I'm installing a whole-house audio system, so I have a lot of speakers that I need to connect up. The speakers (JBl SP6CSII, about $100/pair) are good, but not pro-grade or anything. I'm not really an audiophile either.

I'm connecting all the speakers using 16-gauge wire, as recommended by JBL. Now, I'm wondering whether I need to get Gold-plated Banana plugs, or if regular Banana plugs will suffice.I figure it will cost me $200 in Gold-plated connectors, and I'm not sure if it's worth it. The regular banana plugs cost almost nothing.

I connected a few of them up using the cheap connectors as a test, and I thought the it sounded a bit muffled, but I'm not sure if it's just a psychological thing.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.