I've never believed much in cables, that said... (USB)

@andy>
I was wondering the reason audio grade cables are so expensive


simple.

you have likely noticed performance often equates to its cost to purchase.

not always is the what ever item littered or filled with unobtaininum or can'taffordiumn.

ala, AQ Carbon USB. PSA PC. as others stated, Synergistic entry PC.

Micro Pearl RCA ICs are one of mine. previously $60. to improve upon it took a Cardas pair of Neutral Ref RCA used at $250.

Over achievers are what we seek as they possess immense value to performance ratios.

wire makers are like any other maker. the price tag is based on performance predominately and not necessarily its contents and development, though these are undeniable expenses.

it would make no good business sense for me or a few of us to formulate and construct a component which rivals 'destination' equipment and sell it like its stolen.

competition breeds pricing which is always going to be determined by its performance predominately. making costs and research expenses are inescapable yet are overcome with again, competitively pricing
the item so sales become driven by sheer popular demand mostly, or are priced at levels which have an allure or have acquired extraordinary desirability fuled by lots of positive marketing and glowing accounts from user experiences.

there are any number of ancillary other attributes which justify retail pricing, e.g., maker's rep, upgradability, locale, etc..

A major caveat to all of this will be the pace with which technology is advancing in the components associated genre, analog, digital, tube poewr, digital power, speaker designs, evolution in chemistry and metalurgy, etc.

often whiz bang digital to analog converter shelf life is of late, more truncated than are tube amps, or turntables for example

this hobby revolves around subjective anecdotal or self diagnosed appraisals gained merely from the end user's own experiences.

the horse that pulls along the cart of experience is slowed or halted by the resources and level of dedication and determination the one holding the reigns possesses.

there is an enormous number of items out there, how many, how long, and how regularly does one jump in the pool of curious change to investigate them is your choice alone.

enjoy the adventure to the extent you can

I’m another who thought cables couldn’t possibly make a difference. That was until my first entry-level separates system way back in 1998. To this day, I still metaphorically scratch my head with the question "How is this possible?"

Having briefly headed up the cables chain to a pair of Morrow Audio MA4s (pre 2018 design) @ GDP £320 (1.5m; RCA - RCA; Pure Harmony plugs), I decided to explore cheaper alternatives. Atlas Equators OCC came next @ £130 and, overall, I preferred them to the MA4s, the latter sounding toppy by comparison. However, just a few weeks ago, I learnt of Mark Grant Cables, did a bit of digging, and decided to give a pair of HDX1s a try. Very very impressive and for less than half the price of the Equators.

The HDX1s have stayed in my system. Much as my head continues to say "...there can’t be any difference...", I did an A-B-C with all three and there were definite differences in the tonal and sound stage characteristics of all three. I’m not arguing one is "better" than another, merely "different" with the outcome being a matter of preference.

One day, I hope to be in a position to try one or two cables from the nose-bleed arena just to see / hear "what if?" (e.g.Audience; Transparent).  However, that might just require a lottery win...

Happy listening all, wherever your budget is.

Another variable to consider is what type of cables and xover components being used in the speakers.  If you have some cheap speakers with cheap internal and xover components then well your speaker cables probably won't make much difference.  Don't be surprised if your speakers (even those costing 10K or more) use some cheap electrolytic capacitors for the xovers.