I recently learnt about Hi-fi audio and the audiophile community in general. Felt like I should try out something entry-level in this spectrum. I bought the following two things IEM and DAC

However, I feel I’m unable to truly appreciate the difference. Yes it sounds ‘better’ in some vague sense of the word but I can’t articulate how the sound is different from regular headphones (I have the sony XM4 and other crappy earphones).

I’d really appreciate it if someone gave me a way to really start appreciating and enjoying these devices. Maybe a popular song that amplifies the difference? Or maybe a specific detail that I should look for that I’ll find in Hi-fi gear but not in regular headphones?

Looks like I still have no clue what it means to be an audiophile :)

Please help.

  • QualityAgitated6800@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    11 months ago

    So you’re comparing a $30 dollar IEM vs $300 headphone and you say it sounds somehow better. I think that’s more than enough appreciation lol.

    Btw if you want to upgrade always put all the money on the IEM, your DAC is endgame, pricier ones will not sound better.

  • Kutaifa@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    11 months ago

    Listen to them for a good while and then switch back and notice the difference. Switching constantly wont have the same effect

  • dongas420@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    11 months ago

    I went and compared a bunch of my gear to make my own technicality test playlist.

    Anyway, you should temper your expectations for $30 IEMs and be very skeptical of audiophile hype trains. No manufacturer is going to leave money on the table by charging that little for an IEM they know sounds high-end given how absurdly deep people’s pockets go in audio land, although you should be warned that many of them do overestimate their products’ quality and overcharge.

    • guyWithTheFaceTatto@alien.topOPBEnglish
      1·
      11 months ago

      A playlist like this is exactly what I was looking for to conduct experiments. Thanks!

      And I totally get what you’re saying. Especially when it’s very hard for an average listener to tell the difference, it can be easy to manipulate people into paying a premium with no real upgrade in experience. Happens all the time with everything from paintings, stocks and even wine.

  • Billy__k@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    11 months ago

    Just listen to them exclusively for a week or so, then try your old headphones and see if you still find it difficult to hear the differences.