Don't know if this is the answer the OP is looking for. However, FWIW, in my experience over the last 50+ years or so, solid build quality (i.e. reliability & longevity) and the best sound quality I can afford (i.e. willing to pay for) are always my top priorities. I always start with the headset of how much it's going to cost me to get something that sounds demonstrably better than what I have and then start demoing products around that price point. Once I've established what I think is best within that price point, I then start demoing stuff at slightly and sometimes much higher price points to see/hear how much the extra dough will buy me. I've virtually never stayed within whatever budget I've started with at any given time. Once you reach a certain point in building a system, the costs for demonstrably improved sound quality become exponential.