Well I'll say cassette quality can never really be good becaise of the slow speed and narrow width. . But 1/4" tape is about the best analog quality you can get (feasibly cost wise) if you go 15 IPS and half track (1 way play, no flipping).
If you want good sound for cassettes you can't beat a Nakamichi deck, best there are.
How does one discuss this with their "friends" who are terminally on X, think RFK jr and Carlson have "a lot of good ideas", and unironically calls anything regarding equality woke? I'm at a loss. And no I don't think the solution is "stop talking to them", that doesn't help us.