Apple is high quality. You're trying to make it sound cynical and flimsy, but it's not. It's consistent demonstrated high quality.
Of course it is. But so is Sennheiser. People pay for the quality of Apple, but it's only part of the equation.
I don't know that. I have Apple stuff already (like most people) and know it's high quality. Trying Sennheiser is taking a risk for me. I'd pay to not take that risk.
Exactly. That's the whole point of a brand.
If the alternative is a day spent comparison shopping and researching, then an overage of $200 is actually pretty reasonable, as opportunity costs go.