https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/27/earprints-and-ai-independent-audio-companies-innovate-to-compete-with.html

Whether its an established brand or a start-up, independent makers of headphones and speakers have a big challenge pushing their products in a crowded marketplace.

Major tech companies like Apple and Amazon can manufacture and sell audio products cheap, because they are such a small fraction of their overall product revenues. For instance, Amazon made its Echo Dot available for $34.99 on its annual Prime Day this month. Separately, Apple’s EarPods are free with an iPhone; the next pair costs only around $30.