That's an interesting definition. I think of it as a synonym of "upscale," which refers explicitly to high price but does generally have a connotation of high quality as well.

Probably better to call them luxury headphones. That doesn't carry the same connotation of quality that "high-end" does.

One thing I've learned over the last 10 years in the tech world vs. the last 25 years in it, is that the mainstream (via its marketing catalyst) will override traditionally-held beliefs about the uses of technology and the words used to describe it.

Hence the public talking about "wifi" instead of "wireless ethernet connected to the internet."

The public doesn't know and doesn't respect the world as it was before the products became available which they feel express themselves.

I am/was with you in believing that high price doesn't mean "high-end," but that association has now become useless for communicating with the rest of the world.

The same can be said for the word "decimate." I've given up trying to use it properly and/or correct anyone. It's over. Also using "data" as plural. The world doesn't want a plan, it wants a dream.