There used to be something called "brand loyalty". Everyone knew that if you wanted a nice TV, you bought a Sony. Even their tagline was "It's a Sony." for years. If you wanted a good blank tape, you bought Maxell or TDK. You knew that Pioneer, Marantz, Nakamichi and Sansui were top names in audio and you saved and saved to invest in a nice system. You also bought them in stores that specialized in audio and would let you test what you wanted to buy. Now it seems no one cares. The majority buys their headphones from whatever Wal-Mart offers at the lowest price. The headphones break in a month and they go right back and buy the same no-name brand again. After three pairs they could have spent that amount once on a name brand pair that would not only be built betterand last, but most likely sound better, too. I've seen those USB turntables at Staples.. an office supply store. How does that make any sense?
With so many "green" young people, they should really think about were their cell phones end up when they ditch them in a month for the next new piece of crap that only has slightly better features than their last one. The companies plan it that way to appeal to the least common denominator. Sadly, most consumers now fall into this category.
I'm done ranting. I could go on for hours on this topic. My apologies if I offended anyone. I just tells it like I sees it.