Speaker Cable Questions

I know I'll probably take just a little heat for this, but...  Home Depot 25' 12ga (yup, orange extension cords) should be sufficient and it's definitely a little more affordable than some of the other things mentioned above.  And we're not talking about the 12ga speaker wire that you can now buy there - buy a couple of 12/2 extension cords, fix the ends, and connect up. You can probably Google to find the former references to a past audio show in England where a certain speaker manufacturer was showing their wares using essentially that cable (and where we learned of this trick).  I've had those flat interwoven cables, proper fat speaker cable, etc. and we have to admit that the darned 12/2 is as good as all that ('specially if you're over 30 and by definition have non-teenager hearing).

Blue Jeans Cable. Top quality Belden wire, top quality connectors (including locking bananas which are great), very good strain relief, proper termination loading, excellent insulation, excellent shielding. Made in the U.S. by a very good company, and at reasonable prices. The online custom order system works extremely well for any sort of (long or short) custom length. 10GA, 12GA and some custom gauges available as well. 
  

I agree with mr_hosehead. Any decent 12AWG cable set will make a dandy speaker cable, if you're happy with the look and feel, and the quality of termination that you can muster. You have to have the right crimper tool and soldering iron tip/temperature, and skill to do 12AWG justice. 

I've also used Kimber 8VS in the length you require and was happy with the result. There is now a 12VS offered which I would consider, however. 

Thanks to everyone for their input. Mr_hosehead, not sure what you mean by 12/2. I do get your point about standard 12 gauge, and I further assume you mean the same when referencing orange extension cord. As for fixing the ends up, and to rail2rail's point, why use any kind of termination at all? Bare wire could arguably be "better" because there is one less item (piece of material, etc.) in the circuit. I use bare wire at both the amp and speakers now.