Does the"quality" of jumpers affect the sound?

I have always felt that the best jumper is "NO" jumper. Bi wire is much better IMO. The problem with that statement is that there are different beliefs if bi-wiring offers any better sound than using jumpers and a single cable per speaker.

I will give one example. Last year I purchsased a pair of Alon I Mk II speakers. They came with jumpers made from the same wire in which it was wired with internally. Yes, the system sounded good but something was missing. I removed the jumpers and I experienced a larger soundstage, sweeter top end, a more spacious sound but more than that I experiences better rhythym and pacing. The speakers opened up.
These were dealer Demos. The dealer told me they did not sound good with the jumpers. I didn't have a pair of bi-wire cables so I listened for about 3 weeks while waiting for the bi-wire cable to arrive. When I received it I inserted the bi-wire cable. I had removed the jumpers.

When I began to listen I really noticed an improvement all around. I tried several amplifiers in the mix and several combinations of cables and amps. I realized one thing and that was the Alons sounded better bi-wired. I placed the jumpers back on with several different expensive cables and still they sound more in focus with the bi-wire cable. A few months later I sold the Alons and I have tried several other speakers in the $2000 to $4000 range. Some sounded better bi-wired and some didn't. I guess it's all in the design. Many audiophiles say that bi-wire does not offer much improvement over a single wire system or a system with jumpers. I say trust your ears. I would use the same wire that my cables are made out of.

Let's assume it does make a difference. It still seems to me that a pair of brass bars (or the better copper ones) would have an excellent chance of outperforming two jumper cables of even super-premium pedigree because those cables are (1) longer -- usually 6 inches or more compared to maybe 2 inches for the bars; (2) have solder joints to spade or banana connectors on both ends, versus no joints whatsoever; and (3) are prone to higher inductance because the + and - are typically separated by a greater distance than with the simple bars.

I wish manufacturers would do away with biwiring as an option unless they are absolutely convinced it matters for their speakers (e.g., Vandersteen) or unless it is a speaker that is likely to be biamped. I also wish they would standardize on a single binding post diameter.

Drubin, I'm pretty sure every manufacturer that offers their speaker in a biwire version believes it absolutely makes a difference. Otherwise, why would they spend the extra money?

In my opinion, switching out the stock jumpers does make a difference.

I'm pretty sure every manufacturer that offers their speaker in a biwire version believes it absolutely makes a difference. Otherwise, why would they spend the extra money?

I wouldn't be so sure. I think many do it because it's "expected".