Forgive my incredulity, but isn't there a point at which size and form matter? I have a hard time believing that any IEM, no matter how revolutionary its engineering, could sound enough better than the IEMs in the $200 range to justify a $600 price tag. The only way the sound could justify the expense is if you're the kind of suggestible person for whom an audio placebo effect causes more expensive equipment to sound better. And if you are that kind of person, then it's a shame these only cost $600, because if they cost $1,200, they would probably sound twice as good.
JustinKalmWhat is the most expensive IEM you have heard? And with what source equipment? And what quality source material? Try a more expensive setup sometime and then come back and report.
JustinKalmAs everything, it depends, and diminishing returns law applies as well.
My first expensive earphones were the Shure846. I got them at special price of AU$600 almost 3 years ago. In 2018-2019 I collected earphones with prices between $10 to $1000. Assuming that we are compering the earphones using the same sources and equipment, I can say this:
Shure SE846 are the best. Much better than the Massdrop x Empire Ears Zeus Universal that cost me twice as much. Even when using balanced cable to a balanced source (Sony NW-ZX300). Also the Cardas EM5813 (~$200) sound better than the Empire Zeus.
Zeus sounds better than BGVP DMG and DM6 using good equipment such as with a Mojo amp, but the BGVP sound the same than the Zeus using just iPhone 6 or S8.
Zeus and Shure846 sound better than the Venture Electronic Monk Plus ($12). Do they sound 40-80 times better, the answer is NO. Also higher price does not guaranty better sound, but my Shure846 Au$600 earphones are better than any sub $600 that I have tried.
JustinKalmEver heard of. The "Ooooohhhh, Japanese quality and cool materials geek factor" its a thing, and uh... Yeah thats why I'm broke. If it dont float your boat, fair. If you dont want to pay for that, also fair. If you think its going to make a massive difference in sound quality, jokes on you. Although I have heard the baby brother of these and they do sound quite good. These JVC's (in this form factor) have great tuning and I love them.