The Truth about Speaker Cables?

What we think we know about speaker cables and what the debates are about them.
Speaker Cables are probably the topic most over-debated topic in the Audio Kingdom
So why would we stick our necks out inviting "flames" by both the true believers and skeptics? Uh, cause we're sick of people asking maybe?
1) Wire Gauge - Using too high a gauge (remember with wire gauge "high" means "scrawnier") is bad.
Why?
Wastes power - excess resistance is converted to heat (not very green of you)
Sounds worse (if you go too far) - This is certainly Speaker/Amp/Length dependant - smaller, less current hungry speakers can get by with less. Shorter wires can get by with less. (wire gauge is debated by both true believers and skeptics)
2) Capacitance?
Capacitance is not a factor normally at normal distances with most equipment.
Too high capacitance can cause stability problems with some rare amp/speaker combinations. (Capacitance is debated by some, but generally because of confusion about analog line level capacitance issues)
3) Inductance?
Inductance can possibly effect the signal in a non-linear fashion in the audio frequency spectrum (effecting the high frequency response) with some combinations of cable, amp and speakers. Actual Audibility is questionable. (inductance is debated by both true believers and skeptics)
4) Dielectric? - Better lasts longer*. A better dielectric can also effect capacitance and inductance values. While the dielectric should not have an audible effect in the audible spectrum itself, it can have an effect at very high frequencies (well above signal frequencies) and can have an effect on longevity of cables maintaining ideal characteristics due to oxidation and dielectric degradation over time. Basically, PVC is not generally as long lasting, PE and teflon will last longer, but cost more. *Quality of manufacturing is the key here - a poorly made, (loosely adhered on copper) teflon cable will not last as long as a well made PVC, etc. (there are extreme debates by both true believers and skeptics over dielectrics)
5) Conductor - Copper is fine for speaker cables, "Oxygen free" is often overrated especially with poor dielectrics - oxygen free, but not for long. Silver or silver plated is a hotly debated topic but not likely to be a factor at this frequency range. Stranded or solid? Solid has more conductivity per gauge but is inflexible and easier to damage. (conductors are hotly debated by both true believers and skeptics)
6) Cable Geometry - Cable geometry will effect both capacitance and inductance of the cable. Some geometries will give low capacitance and high inductance while others will have low inductance and high capacitance. It is hard to make a cable with low capacitance and low inductance. Unless you have a situation with amp/speaker combination that requires low capacitance, a lower inductance cable could be considered preferable. Cable geometry and dielectric both have effects here, but the frequency range must be taken into account. Audibility is highly in question in most situations. Cable Geometry also effects noise rejection of all types. Twisted pairs, quad twists or other braided geometries may cancel out some noise and can be preferable to non twisted cables. (cable geometry is hotly debated by both true believers and skeptics)
7) Connectors - Good, solid connectors properly attached will last longer and be less problematic. Connector choice is amp and speaker dependant. Bananas are very easy to use. Spades have higher contact surface for the best possible current flow. Pins have low contcat area so less current flow is possible. With bare wire, the connections quality is variable. Sometimes the best connector is none. Usually not. The best way to pick a connector is by its overall durability and projected longevity.
Crimped vs Soldered - Properly crimped is normally superior to soldering, depending on type of crimp and materials involved. Crimped or soldered superiority is most often dependant on the quality of the crimp or solder job.
(connectors are only slightly debated by both true believers and skeptics, except possible sound quality debates)
Conclusion
A well made speaker cable will last for many years. The best cable for you depends on your needs and price considerations. Connectors are a matter of convenience and longevity. With good cable and connectors you can truely plug and play them for the foreseeable future. Most people will be perfectly justified in getting some sufficient guage zip cord or something similar, especially if they change their wire fairly often.


Speaker cable redux
While there is quite a bit of anectdotal evidence for hearing the difference in Loudspeaker cables, most scientific double blind A/B testing has not had positive results for the audibility of speaker cable differences. There have been papers presented to the AES (Audio Engineering Society) and reviews on various websites and magazines using more or less plausible methodologies for testing with generally firm results that while differences can be measured, they are of a very small scale in comparison to other system, component and auditory sensitivity factors and are, very likely inaudible, or possibly very barely audible to some very, very acute listeners. I'd like to say I'm one, but I've checked this out a bit. Everything from around 14-15KHz and up for me is "sensed" rather than heard as a "tone". High frequencies are more for your brains computation abilities for "location" and "surroundings" than for musical sensibilities like tone and harmonics, even when harmonics travel in this range - the brain probably mates them up well with the same location lower frequencies, but in areas of "air" or blank space, the high frequencies that are sensed, but not heard as tones are probably used in a more"bat like" way for location and surrounding objects information queues.

So, what the hell am I getting at? Sorry, first I must digress (as usual).
Measured effects of LCR components (Inductance/Capacitance/Resistence) as well as phase, frequency response and distortion from speaker cables is very low once put into a scale of dB (decibels) or % (weighted or unweighted) so much so that it is hard to beleive in any typical listening test that would reliably result in positive heard difference results. On theotherhand, making sureyourbrain is getting all of those cueues (clues?) about directionality and space is a goodthing, andprobably necessarry for the ultimate audio expereince of yoursystem
OK, for a really nice amp and speaker connection, spending a little bit more for a low inductance speaker cable is worth it depending on the price, your equipment, and your "well healedness" factor. Yes, I'd spend $xx.xx for a cable to acheive "x" kind of thing. If you don't beleive in the whole "air" and "space" descriptive analysis of speakers and such, and listen to mp3's or low rez music, or have a somewhat crappy system, zip cord is better. If you like the "air" and "space" thing, then get some cables that can be flatter at 20KHz or more.
Here's an example article from AudioExpress.com