Since it seems like you're teaming with an electronics person to provide a complete solution all ready to go, I don't think it is a waste of time at all. I've always felt that AKG actives is an example of if you build it, they will come.
yeah, that was where I was headed with my quip about the venture capitalist and the project manager. One person to sign commercial contracts for orders, manage sales, etc, and one person to fund the initial push.
I think there is enough pent up demand (overall,
not just here) for 20-30 pairs up front, and you could probably move upwards of 75 pairs
over 12 months. Those are numbers that are approaching benefit in having stuff machined. The problem is few people want to assuming the financial risk to have everything machined and built only to move less than 75% of them right off. Pre-orders won't move them, it's something that a bunch will pick up, if they work well and people talk about them, the rest will get sold over a year or so. I'd be surprised at more than 100 sets though (assuming 2 per set for a stereo pair). Thats why I said everyone should pick up 2 sets (so 4 total), cause if anything happens and one gets crushed in a wook stampede, it's probably a one-time deal. Second, that makes that initial risk lower and thus increases the odds they get made.
Last, there are folks here, Jon included, who have proven that a boutique shop can make it, but it requires hunting for other markets (whether it be GS, other niche hobby communities, etc). Thats why I said you could move upwards of 75, but they won't all go here.