mjbphotos
Moderator
There have been studies done between cheap cables and expensive ones. And only in the best possible listening environments and conditions can the best-trained ears tell a difference.
Buying $39 Monster cables is buying into their marketing BS. Sure, 'lifetime guarantee', if you can get Guitar Center to honor it. And there are other less-expensive brands that also offer the same guarantee.
As already said, higher prices for more robustness - more strands (thicker) better shielding, etc. For a typical studio run, wher eyour AI to speakers is under 6 feet, and once in place never moved again, don't kid yourself that $100 worth of cables will give you better sound than $20 of cables.
But to the OP's last point, yes, it makes sense to have the balanced cables there, so that when you do need balanced in the future, you've got them in place already.
Buying $39 Monster cables is buying into their marketing BS. Sure, 'lifetime guarantee', if you can get Guitar Center to honor it. And there are other less-expensive brands that also offer the same guarantee.
As already said, higher prices for more robustness - more strands (thicker) better shielding, etc. For a typical studio run, wher eyour AI to speakers is under 6 feet, and once in place never moved again, don't kid yourself that $100 worth of cables will give you better sound than $20 of cables.
But to the OP's last point, yes, it makes sense to have the balanced cables there, so that when you do need balanced in the future, you've got them in place already.