There are lots of things that not everyone can afford, that's the way of the world. Anyone selling is free to set whatever price they think is fair. If the thing sells obviously the price was right.
Maybe some people here on HeadFi are just so used to buying and selling without end, that SE being unsellable (due to cessation of ownership tranfer) is really more upsetting than the price itself, as it means they would need to keep it for years.
Anyway, related to track record mentioned earlier.. I am soon moving into my eighth year with SE3ref, which is hands down my best head-fi purchase. It has served me well through numerous dacs and amps, on planes, mowing the lawn, at work, and in other situations where isolation is a blessing. And the sound itself still appeals to me, after having been through numerous earbuds, inears and headphones.
It hasn't been all rosy, though. One year in mine (like several other's) developed a connection problem. I was offered a remould to upgrade from original fixed to current detachable cable, at my expense, or just get a regular warranty repair keeping the fixed cable. At that time more head-fi'ers locally were getting this connection problem, so it seemed wiser to get the detachable cable remould. This increased total purchasing costs with one third.
Over years the outer layer of lacquer started to peel, eventually it looked too scruffy, so I contacted SE, and was offered a re-lacquering. Much to my surprise (with the remould experience in mind) this was done FOC, and the inears were shipped back to me in a PeliCase.
Inquiring about a cable with smaller footprint for the right-angle minijack (to fit otterbox cut-out) also resulted in me getting from SE exactly the cable/plug I needed.
I have to say that I always found Gzregorz knowledgable, helpful and well articulated in all my email-dealings with him. I wasn't happy about the way the connection problem was dealt with, however subsequent service has been top notch.
€5750 is a lot of money, I agree. With a life span of 7-10 years that's €825/575 a year. How much do those complaining about the price spend a year on inears/headphones anyway?
I can't afford SE6 (or SE5 for that matter), but having lived with SE3 this long, I would love to hear one or both of them, just to experience what magic Gzregorz has been able to achieve.