Bang for Buck Bi-wiried cables...

Audioquest Mont Blanc (shotgun using two pairs) or Audioquest Gibraltar (shotgun using two pairs) or Tara The One (shotgun using two pairs)...both are usually available on Audiogon. If cost (even used) prohibits dual pair/shotgun configuration, look at Audioquest Volcano or Mont Blanc (more conductors to derive the biwire from) or Tara The One.

Look on ebay for Valab. Bi-wire silver plated copper and made very well. Long break in period and excel the price point by a mile.. They easily replaced a few cables mentioned in this thread. I also have a pair of Morrow SP3's coming. Can't beat the trial period. I have used solid core and stranded cables and have found that the solid core seems to have more of a full midrange. At least on the ones I have tried. If you want super budget go with Anti-cables but I can tell you they don't compare to Valab.
Also, for your buddies system look at picking up a Tripp Lite isolation transformer down the road.

I would strongly recommend CLEAR DAY speaker cables.I just received mine and they sounded great just out of pack and are not even runned in yet.Paul is also an excellent seller who offered 30 days money back trial.

Tiger,

the Clear Day will smooth out nicely after a 100 hrs or so. Paul has done his homework. His choice of wire and dielectric make this cable sound exceptional to me. It has very good bass control and a nice midrange. It doesn't quite have the HF extension as my big $$$ cables but don't take that as meaning they are rolled off. They're not. I think they are an outstanding bargain.

After having the Morrow Audio SP3's in my system for a couple of weeks I would say they are a great sounding speaker cable and not just for the price. They are very accurate IMHO.