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 it just comes down to the individual. At the end of the day, it'll be your money. For some people, a $300-$400 has 99% quality of a 700-1000+ headset. They could even go to $5000 headphones but it's still only a 1% improvement to them. At that point, that's simply diminishing returns and that money spent could be spent elsewhere in life or other hobbies. You can "know" there's better stuff out there, but you can also convince yourself that it's barely noticeable or it's really just something you don't need. You can instead use that money on other enjoyable things in life. It's kinda all mental at the end of the day once you hit a point where your ears might not actually be hearing better anymore and your brain takes over telling you there's better.