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For the price of the ckm99 you could buy several copies of the Philips, which would surely last longer than one CKM99. But for me the reverse has been the case--my $200 IEMs broke in less than half the time I've used the $10 Philips...
Also I disagree about the relationship between lightness and housing quality (or lack thereof). The Etys are even lighter than the Philips, but that's probably because they use even tinier BA drivers (while the Philips drivers are small in their own right). Also when I tap the housing it makes a dull clicking sound, much like the Ety housing. Plastic is a less resonant material than metal anyway--ever see a bell made out of plastic?
pay for one that lasts a while or pay for a 10 and swap them when they break (contrary to the prices the OP stated, the cmk99 goes for $100-120 frequently)...I didn't say one option was better than another. He simply asked why people would spend more. Some people have a sound sig they have settled on and want to make a single purchase and not worry about it for a while. I don't really fall into that camp...I mean, you are talking to a guy that bought the Philips. If I was in that camp I wouldn't read this thread much less make a purchase based on it. As far as how long they last...$$ doesn't always equal good build quality. The hippo VBs did not have great build quality. Seems the Monster products don't either. You don't ALWAYS get what you pay for, there are exceptions to every rule. I have only had 1 set of IEMs actually break on me and that was the vsonic R02 I think, but I baby mine. I keep them in metal tins and only use stuff like the Philips when doing potentially damaging activities like yardwork etc.
lightness is not the only reason for that statement, also price. There are many light materials that are insanely strong...but you also pay a premium for them I am making an assumption that for that price the manufacturer didnt use anything stronger than the standard plastics. And yes, I have at least 3 plastic bells on my Christmas tree
I am not saying that the Philips are not great values. Please don't take the Hyundai comparison as a slight. Hyundai is a quality company making cars that are a significant value but suffer from the substandard impression that has come from previous years and flooding the market with a wide array of products. They represent the value that Honda used to be when they first came off the boats. I am enjoying the Philips and they are actually going to be my go-to for introducing people to decent sound, but please don't try and act like that cable isn't like something on a pair of 1980s walkman headphones. I personally won't pay over $100 for any set anymore...but lets not act like the Philips, or any set for that matter, is the only set people should consider and there there is no longer a market or reason for IEMS over $30.
I spent a few minutes typing all of that so I am still going to post it but I realized all I am doing is stating the same opinion many people do when a FOTM or new product in general hits the head-fi market. Dsnuts has brought us some gems for sure and it is much appreciated, but the threads are often wrought with hyperbole based on short term impressions and the thrill of a good value. Time usually shows that the impressions settle some. They go out of stock and the bargain hunting locusts that we are swarm on to the next one. Its fun and cheaper than taking up golf.
