What to look for in home audio wiring
When you are searching for the right audio cables for your home stereo system your best bet does not lie with taking the advice of an audio sales representative whose main goal are to upsell you on products that you may not need. Your receiver manual will suggest the optimal cables for signal delivery, and be it as it may the suggested cables for purchase generally lie in the cheaper, copper brand, found at most retail stores that sell audio equipment and supplies. Generally, you want to adhere to the manufacturer’s suggestion on the ideal cables, balanced or unbalanced, plated or non-plated. They have designed their audio equipment to optimally transfer signals at a perceived rate, one that their consumers can afford, and one that delivers optimal sound signals.

Cost versus quality
Most cables are made with copper, plain and simple. There are some that incorporate gold elements to increase the signal strength transfer rate and to clean up the overall sound. But the truth be told, most modern day receivers have built-in digital cleanup interfaces which take all signals and pass them through digital filters so that the sound quality is as high as it possibly can be. That being said, for most people, and in most cases, the recommended factory cables—the standard fare of cables—will suffice. And to further this point, if you were to take the most expensive cables and hook them up on identical systems, side-by-side, and play audio from each system, most people would have absolutely no idea which system had the higher quality cables.

What to look for in high end audio cables
While one could yap on for hours on end about the lack of real difference in audio cables and their quality, there are some inherent facts to be revealed. So here are some well-known facts about audio cables.
• An audio cable can never increase the quality of a signal
• High end audio cables are designed to minimize disruption of the signal and distortion
• The more insulation a cable has the higher quality of a signal it will deliver
• High price does not necessarily mean a better cable; some of the best audio cables are well priced within the competition

Need more convincing?
Check out this video from a Slate Audio Expert who details the ins and outs of a high quality audio cable—you might be surprised at what this expert has to say.