Many years ago, "despite" being fresh out of college, I landed what at the time was for me my dream job --- being a salesman at the one hifi shop that had long held wonder. I just knew it was my destiny to guide buyers (not shoppers, BUYERS) into better hifi. All they needed was a little help from someone who knew the way.
Anyone want to guess the reality, and why Iverson's "Here's how it works ..." depiction is similarly too naiive?
This is the real formula for getting people to acquire finer sound:
1) Prospective buyers need better sound demonstrated --- they must witness it and agree it sounds better.
2) Prospective buyers must care, or care enough, about better sound.
The mass market clientele is challenged by one or both of the above. We know money's not the issue --- look at all the other stuff they buy.
Jon, your otherwise fine piece assumes #2 isn't an issue, but in my experience it in fact looms larger than customers are willing to admit. The mass market would BE in the high end if that many people really cared.