I'd most certainly argue with that statement. The HD-650 was definitely a leading headphone before the HD-800 came along, as were the HD-580 and HD-600 before that. And AKG was definitely making top tier headphones with the K340, K501 and later K701. The K1000 was and continues to be ground breaking. Sony, Audio-Technica, Grado, and Stax probably sold less volume than Senn., AKG and Beyer.
The fact that you might not care for the above mentioned headphones does not make them any less of a marketable success.
P.S.
If I thought I could get away with it, I'd most definitely name my business 'Ebony Erections Audio'. Yes I just noticed that.