Hello,
When it comes to audio/video cables, a good pair of generic $15-$25 pair should work wonderfully. There is so much marketing involved with wire it is acutally overkill.
You want to look for gold plated as gold is a better conductor.
Make sure your optical cable has a fairly thick sheathing to protect the plastic or glass core.
THX certified wires have gone through a rigorous testing and standards process to get the expensive THX certification. Most of these standards you will never hear or see the differences. You just get to pay a higher amount for them knowing that they have met THX's standards.
If you are really interested in finding the right cable, check the stores return policy on returning cables, buy an expensive pair and cheap pair, test them and return the pair that doesn't provided the greatest quality.
That said, I personally like generic brands that feel solid. Thich sheatings to protect the core wires and usually 14 Guage wire for all of my speaker wire. 14 guage gives the greatest bandwidth of speaker wires. And gold plating.
Take Care,
Shawn Mosqueda
WireSmart LLC
If you would like to contact me, click on the profile link below.
In buying video/audio cables for my new HDTV, I was told the "Monster" brand cables were top of the line (and the most expensive). Is this true? Or are there comparable brands of the same quality for less money?

Chowhound
Comic Vine
GameFAQs
GameSpot
Giant Bomb
TechRepublic