Is it oxygen-free copper (OFC) wire?

I dunno, many say that it's copper-clad aluminum wire. If so, then you lose three wire gauges, since 16 AWG aluminum iis roughly equivalent to 19 AWG copper, when it comes to ohms per 1000 ft.

Is this 100% copper or is it copper clad aluminum?

I just dinged Amazon to add the lower quality CCA identifier to the listing so we don't confuse it with real copper wire. THIS IS ALUMINUM WIRE. (1lb vs 2lb for pure copper)

what is the difference in watts when it comes to speakers wires?

The answers here are variably correct and incorrect!! The resistance of the speakers (ohms) needs to match the impedance the amplifier circuit is rated to handle. Too small a wire (length is a variable) will induce a resistance that the amplifier will face, like a speaker, and this will alter the "balance" of the intended match!!!! Pushing speakers rated at 500 watts under a constant load of 250 watts will induce heat "resistance" if the line between the amp and the speaker is very small and sound quality will be compromised!!!! Up to 100 feet of lead at a constant load of 500 watts would ideally be handled using 10 gauge copper, braided wire facing from 4 ohms to 16 ohms. Bottom line: Discriminating "audiophiles" popularly tout the use of 12 gauge braided lead for almost all in-home installations ... this allows for component upgrades in the future! As said here, 16 gauge braided lead, in most installations, will produce results that are completely acceptable in matching power and impedance and results!!!

One speaker wire is clear and one has a white thread going through it. Does one mean positive and the other negative?

Traditionally the line that is marked (whether with a colored/painted line or groove) is positive. Like others have mentioned it doesn't really matter as long as you wire it the same way on either end but if you want to follow convention make the side with the white line positive.

ASIN	B006LW0W5Y
Best Sellers Rank	#182 in Electronics ( See Top 100 in Electronics ) #1 in Speaker Cables
Brand	Amazon Basics
Color	Bronze
Customer Reviews	4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars (77,791)
Date First Available	January 1, 2013
Gauge	16.0
Global Trade Identification Number	00841710104486, 05050053544247
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer	No
Item Weight	1.65 pounds
Item model number	SW100ft
Manufacturer	Amazon
Material	Plastic
No. of wires	2
Number of Cable Strands	2 Strands
Product Dimensions	1200 x 0.24 x 0.12 inches
UPC	841710104486

Amazon Basics 16-Gauge Speaker Wire Cable, Polarity Marked, 100 ft, Bronze

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