Speaker Cable

• Speaker cable is used to connect the amplifier or receiver to your speakers. Standard speaker cable has two separate strands of wire separated by plastic housing. One strand is used to connect the positive terminals of your speaker and amplifier and the other is for connecting the negative terminals. Usually one side is marked to help you distinguish, but as long as you connect positive to positive and negative to negative, you'll be OK.
  
  

Size

• Speaker cable comes in a variety of sizes, as indicated by the American Wire Gauge (AWG). Gauge is actually an inverse measurement, as larger gauge relates to smaller wire. Smaller gauge wire (larger size) is capable of carrying audio information more efficiently and can help to provide a better sound. This is particularly true in lengthy cable runs (200 feet or more) in which the resistance of the wire can diminish the audio signal being transmitted. A good gauge for a home stereo is 12 to 16. Speaker cable also comes in different styles for different applications: flat, under-carpet cable and in-wall cable are two common examples.
  
  

Biwire/Triwire

• Many speakers come with capability for bi or tri wiring. Rather than containing simple positive and negative terminals, they contain separate terminals for different frequencies. For instance, a bi-wirable speaker has terminals for high frequency positive, high frequency negative, low frequency positive and low frequency negative. This allows dedicated wires for specific frequencies and can enhance the sound of your speakers. Specific wires are available with the appropriate number of strands, or you could use additional segments of standard speaker wire for bi and tri wiring.
  
  

Audio Input Cable

• The second type of cable or wire that you'll need to finish hooking up your system is audio input cable, which connects your audio input sources (CD player, MP3 player, TV and so on) to your receiver or preamplifier. Cables are available in analog or digital.
  Analog RCA cables contain two separate wires, usually one red and one white, that connect the analog outputs of your audio source with the inputs of your preamplifier. Digital cable can be coax, which corresponds with the orange output/input, or optical cable which uses light to transmit your signal. Digital cables can often provide superior sound because they transmit the digital signal that sources such as CDs and DVDs produce. Be sure that you check the outputs of your source(s) and the inputs of your preamplifier to ascertain that they are compatible with the same digital cable. If possible, choose an optical cable because it produces the strongest signal with the least interference and can provide the best sound.
  
  

Qualities

• Although cables are pretty simple, a couple of qualities can be used to define them. The material used in the wire should provide proper conductivity so that the signal is efficiently transmitted. Oxygen-free copper is a standard for reliable conductivity. Wires should also be shielded to protect from outside electrical interference that can interrupt or diminish your audio signal. Audio input cables and some speaker cables have connectors that allow you to securely connect the cable to each device. These are often gold plated to provide better conductivity. They should also be sturdy and provide a snug fit and stable, secure connection. Speaker wire can also be connected directly without connectors.
  
  

Price/Performance

• There is much hot debate in the audio world about how much of a difference expensive audio cable makes on your sound. Speaker cable can come in an inexpensive spool or can cost thousands of dollars per meter. Consider the quality of your system when picking out cables; if you have a cheap entry-level system, cheaper wires should do. However, if you have large power-hungry speakers and expensive components, you should purchase better quality cables. While you don't want to get the cheapest, thinnest wire possible, it won't necessarily pay to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars either. Determine a budget for cable ahead of time and purchase accordingly. Don't feel like you have to buy the most expensive cables that you find because they might not make much of a difference to you anyway. Start of with a good spool of 12 or 14 gauge speaker cable that will cost about $30 to $100 for 50 feet and standard audio input cable that you can buy for $5 to $20. You could always experiment with upgraded cables later to see if they make a difference.