I was researching this very topic a while ago.
It can get SO ridiculous that there are companies making kits containing 2 8 foot copper cables selling for $1800.00 US. & I just found out you can spend $24,000.00 Canadian for a kit with 2 10 foot cables - gold - no, platinum - no. They are COPPER! mind you that's 99.999999999% pure of course. Then if that's not enough they recommend wrapping the cables with leather strips soaked in a dampening fluid (snake oil?)& finally if you are not satisfied you can purchase lttle X shaped holders to keep them off the floor!!!

Honestly speaking a good 14 or 12 guage wire is all you need-14 guage for up to 20-25ft & 12 guage for longer runs. About 30-80 cents a foot

I also believe putting the wire straight into the speaker terminals without banana or other type plugs will serve you well. Howver again if you want to spend money on gold plated ends or gold connectors that's your business.

I would like to see a realistic (that is a human ear range) study done complete with converted to human ear capablilties on the difference between $35,000.00 dollars to hook up 2 decent affordable speakers to the average decent affordable amp/recvr, versus $20.00. Maybe Mr. Lucas et al could lend us the Skywalker Ranch & labs for a week & we might be able to measure a realistic difference with a computer that can measure in parts per trillions.
Sorry if I went off a bit but I don't like snake oil salesmen! Some of my good friends have been ripped off in this way.
Dougofthenorth (now simmering down)