Advice on speakers and cable needed

[JimDriver2]

I got my first 5.1 setup, its the Grudig 620-HT set and it sounded excellent when I watch T2 the other night. The cable is just basic copper stuff, but the general opinion round here is that you need real good cable. How much of a difference does it make? Cos if I need to buy cable for all 5 speakers thats gonna cost a fair bit:(

Also my player and speaker cable inputs are just for the pure wire to be put in, there are those little switch to flick up and down to hold it in place. Whats the correct term for that so I don't buy cable thats got plugs on the end?

Finally the manual says i shouldn't use any other types of speakers or subwoofers with the player. Is this just a ploy to have me only buy their stuff, or could other speakers damage the player? Do I need to take into account some speaker settings?

cheers

[Neon]

If you want a good, low cost speaker cable, you could do a lot worse than IXOS 607 (e.g. at http://www.hifijunkies.co.uk - make sure you measure up properly!).

On the other hand, a budget system is going to be hampered more by:

a) Poor speakers (as I suspect you suspect!)
b) Low power amplification.

To be honest, the speakers with your system are probably a pretty good match for its capablities. Although you may well get an improvement by upgrading them, you'd be better off (if you see what I mean) saving up for a good separates system.