...you just get sucked in because it is an immersing experience. YMMV. Remember to read up on the requirements in pumping the juice for that earbud. Good luck.

 

[wafflesaudio]

  So just you know, I've owned the Dn2000 for a good while as well. I was just amazed as to what the Zen 2.0 can do for the price tag. Perhaps the only small detail that I missed from my dunu is the very slight sweetness in the vocals (just a tad small bit vs. Zen 2.0). Everything else...well...you just get sucked in because it is an immersing experience. YMMV. Remember to read up on the requirements in pumping the juice for that earbud. Good luck.

That's actually great to know. The Zen 2.0 actually looks interesting. My biggest concern was always comfort and tbh I think my favorite IEM strictly in terms of comfort would be the Bose qc20s. Omg those eartips are so comfortable. If the Zen 2.0 is anywhere near that I would consider them.

 

[1TrickPony]

  That's actually great to know. The Zen 2.0 actually looks interesting. My biggest concern was always comfort and tbh I think my favorite IEM strictly in terms of comfort would be the Bose qc20s. Omg those eartips are so comfortable. If the Zen 2.0 is anywhere near that I would consider them.

well I'll leave you to it. Ask people in the dedicated thread, and you have all the proper input and reviews that's available to you.

 

[wafflesaudio]

Yea, once again, thanks.

 

[buke9]

There's quite a few reasons. Although most of them are really justifiable. The two main reasons are first, the DN-1000 for me personally, is not really comfortable for long listening sessions and the second reason is that I really really love music and want to have the best sound quality I can have without me going broke. I have the chance to upgrade to a "higher tier" of earphones right now and I would like to. I am just afraid, that with my "sub-par" ears that $400 is not going to be "better" than my DN-1000

You are afraid that your sub par ears might not hear the difference in $400 earphones. You are already telling yourself that you will not. So don't spend the money as you are telling yourself that whatever it is is not worth it. There is no such thing as diminishing returns it is how much pain your willing to take. No one can say this or that is 3x better than that . It is up to the listener and their willingness to listen to something that is not as good as what they have listened to that was better and decided it is not worth spending more for the better sound. You can not say diminishing returns unless you have heard the better unit and think the lesser unit you can live with and think they are worth the price versus the higher priced unit. I'll stop my rant here just hate the term diminishing returns.

 

[wafflesaudio]

You are afraid that your sub par ears might not hear the difference in $400 earphones. You are already telling yourself that you will not. So don't spend the money as you are telling yourself that whatever it is is not worth it. There is no such thing as diminishing returns it is how much pain your willing to take. No one can say this or that is 3x better than that . It is up to the listener and their willingness to listen to something that is not as good as what they have listened to that was better and decided it is not worth spending more for the better sound. You can not say diminishing returns unless you have heard the better unit and think the lesser unit you can live with and think they are worth the price versus the higher priced unit. I'll stop my rant here just hate the term diminishing returns.

You give a fair point and I'll put that into consideration if whether I'm willing to purchase new IEMs. I do wish I had dealers where I live that allowed me to test out those higher end IEMs. I can only read impressions and reviews as to what they would like.

 

[smy1]

just my 2cents: 

what makes you crave more beyond having a Dunu Dn1000? Start from there. There are plenty of good choices. Just make sure it ticks the boxes that I enjoy the most...the rest well...gets tricky.

I totally understand why he loves his dunu, I have a pair and those were my first iem that wows me

I went from dunu dn 1000 to the im03 and the vocals were little bit better. You can try the flc8s and might hear some differences like I did with my im03.

 

[buke9]

You give a fair point and I'll put that into consideration if whether I'm willing to purchase new IEMs. I do wish I had dealers where I live that allowed me to test out those higher end IEMs. I can only read impressions and reviews as to what they would like.

The is no substitute for hearing yourself that is for sure but hard to do . I'm just outside of Louisville KY and there is no where to hear much at all that is why I take a drive to go to meets so worth it. Went to CanJam SoCal last year and going back in April there is almost too much to listen to but great fun. All the high end Iem makers are there my favorite bar none was Empire Ears Zeus super good but very expensive no doubt. Sorry about my little rant wasn't aimed at you just hate that term that's all. Good luck finding what is best for you at a good price.

 

[PL4Y3R 0N3]

I'm not really sure if it is your ears that are the problem. You said you could hear the difference but couldn't name it until you read the reviews? Sounds like you are just like me and suck at describing sound.
For example, when going from the ma750 to the Meze 99 Classics I could absolutely tell a difference. Better detail all around, much better sound stage, better mids, but I couldn't tell you what either one sounds like for the life of me even if I had a gun to the back of my head. I can definitely HEAR the difference, but I couldn't tell you really what it was. With a lot of reading and listening it's getting better, but you'll never see me write a review (like ever).
So I would just tell you to take a little time and listen to all of your headphones. Don't focus on specific differences but on the overall sound, and see if you can tell the difference between them. See which ones you like the best and which ones you've grown away from, which sound more fun and which sound "cloudy", chances are you will be able to tell the difference.
As for all of diminishing returns, you will have to decide for yourself how much you want to spend. You are the only one who can decide that.