It’s strange how HE 1 feels not worth it despite many of us spending more money on things we use less. Car enthusiasts here on the higher end of the hobby have similar sentiments: of a car collection, at least one costs far more than the headphones and sits with the battery disconnected. Yet HE 1 feels more wasteful.

I obviously don’t think this applies to most people here, but I’ve seen several comment that they could purchase HE 1– except it doesn’t seem worthwhile. Hifiman’s Shangri-La [Sr] feels like the highest point non-billionaires should consider, but on its face that makes little sense. Perhaps it’s the opulence of HE 1’s materials, which feel less functional?