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.
I think among audiophiles the term “diminishing returns” is more for people who are new to the hobby because when they buy their first mid-fi or hi-fi set coming from Airpods or budget IEMs the jump is massive. Then they jump up another tier and the *wow* factor is gone because it’s only a 10 or 20% increase from what they already had.
Someone who’s been doing this for a long time already knows that improvements are often small and subtle, even if they’re expensive. And it really is true for any hobby. You’ll hear plenty of people in this sub say anyone who buys an expensive amp is stupid because they all sound the same. I and anyone who listen to these things regularly knows that’s not true, but I feel the same way about, say, fancy tires on a car.