If not an enthusiast, is it a waste?

[pennstac]

For most people, it’s a balance between dollars and their perceived value. As Hamlet says, “ah that’s the rub”

First value WHEN? Use cases!!! If this is FOR THE GYM, then there will be clear limits. If it’s MOBILE, there are others. If it’s to SHUT OUT THE WORLD another.

Assuming no special use cases, then as I’ve pointed out before, the 80/20 and 95/5 rules apply. So if you think that a $500 headphone is super awesome, $100 will get you 80% of the way there.

This old thread is instructive on how to think about things - and is strongly reccomended when giving advice to someone who is not yet an audiophile but dosn’t have tin ears .

The 95% Solutions

You are probably familiar with the 80-20 rule. 20% of X represents 80% of your you name it. 20% of internetters represent 80% of flames 20% of clients represent 80% of profits. And so on Slightly less known is the 95-5 rule. You can get 95% of what you want with relative ease. The last 5% is what costs - or is difficult. The other day, I was listening and reflecting that I had a very nice 95% setup, and it made me satisfied with the price/performance. Digital source - iPhone streaming Tid…

P.S. 20% of the guys got to 80% of the girls in high school.