Ask HN: What's the reality of 3D printers?

FDM 3D printers range in cost from $100 to $5,000+.

Where is the point beyond which cost does not equate to value or benefits?

It seems to me the limitations of FDM are imposed by the materials and rate of deposition issues far more than the mechanics of the printer. In other words, once you get past cheap and flimsy printers the incremental gains per dollar spent are minimal or non-existent.

Is this true? Is a $5,000 printer 10x better than a $500 printer and 50x better than a $100 printer. If so, how?

Put differently, if you want to do your own small scale production, you could buy 50 printers for $100 each or five for $1,000 each. Ignoring logistics, are the printed results 10x better or better enough to justify going 10x slower with five higher-priced printers?