I think it's a case of execution against a product strategy and the product offering.
If a company is disciplined in their product strategy and execution they can produce products using a good, better, best offering. Audio Research is pretty disciplined in this approach.
Other companies focus on satisfying customer demand through presenting themselves through as many channels as possible - think of Sony and their presence at Best Buy, Cruchfield, Target, etc.
So I'd be inclined to focus on what the product strategy is versus the price point of the products.