I do know what cost is on my equipment, that's how I got it so cheap. I was in the home theater business for over 5 years and never paid higher than wholesale. You're not telling us anything we don't already know.

It's like dating a REALLY hot chick.... you know she's probably a stuck up bitch (manufacturer) and her BJ is only worth a hamburger and a milkshake (cost), but you really want that FINE ass (aural pleasure), so you pay for Lobster and Grey Goose ($$$).

 

I was amazed at how much the iPhone earphones are. I saw these ultimate things on Amazon when I was looking for an MP3 player.

The price tag really makes me wonder how much better they can be than your avergage earphones, but not enough to spend the money on them. I guess I just don't enjoy music as much as others.

 

You really can't even begin to understand until you have tried them (or other high end equipment). It's like the difference between driving the S2000 and driving a Ferrari F430. You think the S2000 is fast and fun until you get your hands on the F car... then you can never be satisfied driving the S again.

I promise you it is not a gimmick or anything like that. They really are just that good. If you listen to the occasional one-hit-wonder on the radio, or even just a few songs on your iPod, then they probably aren't for you.... but if you own close to a TB of uncompressed digital music in FLAC format and hundreds of vinyl LP's (like me), then they are absolutely irreplaceable. Most listeners fall somewhere in the middle and would really be surprised at just how good they are. UE's are great, but my personal preference when I'm traveling (the only time I use earphones, because large open-ear cans aren't an option) are my Etymotic ER4's.

 

Big "no" there for me.

Too bad nobody around me is that into it, I would really be interested to hear the difference, but again...$$$

Glad you enjoy them though.

 

if anyone is interested in buying a pair for a discount let me know.
i have one new-in-box left.
it also has a mic to use with your phone.

 

Which model and how much?

 

I was speaking of Sony products in general, not just its audio products. Do the brands you mentioned make nice TVs? Or nice laptops? Et cetera. Sony is a conglomerate electronics brand, not just one focused product. It's true that they don't rule in every product category, but generally, their products are very nice and of good quality. Moreover, Sony is the most respected brand of electronics worldwide. Go to Asia, Europe, Africa, etc. and ask them what they think of Sony, and they'd tell you it's a good brand.

Do the brands you mentioned make a nice TV as my 52" XBR9? Or a nice PS3 as mine? Or a nice laptop as my Vaio FW550F/B? Etc. When they can compete with Sony on many fronts, then we can start to compare. As I've said, they don't focus on just one field. Stay clear away from Sony products? Maybe I should've bought a 52" Grados LCD TV, or a Denon laptop, etc. You get the point.

Regarding my Triplefi earbuds, these are the best earbuds ever, in my experience. Btw, they are not mid-level earbuds, as someone suggested, but high-end earbuds. Sure, they're not the most expensive earphones, but that's only when compared to HEADPHONES, which is like comparing motorcycles to cars. Headphones are big and bulky whereas earbuds can be put in my pockets.

P.S. Samsung is the biggest electronics maker, but Sony is the most respected worldwide. Samsung actually has a bad rep in many countries. The brands you mentioned are not even comparable because they are like pebbles compared to stones , i.e. tiny companies to big conglomerates.

 

Again, I'll have to disagree. If I want a quality TV, I'll buy a Pioneer Kuro. Nice laptop, I'll buy an Apple. Nice cans? Not Sony.

Sorry man. I've done it all and I just don't touch Sony and Bose. I can't argue that they are a well respected conglomerate, but that is largely due to marketing and uninformed users. Sony and Bose each spend more money in marketing every year than most other companies combined.... Bose's motto is "Better sound through research".... more like "Better Sales though marketing". Most of Sony's products fall under that category too. What's funny is that most users will pay $$$$ for a Sony TV off the showroom floor and never hook it up properly, use HD programming, or pay to have the TV properly calibrated. True audiophiles and videophiles will tell you the same.

They are mid-level earbuds when you consider that you can pay $1500 for custom molded UE's that are superior to the ones you purchased. And you can't say "these are the best earbuds ever"... that is IN YOUR EXPERIENCE.. It would be more accurate to say "These are the best ear buds I have ever tried... because my guess is that you haven't tried all of them. And get your terms right, they are earphones or IEMs. Earbuds come with iPods.

 

^ Again, you entirely missed my point. Sony doesn't rule in each respective field, but its products are generally very good in all categories. Again, do those brands make a variety of products like Sony? All of you Sony haters should think beyond the mere surface of each category. Nice Apple laptop? Please! Only if one wants to use Apple OS; the majority of the world doesn't. FYI, the Pioneer Kuro is not a nicer TV than the Sony XBR9, just different - plasma vs. LCD. Btw, Pioneer is killing off the Kuro line because it could no longer compete - financially and in sales.

Who's the first to have developed an OLED television? Sony. Who was a co-developer of Blu-Ray? Sony. Who introduced the CD? Sony. And many more first developments...When there's an excellent variety electronics maker like Sony, then we can start to compare. Right now, the field only consists of Sony, Samsung, LG, Panasonic, and a few others.

Face the fact, Sony rules the electronics world, and people worldwide have agreed. Sony products generally have much better resales than others.

For all of Sony products and achievements throughout the past several decades, read here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony

So stop comparing Sony to the little brands or the brands that only focus on certain products. Sony is like a multi-sport athlete in a world of sports filled with single-sport athletes.

 

Why should I care that Sony makes TV's when I'm buying headphones or a computer from them?