I agree with Hack, though would add power (specifically dedicated lines) as being only slightly behind cables/wires. I came to this conclusion kicking and screaming, initially placing a much higher priority on speakers than on source (dead wrong, but some of us are slow learners). Any speaker manufacturer - Wilson springs quickly to mind - who tries to tell people otherwise is working a scam, as far as I am concerned.
Of course if your system is wildly unbalanced by one poor component, including speakers, it is not going to sound good. Balance and rationality is still of great importance in deciding on upgrades.
Of course if your system is wildly unbalanced by one poor component, including speakers, it is not going to sound good. Balance and rationality is still of great importance in deciding on upgrades.