Minimalized Speaker Length

Wouldn't it make sense to put my power amplifier output terminals as close as possible to the input terminal of my speaker? 

I see all these very expensive speaker cables and how they do this and that, and many discussions about their characteristics. 

In practical theory, why not just eliminate the cable altogether and run say, a 6" cable (or even less) to the speaker?! 

Save all all that money and 'coloring' of the sound?! 

Would not be this be the most ptlractical and 'purist' way to go? 
All the best recording engineers chose the minimum path possible in pro studios. Why not apply this practice with speaker cables? 

I'd enjoy hearing from the AG community on this. Thank you.