Speaker wire... Diy?

GK has a bit of a point, of course many of the cables I’ve used are directional.  Anticables characteristics (not saying preferable) are do largely in part to having almost zero shielding as well.  Did I not say in my system?  Overall however, we can make some judgements when used with various equipment and different environments.  As usual though, all IMHO

I think you probably mean insulation, not shielding. But, you’re right, there are many variables involved, thus making it rather difficult to prove solid core vs stranded. Purity of metal, type of metal, type of dielectric material, break in, shielded vs non shielded, directionality, geometry, cryogenically treated or not, etc.

It’s what I chose to believe. - Dr. Elizabeth. Shaw in Prometheus

Awe man...now I have to like you GK!!  Prometheus quote 😝. Alien fan perhaps?

I’m full of them. 

Just bought a Kimber cable on eBay for $10! I'll try it out. But the helix cable looks interesting