Do speaker cables really make a difference ?

For me: 99.9% Pure single strand OCC Copper in a PTFE sleeve with a textile jacket. Nothing less and nothing more and it doesn't cost $1K per foot......Jim

They (and other cables) make a huge difference. Forget the "science"; what matters is, can you hear it or not. If you can, it's important. If you can't, it's not important.

It's been my experience in some 15+ years of hardcore effort electronics development that I can in fact hear nearly everything. Could probably count on 1 hand the areas where could not.

That said, I can heartily recommend Audience. Their Morre treatment really does change the conduction (can hear it) and simply put, nothing else gets out of the way of the music like Audience. Certainly not at the price point at least, likely safe to say. Audience have been kind enough to Morre treat several parts for me (inductors, caps) and lots of excellent chassis wire, which I use exclusively lately to outstanding effect.

My pals and I had been using AU24sx generally already. Hard to beat that for bang for the buck IMO. Then I was impressed enough with Audience Front Row (and Morre treated XO-M caps) that I asked for dealership status and was kindly granted.

I completely concur and agree 100% with this review: https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/equipment-menu/963

If it interests you, feel free to reach out. TK tekaudiospecialties1@gmail.com www.tekaudiospecialties.com

I second the solid core wire. Even better is magnet wire. Insulation is the key. Stored energy in the insulation (dielectric constant) is the issue. 

From Electromec

"UNWANTED ENERGY STORAGE IN CABLES – DIELECTRIC CONSTANT"

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• A wire’s dielectric constant is related to the energy stored in the insulation.
• Lower insulation dielectric constants are preferred for high-speed data applications
• This parameter must be tightly controlled for impedance-controlled systems.

@thyname I love Venn diagrams, I just love them.  No really I do. 

@zlone If you wanna stop messing around with entry-level cables, buy these Acoustic Zen Satori cables at a great price and go to the next level.  If they don’t work out just turn around and sell them at little/no loss as there’s a fluid market for AZ cables.  Just do it.  You won’t be disappointed. 
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649912537-acoustic-zen-satori-shotgun-speaker-cable-8ft-spades-at-both-ends/