Considering people outside of very major worldwide cities can’t just demo an expensive amp… how do you take the plunge? For example, I have some (basic, I know) HD6XX’s . To be honest, they don’t sound all that amazing powered by an iPhone, PC or Schitt Amp. Is it just sunken cost that gets people to buy more and more expensive amps and headphones until it either sounds better or you’re so deep that you can’t back out?
I really got into it when I got a used pair of Blessing 2 dusks for $215. I did try out hd600 and focal elex later on, but honestly the b2d’s detail retrieval is so much better for me that it was hard to imagine why the headphones were hyped up so much. Yeah headphones can be more comfortable (but honestly the b2d’s aren’t that bad) and the headphones provide that soundstage effect and tonality that can give better immersion. However, headphones generally only have one driver while IEMs have a combo of various drivers that can allow for better detail, as far as I’ve experienced it. That detail is what justified the $ to me.