Agree with the Koni sentiment - they are pretty much the only company to produce a frequency selective variable damping shocker and perhaps their wild claims of total reliability backed up with a lifetime warranty have bitten them well and truly.
What do you get by paying more? Better materials and/or finish - we're talking full stainless bodies or better plating and painting. Better R&D which will have been done in-house as opposed to being licensed out to a cheaper manufacturer. Longer warranty meaning that the manufacturer stands by their quality (although I can't see lifetime warranties being offered now).
As to being more of a gamble, it's not a gamble I'm willing to take. Perhaps these companies have made their mark on the cheap end of the market from owners who want a certain look and then want to move on to another car pretty soon? As someone who intends never parting with their A2, I'll be putting the 'best' on Tank, so there's no risk of buy cheap, buy twice.