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I've wondered this as well. Isn't it true that besides Sony and one other company, all the drivers for IEM's are made by a single company (OEM - original equipment manufacturer). This is true in digital cameras too where even Leica's digital camera is being powered by a Kodak image sensor (IIRC). How many different ways could put a driver inside a tiny IEM? How many different ways could you carve and mold the piece? It still has to fit in your ear. At least with the camera analogy there are other factors at play that make a huge difference like the software, the lens, housing shape and material, extra accessories. But, in IEM's, it's really just the IEM's. You can argue the cables too but whatever. So why are there so many manufacturers and models and why do we think they sound so much different?
it's because they are tuned to sound differently. and even if they are just that - iems, they are also kinda complex and need to be thoroughly researched and developed to get the desired sound. the oem parts that they are based of are just that - basic parts that are developed in different directions to comply with different market needs. take sony for example. I'm nt sure, but I suspect that their new xb90ex and ex1000 share the same driver (not only because they are the same size) but as owners of said iems say, they sound really different. what I want to say is that it's not the basic elements that dictates the price, it's how they are implemented in the final product that makes the difference.
also, mind you that some high priced iems are manufactured not in china, but japan, or germany for example. labor costs much more there, so this is also a point to consider. every product is like that, not only iems. the thing that iems are physically small doesn't mean that they are easy to make or are not a result of long research and development...
I don't want to sound like an ass.
But gtfo if you got nothing useful to say.
may I remind you this post:
So basically.. It's just that? Even the cheapest IEM can isolate just as much as expensive ones?
I've said smth useful in that post - isolation isn't the only thing iems are supposed to do. heck, some of them don't isolate at all, but they are considered one of the best iems (JVC fx700). reading from your posts, it seems like you attribute a big portion of the price of iem to how well they isolate. well, you are wrong. also, as someone already said it, the question is too general - why do some iems cost more than others? come on, why do some cars cost more than others? you know the answer already, right?it's the same for everything i this world - it's because they are better in what they do - sound good, look good, are comfortable to wear, last longer and so on... I didn't mean to be disrespectful but I still maintain that this thread is not very useful, not for me, not for you and not for the forum in general. also, GTFO isn't the most polite way to reply to someone you don't know, right?
