"高{たか}くっても" vs. "高くとも"、"低{ひく}くっても" vs. "低くとも", etc. usage?


I'm really confused about the meanings of these two similar adjective
inflections:  
高い ---> 高くっても  
高い ---> 高くとも

難{むずか}しい ---> 難しくっても  
難しい ---> 難しくとも

"っても" might possibly be less formal(? because of the "っ"), but I known that
there is a fundamental difference in _meaning_. And, I don't understand. What
are some example usage sentences that contrast the meanings, as well as a good
explanation in English? thanks.




The only difference is in the degree of formality expressed, not in the
meaning as OP appears to have learned somewhere.

In the order of formality: 高くとも、高くても and 高くっても.

To speak of the meanings, there are TWO meanings in each form.

1) "Even though (something) is high, tall or expensive"

2) "At the highest, tallest, most expensive" It indicates the possible maximum
height or price.

Example sentences:

1) 「Aブランドのラーメンはおいしいので、[高]{たか}くてもつい[買]{か}ってしまうね。」 つい = without meaning to

2) 「高くても[千円]{せんえん}[出]{だ}せばこの[町]{まち}のほとんどのレストランでお[昼]{ひる}が[食]{た}べられるよ。」 お昼 =
lunch

EDIT: I think I now know what OP means by "fundamental difference in meaning".
An older book or a strict grammarian might say that only とも should be used for
meaning #2 above. In the real Japanese-speaking world of the 21st century,
however, ても is probably used more often than とも in informal speech for #2.




The only difference is in the degree of formality expressed, not in the
meaning as OP appears to have learned somewhere.

In the order of formality: 高くとも、高くても and 高くっても.

To speak of the meanings, there are TWO meanings in each form.

1) "Even though (something) is high, tall or expensive"

2) "At the highest, tallest, most expensive" It indicates the possible maximum
height or price.

Example sentences:

1) 「Aブランドのラーメンはおいしいので、[高]{たか}くてもつい[買]{か}ってしまうね。」 つい = without meaning to

2) 「高くても[千円]{せんえん}[出]{だ}せばこの[町]{まち}のほとんどのレストランでお[昼]{ひる}が[食]{た}べられるよ。」 お昼 =
lunch

EDIT: I think I now know what OP means by "fundamental difference in meaning".
An older book or a strict grammarian might say that only とも should be used for
meaning #2 above. In the real Japanese-speaking world of the 21st century,
however, ても is probably used more often than とも in informal speech for #2.

