connect 2 different wire gauge to pos and neg speaker terminal

Great post Al.

If the audio signal travels through the *dielectric* and not (rpt not) through the metal conductor I suppose we can throw out the whole skin effect idea, which says most audio frequencies travel *inside* the metal conductor at some depth, with only very high frequencies, perhaps above "audio frequencies," traveling near the surface, I.e., skin. How can audio frequencies travel inside the conductor when the audio signal - the electromagnetic wave - travels outside the conductor?

Al - thanks for the informative response

However, I need your help again...

Let’s take the IC connecting two components as an example...
- the signal conductor has an AC signal on it
- the neutral conductor is connected to the neutral sides of each component

On well designed components the neutral side of the circuit should always be at zero vaults - especially if grounded

If both components are well designed, then the neutral sides of the their respective circuits would be at zero volts,

Therefore, the neutral conductor of the IC should also be at zero volts - yes?

What exactly am I missing here ?

Sorry for being a pain and thanks in advance

Geoffkait,  electric charge still travels back and forth inside of the wire between terminals hence skin effect still applies.  It starts for the copper at 20kHz at about gauge 18.  Al was only explaining difference between electric charge travelling back and forth (electric current) and energy delivery from source to load in form of electromagnetic wave outside of the cable.  Load has voltage drop between terminals hence we have electric field while current in the wire produces magnetic filed.  Interaction of these fields causes power draw by the load.  Source also has electric and electromagnetic fields that cause power output.  As Al stated this energy is delivered in one direction only in form of electromagnetic wave outside of the cable - from source to load.  Direction is determined by Poynting Vector.  Electric and magnetic fields are perpendicular to each other and determine direction of Poynting vector (direction of energy transfer).  It is also true for DC.