Originally Posted by Arfboy
The engine compartment does not get hot enough to damage wire that is run properly. You don't run car audio wire directly over parts that give off that much heat, unless you know squat about installing. The battery is on the side of the engine compartment, so there's a clean run along the side of the engine bay to the firewall. You don't take the wire and loop it around the header several times before bringing it to the cabin. Regular usage does not expose the wire to enough danger for damage, and if it did, then almost all wires use the same material so some expensive kit would be exposed to the same dangers. You can try to defend your statement all you want, but unless you're talking about absolute garbage wires with paper-thin jackets, which I have yet to see in car audio, there is no reason to spend twice as much on some amp wiring kit unless you're after the name or cosmetics, which I believe are valid reasons. If people really want to be paranoid about it, using split wire loom is an option.
But again, the fact remains that there won't be any noticeable difference between a WalMart kit and an expensive Best Buy kit, besides the price tag.
True on pretty much everything you said. Hell, Honda didnt use top grade wire for the battery cables,sensor wires,and all other engine bay harnesses. I don't get his argument on deteriorating wires due to the elements. Sometimes I just read and laugh. The only thing I can see good about other brand kits is usually the quality of parts such as the fuse holders or distribution blocks(if that kits comes with them).Definately the cosmetics of some kits are way better, but that is all depending on if they want the better looking parts to finish off the install. Time corrected RCA cables are nice if you are a true stereophile, which most of the people on here arent. Scoshe makes decent parts as do most any of the manufacturers. As long as people do not get wire from their cousin who is an "electrician" and have that power wire you can bend to make art work out of. Good answer Arfboy.