Canare is a favorite of mine, and they make excellent products. Their wires and connectors are used professionally and they are made to high quality standards.

The problem I have with smaller cable compainies (even Monster) is that their products are usually manufactured in countries like China and there is not the demanding quality control that is afforded cables intended for professional applications. These cables are, after all, intended for less demanding consumer applications where buyers are less likely to know the differences between high and lesser quality construction (and looks don't tell the whole story). The professional market would not put up with a cable that does not make the grade in quality or performance.

My speaker wires are a combination of Belden 10 gauge (tinned conductors) and Gepco 12 gauge mulit-conductor.