Ppl go crazy with any type of hobby, it consumes them and they get into a “problem” of collecting, and develop obsession with any topic they get into.

However, more than a single pair is normal. For example I have one full size open back headphones for enjoying music at home, one high end iems for listening on the go and in bed, and one semi-wireless for gym and cycling cos of convenience that I use with smartphone. Over 3 pairs for different purposes and I can genuinely see no point, but as I said, ppl get consumed by the hobby and that is true for any hobby pretty much.

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

Audio does not go into purchasing decision, using phone only with bluetooth earphones (Sony WC310) for workouts and cycling for the convenience.

As for more serious listening or longer sessions, I use dedicated DAP and wired Sennheiser IE80, it’s 1st gen FiiO X3 that still performs like day 1 after 8 years. Due to some sort of magic battery is still going strong.

As for phone went with Motorola ThinkPhone. Literally dream phone, clean stock Android, insanely well built with IP68 and even MIL-STD-810H standard, extremely fast due to SD8+ Gen 1, and display is probably the best I have ever seen. Not as bright as latest iPhone or Galaxy, but colors are straight up more natural and accurate.

I bought Sennheiser IE80 8 yeas ago. They still work like absolutely new to this day, and they do sound better than any sub 50$ chi fi that I have ever heard. They have seen some abuse also, gym use with sweat, cycling use, commute, etc - absolutely like new after 8 years of torture, and they sound better.

I think now looking at these 8 years that 300$ was cheap as fk, even tho it was like half the salary at the time.