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.
It definitely comes into play with pretty much any “gear” related hobby, from headphones and speakers, to musical instrument gear, to making a car go faster. Guitar players spend tons of money trying to get that little extra something special in their sound.
It’s unfortunate from a few angles. 1) you spend less time enjoying the stuff that is already plenty good, instead fretting about how it could be better, researching, reading, and otherwise not doing the hobby that one claims to be so interested in. 2) it’s a big waste of money. Some people have a lot of money, but tons of people over extend themselves financially on their hobbies, for increasingly minor ‘improvements’. 3) it can feed a consumerist and elitist mindset in other areas on one’s life. If I’m so discerning about hobby x, then I must be very smart and have great taste, and will need to spend a lot of money in other stuff too.
Diminishing returns is most tangible to me with music instruments, of which I’m most familiar with guitar gear and synthesizer. Everyone Really knows that actually practicing / recording / sing writing is the most important thing to “sounding good”, but it’s a lot easier to obsess about how to spend another $200 or $2,000 and Then I’ll finally feel comfortable and actually write a song.
It’s a little less obviously dumb with headphones, but just listen to music. I know a ton of people on here use AirPods more than anything else because they are convenient and sound fine.
Something you outlined very eloquently in your second-to-last paragraph is how that oh-so-slippery-slope feels to lose your footing on.
It’s like a constant drive to keep one-upping yourself, even when you can’t afford it, and even when what you have is perfectly fine. I love music. Researching headphones feels more like a compulsion.
I believe “ignorance is bliss” applies as soon as sound quality enters the chat… and quickly goes out the window thereafter if you’re not careful!!
Yep… I would tell my 18-year old self, don’t listen to those Stax headphones that are 100x of what you can afford
Yeah, when someone puts on my headphones and just says “neat, but I don’t really hear a difference”, I’m almost envious 😄
I don’t buy many things, but when I get into something, I don’t start at the bottom to see what I like because the gear is always part of the fun
Dude, with musical instruments it is so strong!
Specially as a lot of new manufacturers entered the scene!
Sire is making 500€ basses that play as well as old 1.5k€ Fenders! You’re paying for the history mostly now, with traditional brands!
I agree, I have had many cheap guitars and expensive, and the difference, at least in terms of playability and sound, isn’t that much.