The geometry of a cable is a big determining factor in how a cable will sound, but a complex geometry doesn't mean it's better sounding than a simple geometry. Oftentimes, these complex geometries measure worse than the simple ones.
Like most things in audio, it's about system synergy and listener's preference. No two systems/rooms are alike, so there's NO perfect component nor cable in audio regardless of how exotic the geometry or materials are! Add salt to a bland dish then it's right, add it to a salty dish then it's wrong, that's why we hear praise and insult for the same component all the time. Somehow we keep spending more and more thinking the higher price cable will be better.
As for the high price of cables in general, a lot of the cost is the labor, especially for the hand-built and custom made ones. Boutique connectors are also very expensive, much more than the conductors, dielectric, fillers, and dress up materials. Then there is the cost of R&D which varies greatly amongst companies. And then there is rent, employees, marketing, etc. that most businesses endure. All of these costs add up pretty quickly.
Like most things in audio, it's about system synergy and listener's preference. No two systems/rooms are alike, so there's NO perfect component nor cable in audio regardless of how exotic the geometry or materials are! Add salt to a bland dish then it's right, add it to a salty dish then it's wrong, that's why we hear praise and insult for the same component all the time. Somehow we keep spending more and more thinking the higher price cable will be better.
As for the high price of cables in general, a lot of the cost is the labor, especially for the hand-built and custom made ones. Boutique connectors are also very expensive, much more than the conductors, dielectric, fillers, and dress up materials. Then there is the cost of R&D which varies greatly amongst companies. And then there is rent, employees, marketing, etc. that most businesses endure. All of these costs add up pretty quickly.