Minus the costs of R&D and advertising...most high end cables would be similarly priced as the "budget" ones.
The Physics of Electricity
Can anyone explain clearly in either common parlance or technical terms the difference between a $1,000.00 cable and/or speaker wire versus a $20.00 (or so) one? What does wire "do" in an expensive cable/wire that an inexpensive cable/wire does not? Does it conduct more or "better" electricity?