Speaker cable recommendations in my budget

tochsii-

How would I make my own?

Well first you would let someone sell you on the idea this is something worth doing. Then you would let someone sell you on the idea they know what materials and construction will be best for your budget and sonic preferences. Then you would shop around and buy the wire, insulation, terminations, solder, soldering gun, wire strippers, and electrical shrink wrap. Then you would let someone sell you on the idea they know what is the best way to put this all together. Because every single one of these things makes a difference, and you know nothing about it. So to say this is a leap of faith trusting someone you never met to tell you how to do it, don't even begin to cover it.

So let me tell you about making your own. I'm all for DIY. Did you look at my system???! Look at my system! https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8367 DIY turntable. DIY rack. DIY acoustic panels. DIY power conditioner. DIY subs. And practically everything that's not DIY has been modded. 

Now why do you suppose a guy this much into DIY has no DIY cables? Its not for lack of trying! I have a whole drawer full of old cables. Even at one point had some DIY cables. Because once long ago I was dim and gullible enough to be sold on the idea and so I tried. Then I met a guy who was as much a believer in DIY cables as anyone you will ever meet here or anywhere else. This guy had 30 years practice working on DIY cables. One time he comes over all excited to show me his masterpiece, the best IC he ever made in his 30 years. We plugged it in. It sucked. Well that was compared to some moderately priced cables. So I went to my old cable drawer, pulled out the oldest cheapest one in there. Cost a fraction of what he had in his just in parts. To say the guy was shattered wouldn't do it justice. His masterpiece was so utterly destroyed by my old discarded cheap cable he couldn't even try and deny it. 

So listen, you can buy cones. You can buy cables. But if you decide to make your own.... GOOD LUCK!

mofimadness-

I'm a HUGE proponent of BDR cones/pucks/pits/shelves. I have them everywhere. Don't think they'll solve your speaker cable issue though...

Right. They are awesome. And Right, they are not speaker cables. The OP will still want to upgrade cables some day. Fine. The improved dynamics and inner detail resolution Cones will bring will make it all the easier to evaluate and appreciate the differences between those cables.

In the big scheme of things where I dwell its all about picking the low hanging fruit. I never advocate anything hard and risky when there's something easy at hand. Components still connected with crappy plastic patch cords and freebie rubber power cords are only a little higher on the tree than components still sitting on the factory feet, but why reach any higher if you don't have to? Do you know any cones better than BDR? I sure don't. Which makes it a sure thing. I don't think anyone can honestly say the same about cables.

Finally, a lot of guys unfortunately are under the impression things like cones aren't serious components. Again, having used BDR you know this stuff is serious as a heart attack. So its worth it to the OP to learn this lesson early, and learn it well. For all these reasons I recommend BDR Cones over cables. 

There are no 8 to 10 foot phenomenal cables that will rock anyone's world for $200. There are only cables that will sound a lot better than regular hookup wire. 

But here's the thing. At the level you are at, both in terms of budget and associated equipment, your biggest bang for the audio buck will be to put a set of BDR Cones under the receiver and speakers. That's three sets at $60 a set for $180 total from Music Direct.

Three sets of Cones will reveal way more inner detail, improve micro and macro dynamics more, and be a LOT more neutral, than any cable on the market for $200. New or used.

Plus the beauty of BDR Cones, you will use them forever. Mine were one of the first things I bought 30 years ago. When something better comes along I change. Still have them. And its not like the system is budget either. They simply happen to be the best value for $60, then and now. https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8367
So instead of buying a cable, which you will be getting rid of for a better one in a few years, you can buy something now that you will be using for the rest of your life. Its a no-brainer.

I say this in spite of being a huge Synergistic Research fan, and knowing there are really good 8-10 ft Synergistic Research cables out there in the used market that will be great for you. Really. They are so good you won't have to worry about year or model, just buy whatever you can find within your budget. You could well wind up with cables costing nearly a grand new going for $200 today. That's just cables.  Wouldn't want to talk you out of that either. They would be quite good. Its just that BDR Cones are an even better deal. I know. Because I've had both the cables and the Cones.

There. Followed all of your requirements, still managed to give great advice. How about that?