20 years ago, the "standard" model seemed to be retail price at roughly 5X or 6X the manufacturing cost, even for the hi end. Now it seems like 20X is the new norm.
I don't know about that. What I do know is that some manufacturers don't even bother with manufacturing cost and a multiplier, they just go for whatever they think the market will bear. That was the gist of JA's editorial, IIRC.
I don't see how a bigger multiplier is a problem, in a different market. If fewer and fewer are buying your product, that is one (valid) choice. Charge more for each product, so you pay your suppliers, recover R&D costs, pay good salaries to your employees, pay taxes (duh) and perhaps have a few $$ left.
The challenge then is on to other manufacturers to pick up the slack, and work on getting less expensive products, that sound (almost?) as good, for less money. And fortunately, there's always a good number of those around.