cables vs wire?

My experience is very limited, but I have heard a very small difference in a listening test between $7 hardware store wire and a $2,000 pair of cables. In my case, I would be far ahead investing the $1,993 on better components that speaker cables alone. There is the possibility that various cable designs will have some impact on the final sound. After a lot of reading I became convinced that the resistance of the cable was the primary factor in most cases so I use 10 awg cables from Blue Jeans Cable.

I don't hAve the ultimate system and can't imaging speaker wires being the difference between it sounding good or bad. I also think there is more placebo and snake oil in cable designs than science, but there is science as well. It is extremely difficult to distinguish between the two.

I think it is important to distinguish between different and better. Depending on your level of equipment, any money you spend can go towards things like amplifiers, preamps, etc., where I believe you can achieve more objectively real sonic improvements for the dollar. At some level it then comes down to personal preference and small differences that may be improvements.

You really need to figure out your goal for the hobby. There will always be something better out there. I have lost the itch to improve now that my system is at a level where I am never unhappy with its sound. I have heard better systems, but I wasn't unhappy when I returned to my own. I generally buy now out of curiosity rather than a goal to improve.