Do speaker cables have to rest on floor?

Best is to install speaker cables in galvanized conduit secured at either end. This way they run absolutely straight in a slope from the amp up to the speakers. Nice straight line, no unsightly cable risers. If worried about stress have a metal shop arc weld them at both ends. 

Not down hill? they go faster that way, uphill they slow down a bit..

Just saying, it's on the "water flows down hill principal, but not so well up hill". 

Regards

Fifteen years ago, I was young to the audiophile hi-end world. I had just started writing in a local magazine as reviewer, and had already reviewed some expensive gear. So I met this guy in a friend's shop and we met regularly at the same shop, discussing and listening various systems. 

He invites me at his home to listen to his system, he described a really expensive one. 

And so there it is... Zarathustra turntable, big Kronzillas power amps, Acapella speakers, Nordost reference cables... He puts the music on and it is really best I have everh heard in my life. A stage made of cement and the female voice that was singing was whispering in my ears like an angel... 

Then I notice that the speaker cables were put on a small "stand", wooden with spikes, not touching the ground. I knew this was not at all cheap, costing more than 300 euros... Skeptical I am telling to him: Everything is amazing but I think this device there is totally nonsense... A total cheat...

He replies: Why not make some tests. Let's remove them... He removes them and I have my jaw hanging.... WTF I tell him, the concrete stage is gone, it's very  good too now but THAT stage is gone... And and the voice .... not the same.... Damn! 

I tell him (still not believing), I want to blind test it!!! Well, we did and the result was the same....

@millercarbon 

uphill both ways…. Monty Python

Ayre makes some nice Myrtlewood blocks, beeswax candles in a pinch, dixi cups, etc.