I guess that R&D on this spike system costed stern a lot plus i saw an video an couple of weeks ago from the stern HQ with the whole assembly team gathered to cheer for gary his bday and hear out what the top guy had to say, dont you think that those people cost a fortune all together each month? Not to mention that all their resources and parts making cost them quite a lot too.. It seems like they are overpriced but im not really sure about that. When u take all costs aspects together, that being said i think stern is really thriving the last couple of years. And their latest Kiss is an absolute success for them, go stern go!