When browsing this subreddit, you often come across that phrase, diminishing returns.
I’m German, English is my second language, and there isn’t really a German phrase for this concept that would be on everyone’s mind when talking about this concept like ‘diminishing returns’ seems to be.
It’s a really neat concept and is true for so many hobbies, or things one can buy in general, but it is also ultra subjective, isn’t it?
Like, if someone has a 2000$ headphone but doesn’t really like it, and then spends 4000$ on one that they do like - does objective performance matter? I think the difference between the 2 could be 5%, but if it’s 5% in the right direction, they make the difference between selling it or keeping it and being happy.
I think there are people out there who don’t really shop in the 2-digit price category, or even 3-digit one, only 4 and above, for whatever reason - but they just wouldn’t be happy with a 500$ headphone, knowing that there is better stuff out there if you just spend the money.
I don’t really have a point, I just got a bit philosophical about that phrase I guess.
It’s only subjective because people use it wrong to suit their own preferred narrative. People will say something like “diminishing returns kick in after $500.” But that’s not really true. Returns start to diminish immediately. It’s a curve. $10 are infinitely better than not having headphones. $50 headphones are much better than the $10. $100 headphones are better than the $50. $250 headphones are better than $50. This continues on all the way up the ladder. It’s up to you to decide where the price premium for the next step up is no longer worth it to you.