More of a matter of wrong product target market, even by blackstar themselves.
Every single product of theirs cost more than the competitor's offering, even their modeling amps costs way more.
Beginners won't buy them because have no ear for tone yet.
Those who have ear for tone would probably go for tube amps anyway, and blackstar 'tube' amps are either not really 'tubes' or costs too much compared to the competition.
Leaving their solidstate/modeling amps, which is still priced too much compared to established players like VOX and Roland.
Even with 50 percent discount, the models are still considered more expensive, as their 15 watt solid state ID (True Valve Power) series amp cost in the same ball park as a vox VT40+/VT30 series amp.
The Blackstar Fly Mini 3 is the biggest joke, no matter how good the tone, such a small box simply cannot compete with a micro cube. It's not cheap either at over rm 300.
This sort of mini amp isn't on par with the micro cube. It's more in the Marshall MS4 category, so I think a reasonable price is rm 250, not over rm 300, which you might as well get a used micro cube or top up a bit for a vox mini amp.
I've always seen them as the poor mans metal amp, surprised you say they cost a lot.
i think part of the reason they didnt do too well is the metal craze died down and ultimate music