Is that really true though? From what I gather Beats are a step up from most headphones non-audiophiles traditionally use, and generally on par with headphones

Is that really true though? From what I gather Beats are a step up from most headphones non-audiophiles traditionally use, and generally on par with headphones of around 80 bucks. Which is definitely better than kind of earbuds/headphones I and most people tend(ed) to buy who don't really think about this kind of stuff. I think the comparison with Apple makes sense, looking at it that way. As a 'technophile' I used to pay more for my laptop (Dell, at that point) than most people around me. They would work on really crappy laptops, curse how slow or loud or hot they were, but stick with them and not spend a premium on something better. Apple changed that, and made it 'fashionable' to spend a bit more to get, at the very least, a mid-range laptop. Those who did get one understood the benefits after the fact. Beats are similar. They might not be 'great' to audiophiles, or worth their money, relatively, but for many people they are the first experience of, at least, decent sound.