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Speaker wire capacitance and inductance normally have no effect on audio quality, though extreme examples using unusually high-impedance speakers and exceptionally long wire runs can show a small effect.
Speaker wire terminations are optional and largely for convenience. Bare wire ends work just as well electrically, and may work better mechanically as adding a termination introduces another potential point of error in installation or failure over time. The most common termination types are solder-tinned wire ends, soldered or crimped pin or spade lugs, banana plugs, and 2-pin DIN connectors. Which type to use is determined by the connectors on the equipment at each end of the wire.
Some terminations are plated in gold, which is of no functional use on consumer equipment speaker lines, except to help market equipment to end users unfamiliar with the relevant principles. In a moist environment, gold-plated connectors can resist corrosion better than some other materials.
Many speakers and electronics have flexible five-way binding posts that can be screwed down or held down by a spring to accept bare or soldered wire and pins or springy banana plugs (through a hole in the outward-facing side of the post).
There are also several types of proprietary connectors, though these are largely on all-in-one entertainment centers and bookshelf stereo systems.
In recent years, the Neutrik Speakon connector is appearing more and more on professional audio equipment. One reason is simple: in many European countries the banana plug can fit into 230v main electrical sockets. A mistake will damage equipment, and could possibly injure or kill someone as well. Recent EU regulations prohibit banana plugs in non-AC equipment, unless equipped with a safety pin mechanism preventing insertion into a wall outlet; there is such a connector available (from WBT Connectors), but it is not widely used.
Additionally, the Neutrik Speakon connector twists to lock in place, preventing one cause of intermittent failure, and accidental disconnection common in well-used banana plug connections. The Speakon also carries more current than heavy-duty 15A 1/4" phone plugs (originally used in the telephone industry), and does not short two conductors together at insertion/removal.
