When browsing this subreddit, you often come across that phrase, diminishing returns.

I’m German, English is my second language, and there isn’t really a German phrase for this concept that would be on everyone’s mind when talking about this concept like ‘diminishing returns’ seems to be.

It’s a really neat concept and is true for so many hobbies, or things one can buy in general, but it is also ultra subjective, isn’t it?

Like, if someone has a 2000$ headphone but doesn’t really like it, and then spends 4000$ on one that they do like - does objective performance matter? I think the difference between the 2 could be 5%, but if it’s 5% in the right direction, they make the difference between selling it or keeping it and being happy.

I think there are people out there who don’t really shop in the 2-digit price category, or even 3-digit one, only 4 and above, for whatever reason - but they just wouldn’t be happy with a 500$ headphone, knowing that there is better stuff out there if you just spend the money.

I don’t really have a point, I just got a bit philosophical about that phrase I guess.

  • Rogue-ArchitectB
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    1 year ago

    I have never heard this before but it is what I have been trying to verbalize for so long. It was like the difference between the Ananda/Edition XS and the Arya for me. The first two were so impressive and really a nice step up from what I previously had, the DT990, but when I tried the Arya it just felt so much more complete that I truly let myself get lost in the music. It’s not that the other two weren’t amazing or extremely similar even, it was just that last couple percent changed everything for me.

    • wagningerOPB
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      1 year ago

      YES, that’s where I’m at… high level of objective quality, but something that I can’t quite put my finger on is missing, and at that point, I’ll only get more gear if i heard it first.