The sub 200$ IEM market is just flooded with so many options that it's nearly impossible to decide on an IEM. Even when you narrow it down your sound preferences you have minimum 10 options with slight variations between each other. For example, some fit your sound preferences but have large nozzles which causes discomfort (Zero: Red). The IE200s are extremely comfortable but it took so much of effort from tape mod, tip rolling and cable change to be worth it. On the sound aspect, we have planars, single DD, hybrids (DD + BAs) with each of them tuned very similarly with some differences in technical performances and overall characteristics. Some of them does bass + mid well but lack in treble others do the opposite. The 7Hz Timeless does everything good enough but timbre does sound unnatural in certain tracks.
Do we have too many options with IEMs now that it causing choice overload? How do you typically decide on IEMs if you don't have the option to demo them before buying?
You absolutely should try them before you buy. Unless your local hifi-dealer is a bit of a pusher, and uses phrases like "delightful sound", and "this step up in price is worth it in audio quality". Then maybe have them shipped with a return-option. And then test them out (preferably with different sources), without any pressure.
I'm not entirely sure it's worth it to pick a "relatively good+" IEM now, though. Or, if you buy something that is made for a phone(or that should also sound good on a small amp) anyway, odds are that you could get a better and lighter design, that would sound pretty much the same, and cost less than half. That's really where the market has changed - tons of really good IEMs exist, but they're generally all made for that same segment. So perhaps you should consider spending some of that extra money on a custom IEM with an ear-mold piece, or something like that instead.
Unless you have a nice dac and a good playback source, and you go .. by now.. and shop for discontinued higher Ohm IEMs, in what is still a very overpriced segment. There are some nice sets out there. But to be completely honest - I don't think it's worth it. Get those cheaper earbuds that actually fit and are comfy to wear, and then get a good headset or something instead.