I get that IEMs are a great option under a 150 bucks and also convenient for traveling, I own two pairs myself and they are decent. But I’ve tried two open back headphones now and they both eclipse the IEMs in a way that can definitely not be replicated by IEMs. The sound is really “outside your head” and airy, whereas IEMs sound exactly like you’d expect them to sound. Often they can’t even get omnidirectional imaging right and have blobs, and soundstage is very constrained.
So, why are there people spending tons of money on ©hifi IEMs when they only listen to them at home anyways?
Many reasons. 1st of all who told you they are using them at “home anyways”? Maybe they use them while commuting, in the office, while traveling, cycling, gym, whatever.
Also even at home, I cannot imagine not laying down in bed with earphones immersed in the music. Absolutely atrocious to wear a huge open back headphones making me very uncomfortable on the pillow. IEMS OBLITERATE full size headphones with that alone, no competition whatsoever. Also they are much lighter and can be worn for longer periods ergonomy wise, and I actually even enjoy the additional isolation even while at home vs open back headphones, it gives me even more “intimate” and that private feeling while listening to music. Not exactly living in a countryside, so there is always some sort of noise even with windows closed.
Anyways, those are just a few reasons why there is not even competition, IEMS b very far superior for me