Do speaker cables really make a difference ?

"  Do not be fooled by the diameter of the external plastic sheath: what matters is the metal content of the core. The more the better, without exception….”

How much metal content of the core shoud be in good speaker cables ?

A couple of comments on "confirmation bias":

The exact opposite effect can happen as well -- rigid skepticism. When a new/different concept is introduced, there’s the prospect that it may peg the needle on our "BS meters". Everything we’ve been taught, our life experiences AND our common sense tells us that it can’t be true. Then, the unthinkable happens. We actually give it a listen and <insert EXPLETIVE(S) here!!!!>.

This is exactly how I was dragged kicking and screaming into what are modern staples in quality audio reproduction. As an avid skeptic. As a dealer in the mid 70’s I made a "courtesy purchase" of some meaty speaker cables. The "courtesy purchase" occurs when you like the rep (or find them to be somewhat credible, or both), or his company, and just what to make them happy (or, shut them the heck up). These massive cables hung on the pegboard for months, sealed in their factory packaging. During each monthly visit, I would be asked if had listened to them yet. The answer was consistent: "I haven’t gotten around to it yet". I’m not sure of what the actual motiviation was, but I finally broke them out and took them home. We’ll just say my life has never been the same since I discovered that certain cables shouldn’t be used on a quality 2-slice toaster -- much less a piece of serious audio gear.

Fast forward 20 years, and a concept that is often rebuked here was introduced. Same mindset. Same hesitation. But, I was finally shamed into listening. Yep. Eye and ear opening. That’s when the terms "intellectual" and "humility" became permanently engrained of my vocabulary.

Here’s MHO on cables in general:

I’ve experienced situations where a smaller gauge, well-engineered cable kicked the crap out of a big gauge cable in 95% of the audible range. There’s more to this cable thing than mere gauge or the purity of copper.

I’ve never experienced a system at any price that could not benefit from the (right) cable being attached. This includes $300 shelf systems.

Cables upgrades can make as much of a difference INSIDE of a enclosure or chassis as they do on the outside. Be adventurous. Pop the top off the chassis, or pull a woofer and look inside. You might be surprised at the upgrade opportunities that await you.

And so does garlic for warding off vampires. 

I especially enjoyed the "proof" that people who make their living selling extremely expensive audio equipment wouldn't market extremely expensive audio equipment unless it worked.

The Cables forum is intended for those who believe cables make a difference in how their systems sound. True Believers only! It's not a forum, it's a temple.

@ebm 

two exclamation points?  This loquaciousness is getting out if hand.

Yes, wires do make a difference.

You can ignore anyone who gives an explanation that better cables do not work. Basic physics equations don’t properly explain sound dynamics. The basic equations don’t account for anything.

Also, watch out for any comparisons using Monster Cables. Those cables aren't really any good, and people using those to state that there is no improvement need to look at some other brands. I would agree, Monsters aren’t any better than cheap ones, but that has not been the case with other brands.  Actually, I've found that Monoprice interconnects do sound better than the Monsters I have owned.

You mentioned that you were going to try Anticables. I’ve had really good experiences with them. I replaced much more expensive cables with Anticalbes when I moved into my current house. Because of the way the house is set up, I needed to use 45 ft speaker calbes and run the cables through underground conduit (not an ideal setup in any way). But frankly, they sound better than the 8ft cables that they replaced. My wife (who has fantastic hearing, but doesn’t care about equipment--the perfect judge) noticed the improvement right away.

Don’t be put off by the thickness of the cable. The important part of the thickness is the copper core. Actually, cables work better when the core is thick and the sheath is thin. Marketing and cost are better when the opposite is true.

When I was buying these, I had a good conversation with the owner. Frankly, his design explanations made a lot of sense.

I would try them. They have a 30 day return policy if I remember correctly. Return them if they don’t work for you.