Basically, I’m semi-deaf, constant ringing in the ears, so pretty much anything and everything I use would be considered mid-range, but I want to get into the more technical side of audiophile equipment, but I have zero clue how, or what brands are considered a safe bet for a noob.
My response would be no different even if it were someone with better hearing.
When choosing high-end audio gear, always rely on your own hearing and test different setups with music you know well, since what sounds good is personal. Also, getting tips from audiophile user groups forums, checking the warranty and customer service, and knowing how your room affects sound are key to making a good choice.
I don’t really think my opinion on what sounds good is correct even if it’s just an opinion, I have cheap ~$20 speakers and I think they sound really good, but…it’s a $20 speaker there’s no way it’s objectively good. I definitely will check out the other stuff, though.