Do speaker cables really make a difference ?

As with all things: yes, within reason.
In my humble opinion, only two criteria to watch for:

- diameter of the copper wire: wider = less resistance

- length of cable: shorter = less resistance.
That’s it. You don’t have to spend a lotta money for that muffler, err … cable.

My experience has led me to consider cabling selection equal to component and speaker selection. Specifically how they all perform - and sound - in unison. This initially was a little frustrating because I didn’t budget for it, but that faded as I realized it was one more way to further improve the quality of the experience.

It was easy to recognize the differences in speakers. Then came components. Last and most challenging for me to wrap my head around was how changing a cable could be such a significant variable in the equation. To be fair, some cables less or more obvious than others. So I definitely can relate to the doubters.

It is a journey. A reproduction of experience through electrical and wave propagation. One best experienced through observation without persecution. From truth - seeing things as they are - flows compassion. And when you hear it, the experience is undeniable.

@soix 

If you wanna stop messing around with entry-level cables, buy these Acoustic Zen Satori cables at a great price and go to the next level.  If they don’t work out just turn around and sell them at little/no loss as there’s a fluid market for AZ cables.  Just do it.  You won’t be disappointed. 
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649912537-acoustic-zen-satori-shotgun-speaker-cable-8ft-spades-at-both-ends/

Thanks for the heads up, I will take a look.

Of course they do, just like everything else, power cords included (big time).

Do not listen to the naysayers. All they do is repeat stupid stuff they have read in 1973. Maybe they once tried some cheap-@ss Monster Cable (LOL) and didn't hear a difference (no kidding?). In a decent system, swapping cables can be as audible as swapping amps, and sometimes more audible than swapping DACs. Of course, going from multi strand OFC 16 brand A to multi strand OFC 16 brand B won't necessarily give a huge difference, sometimes it does, sometimes not. But compare your favorite lamp cord to a quality, well engineered cable, be it solid core, ribbon, whatever, different materials, and the difference will be very audible.