I have witnessed that in real life a few times. I went into a dyed-in-the-wool snob boutique a couple times. The only thing you could get in there for under a grand would be some accessories or "tweaks". Inevitably a customer walks in asking for a killer stereo on a $500 budget. And then, there is the inevitable stereo conversation with 3 guys. Guy #1: "I have some von sweikerts and..." Guy #2: "I have some Joseph Audio and..." Guy #3: "Dude! You should hear my Bose am-5's!!! They are sooo clear!"