No question about that! I totally agree.
I'd use that $20,000 speaker with zip cord and it will sound MUCH better than the $10,000 speaker with $10,000 cables.
Amen to that.
Someone had brought up the fact that cables ONLY make a difference in a more resolving system.
In my experience listening to systems that are more than highly resolving, in purpose built and dedicated rooms, cables make a negative difference if they are not competently designed. That goes against the grain of 99% of the members here but with my ears and on many high end systems, that is my experience.
And if they really did make a difference, it would be the last place I would spend any money.
There was a time when the audio press had me convinced that certain kinds of cables would really bring out the best in my system. And thousands and thousands of dollars later, it didn't prove to be the case. And I had a friend change old and new cables out so I was initially listening blind. Zippo difference which was not the results I wanted nor that I got when listening sighted.
I did have one set of well regarded cables (speaker wire) that destroyed the sound but none made it better.
My opinion on my equipment in my room with my ears.
When I was in the business of installing high end gear in homes, which included awesome hardware, including mega-buck cables, the systems never sounded even reasonably good because little or no attention was given to proper setup and room treatment.
I am NOT saying wire does not make a difference nor that there are not measurable differences. But not to me.