Speaker Cable Terminations

You are asking too much, it seems to me, especially with your vague reference to "effective but inexpensive". There are many different approaches to all the questions you ask, with each cable manufacturer having slightly differing philosophies. My own feeling is that crimped spades are the most popular method, but my advice to you is to experiment for yourself, and decide what seems best.

My belief is that cable termination is a convenience feature, so you choose the type that you like best. I prefer soldered bananas because they are easy to connect and (with the right plugs) don't come loose. Some people like spades. Some people like to crimp. I think that crimped terminations fall apart too easy (except maybe with the $100 WBT connectors). Just choose what you like best and don't worry about it.

If you get aftermarket cables, many come preterminated from the factory. Even if you buy bulk wire like Kimber Kable, the dealer should terminate them with the connectors you choose to buy. (Unless they are lazy cheap bastards, which many dealers have become).

Ernio...you sound like a college prof. asking an exam question. Please fill out the blue book entirely in neat legible blue ink only. Get on the web, buy some WBT connectors and some Monster and Kimber stuff. Get a soldering Iron, some tools some wire etc. and have fun! There are several sites offering do it yourself info on cables and terminations. Read a lot first and then take the plunge! That is how I did it. It may not be right, but it worked for me because I had FUN doing it.

Personally, I like spades. I think there is more surface area and you can tighten the terminals to make very good contact. Since I don't have an oxygen free environment to solder in, I prefer crimping when making my own cables. As to connectors, well, if I have someone else making the cables (such as Audioquest) I use there connectors. For my own DIY I tend not to spend as much and use Vampire connectors. The WBT are much better, but far more expensive. The Parts Connection has probably a dozen different spade connectors which range in price from a few dollars to the WBTs. The people there are also very helpful. If you are going to solder, get some of the WBT silver solder. Good luck--and have fun with it.

Let's see:

Solder vs Crimped: Crimped is supposed to better. You have to have a good crimper and the right connectors for crimping. Solderd works well (I have done a/b testing with the result that I can not tell the difference) if you use proper technique and good solder.

Spades vs Banana vs Direct: Spades seem to get the nod for best connection. A lot also depends on your speaker terminals and amp terminals. The cheapo ones never give you a good connection. I love the Cardas post that allow you to tighten these right. Kimber makes a super spade that helps to prevent loosening. I've not tried it but sounds like a good idea to use with those cheap binding post. I think with good Cardas post and a wrench, the Cardas spades are hard to beat.

Cardas can be bough through Welborne, Percy and many others. Are they cheap? Not really but I hate working with cheap stuff and when I take the time to build something like to work with good tools and good parts. Just a personal preference no matter what the sound.