Simple question, or is it...

Let me add my paltry understanding. An audio signal is an electrical signal that replicates a sound wave. The electrical voltage varies in the same way as the sound pressure (wave) that it represents varies. Both in strength and frequency. The varying ac voltage is created by various mechanical to electrical transducers - initially a microphone. Later in the stream, perhaps a phono cartridge. To “transmit” the audio signal, a wire is most often used. The actual transfer mechanism is a transfer of electrical charge within the wire. This is called elecrical current. The speed is irrelevant, since it can transverse your room in a tiny fraction of a second.

+1 cakids

The actual transfer mechanism is a transfer of electrical charge within the wire. This is called elecrical current. The speed is irrelevant, since it can transverse your room in a tiny fraction of a

This is where I get lost. The "charge flow" which is current is very slow it doesn't travel across your room in a tiny fraction of a second, the "energy flow" which is a different thing travels close to the speed of light. 

The speed is not based on how long it takes for an electron to get from one end of the wire to the other. It is the time it takes for the information to make the trip. One analogy is that of a train. The information that the train is moving gets to the last car much more quickly than the last car reaches the position of the engine. Once the couplers are all taut, the information has traveled from the engine to the last car.