And in response to previous posts as well . . .
So, I think the masses are particularly clueless and for most a name like Bose and $100 is a big deal. It's sort of like the idea that America is a democracy and our government works for the people. A brief jaunt into common-sense land would convince anyone otherwise, but no one is making the trip.
As an example, a good friend of mine uses as his main audio component a $120 JVC receiver I gave him 12 years ago because I bought a better one for my bathroom. I have astounded him with Grado/Ultrasone/Senn headphones, amps, and top-notch IEMS, which he always seems to appreciate. But, alas, he will never, I'm convinced, buy anything other than what is on an endcap for $14. He and his wife also bought a 46" HD television only to change the aspect to a regular 1980s set--I tried, god knows, I tried. One day, he will announce triumphantly that he bought a pair of Bose somethings and I will be happy for him. They do sound better than what he has, better than what comes with an iPod, and better than anything else he will probably ever buy. For that matter, I think I would be happy with him if he bought Skullcandy, though it would kill me to do it myself.
We are elite in the sense that we are knowledgable and care enough to seek out what does sound better to us. Most people never will. Senns sound like crap to me, but I appreciate that a lot of people hear something great in those cans. It would be hard to explain how I love Ultrasone 900s, AKG 702s, and UE TripleFi 10s as my goto set, but it is. I've heard all kinds of inconsistent opinions about what other folks prefer, though. And I disagree wholeheartedly with a lot things I read hear, but it's nice to know what others think.
Not sure what I'm trying to say other than a few people other than the people on this forum might take notice of an article like that, but I'll lay a crisp $1 that not too many will. Nothing wrong with that. Artists and producers, however, need to get there **** together and start producing music that sounds better. Am I right?