beautyisasleepingcat
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- Apr 4, 2025
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Hi all,
I’ve been thinking about this and wanted to get some insight from the community. If an IEM exhibits near-perfect minimum phase behavior, excellent channel matching, and a well-targeted frequency response (like the 7Hz Salnotes Zero 2), and its primary limitation is limited treble extension, then what exactly justifies the price jump in higher-end IEMs?
From what I understand, if a transducer in an iem is minimum phase, then frequency response essentially defines its perceived sound — assuming distortion and resonances are at a negligible threshold. So in theory, a well-engineered $20 IEM should be functionally equivalent to something far more expensive, aside from bandwidth limits in the upper treble.
I’m aware of the factors that justify high-end headphones (like interaction with the pinna, improved spatial perception, etc.), but IEMs bypass most of that. So I’m wondering: are listeners primarily paying for better treble extension, or are there other measurable or perceptual benefits that justify flagship pricing?
Not trying to be a troll — I’m 14 and still learning. Just trying to understand how much of high-end IEM pricing is science versus perception. Appreciate your thoughts!
I’ve been thinking about this and wanted to get some insight from the community. If an IEM exhibits near-perfect minimum phase behavior, excellent channel matching, and a well-targeted frequency response (like the 7Hz Salnotes Zero 2), and its primary limitation is limited treble extension, then what exactly justifies the price jump in higher-end IEMs?
From what I understand, if a transducer in an iem is minimum phase, then frequency response essentially defines its perceived sound — assuming distortion and resonances are at a negligible threshold. So in theory, a well-engineered $20 IEM should be functionally equivalent to something far more expensive, aside from bandwidth limits in the upper treble.
I’m aware of the factors that justify high-end headphones (like interaction with the pinna, improved spatial perception, etc.), but IEMs bypass most of that. So I’m wondering: are listeners primarily paying for better treble extension, or are there other measurable or perceptual benefits that justify flagship pricing?
Not trying to be a troll — I’m 14 and still learning. Just trying to understand how much of high-end IEM pricing is science versus perception. Appreciate your thoughts!