12awg cable is the min for a 20amp 120VAC outlet.
10awg cable is the min for a 30amp outlet but you can use it on a 20amp rated outlet-just ensure that the breaker is also only 20amps.
Higher guage may or may not provide any audible benefits, but will play a factor depending on how long the ruin is between the outlet and the Main panel. The longer the run, the more resistance, and thus the more voltage drop on the line. Of course the VDrop is dependent on the amount of current being pulled at the moment.
If you have a short run, 12 will suffice just fine. However if your run is like 100', while 12awg may suffice 10awg may be better.
In my case, my outlet was about 100' away and I had a huge VDrop-of like 11 volts when pulling about 11 amps.
Since you're going through the effort/expense, and since you ordered 2 outlets, if they are being installed in the same location, get 10/3 or 12/3 wire. It has a shared neutral and ground and separate hot wires for 2 circuits. If they are being installed in the same gang box, be sure to use a double breaker (usually used for 220V applications). This will ensure that all power is off to the entire box in the event that you or somebody else ever want to work on that outlet in the future.
Oh yeah, by the way, I'm NOT a licensed electrician, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night ;)