All things are not equal, but for all things there is a point of deminishing returns..
Duff, don't be hoodwinked by all the hype out there.. Gauge is important, but unless you are planning on backing up your local electrical power station, 12 is big enough, but even 14 works fine in most cases..
All those adds about silver this, and cosmic that ? Just smoke-n-mirrors.. Sure, solid gold wire would be a pretty sweet ride, but would you or I honestly hear any difference between that and good old pure copper ? (Cost? Yikes !!)
Same for connection points.. Bare wire, secured in the provided posts works perfect.. Unless, as has been said by others, you intend to attach and unattach them often.. No problem, just get a good quaility device (banana/spade/pin) and have it.. Don't spend a fortune on super duper extra special, because my friend, it doesn't exist.. (Except on cheesburgers or course !)
As Judy found out, "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain".. Use a little common sence and you will fine..
