TOP 10 - SPEAKER CABLES

By increasing the separation of the conductors inside the cable, and therefore the amount of air between them, QED has created a low-loss Air Gap dielectric. This technology halves the dissipation and capacitance characteristics of the cable, and results in numerous audible improvements - particularly where timing and rhythmic accuracy are concerned. Despite this increased separation, though, XT40i retains the sort of cross-sectional area that makes it ideal for long cable runs.

Forming the cable conductors into a tube-like shape around a hollow insulating rod in the centre of the cable equalises current densities, delivers very low inductance and presents a consistent, even load to an amplifier. The result is a cable that retains more of the finest musical details, that handles rhythms and tempos in the most natural and musically satisfying way, and that outperforms rival designs costing far more.

• Outside diameter: 6x 14 mm
• Conductor area: 4 mm²
• Dielectric properties: Air Gap (εr = 2.4)
• Conductor chemistry: 99.999% oxygen-free copper
• Dielectric properties: Air Gap
• Loop resistance: 8.0 mΩ/m
• Parallel capacitance: 35 pF/m
• Dissipation factor @ 10 kHz: 0.0295
• Self-inductance: 0.57 μH/m

Most cables feature PVC insulation, some have a basic fire rating such as CL3, etc. Unfortunately, most cables give off hazardous toxic smoke during a fire, posing a very serious health risk. LSZH cables are made from a special compound that performs as well as PVC insulation, but crucially gives off very little smoke and no halogen toxins in the event of a fire.

• Many leading architects and builders are now specifying LSZH spec cables as standard, along with commercial and marine
• Only LSZH cables meet the legislated fire specifications for boat installations
• Conforms to the following specifications:
• IEC 61034-1:2005
• Measurement of smoke density of cables burning
• IEC 61034-2:2005
• under defined conditions
• IEC 60332-1:2004
• Test for vertical flame propagation for a single insulated wire or cable
• IEC 60754-2:1991
• (Amendment1, 1997) test on gas evolved during combustion of electric cables

• Speaker cable for beginning music lovers combining convenience and good sound
• The design based on the geometry of the number 8 allows the 79 Strand cable to be used in the most demanding locations
• This cable is the only winner of the prestigious 'TEST OF TIME' award from the British Audio Federation.
• Conductor with a cross-sectional area of 2.5 mm², consisting of 79 fibers of high-quality copper
• Clearer bass sound
• Clearer treble sound
• Available in spool, length 100 m, price per meter
• Black color

• AIRLOC plastic plug
• 4 mm banana type tip
• Body made of brass
• Gold plated with 24 carat gold
• New design
• The plugs require the QED AT-1 vacuum crimping tool - this method guarantees the best quality of connection (better than any soldering) because the airless connection of the cable with the plug protects it from ultra-oxidation
• Package of 20 pcs. (10x red + 10x black)
• Price per piece

By increasing the separation of the conductors inside the cable, and therefore the amount of air between them, QED has created a low-loss Air Gap dielectric. This technology halves the dissipation and capacitance characteristics of the cable, and results in numerous audible improvements - particularly where timing and rhythmic accuracy are concerned. Despite this increased separation, though, XT40i retains the sort of cross-sectional area that makes it ideal for long cable runs.

Forming the cable conductors into a tube-like shape around a hollow insulating rod in the centre of the cable equalises current densities, delivers very low inductance and presents a consistent, even load to an amplifier. The result is a cable that retains more of the finest musical details, that handles rhythms and tempos in the most natural and musically satisfying way, and that outperforms rival designs costing far more.

• Outside diameter: 6 x 14 mm
• Conductor area: 4 mm²
• Dielectric properties: Air Gap (εr = 2.4)
• Conductor chemistry: 99.999% oxygen-free copper
• Dielectric properties: Air Gap
• Loop resistance: 8.0 mΩ/m
• Parallel capacitance: 35 pF/m
• Dissipation factor @ 10 kHz: 0.0295
• Self-inductance: 0.57 μH/m

• Screwloc 4 mm plugs and Spade terminations provide secure cableconnection
• They are 24c gold plated for optimum signal transfer
• They have colour coded ABS barrels to ensure correct phasing and prevent amplifier damage

QED has won more What Hi-fi? Awards than any other single brand and with XT25 this heritage is delivered at a sensible price. Unlike most other manufacturers, QED offer an unlimited lifetime guarantee which means that if your cable ever fails to deliver to its full potential during its lifetime we will replace it free of charge.

In loudspeaker cables high pitched sounds are forced to travel towards the outside of the conductor and so are able to use less and less of the available cross-sectional area as the pitch increases. This is called the “Skin Effect”. It means that for high frequencies the resistance of the cable appears to be much higher than it does for lower pitched sounds. Eddy currents in one conductor can affect the current flowing in an adjacent conductor so that currents flowing in the same direction move away from each other. This “Proximity Effect” also increases resistance as frequency increases. These phenomena have a detrimental effect on the fidelity of the sound you hear. The XT25 variation of QED X-Tube™ Technology solves these problems by creating a hollow tubular conductor geometry out of individual conductor bunches through which each frequency can pass with equal ease when compared to traditional solid or stranded conductors.

Music signals in a loudspeaker cable move back and forth many times every second. The insulating material used to separate the send and return conductors from each other (the dielectric) has to be charged and discharged every time. Not all of the energy stored in the dielectric during each charge cycle is completely returned during each discharge cycle which has a detrimental effect on the fidelity of the sound you hear. That’s why at QED we use low-loss dielectric materials such as Polyethylene (PE) or Teflon™ (PTFE) in preference to cheaper PVC alternatives found in inferior unbranded cables.

Speaker cables need to have a large current carrying capacity. If the electrical resistance of the cable is too large, part of the music signal will be lost, causing a detrimental effect on the fidelity of the sound you hear. To stop this from happening we make the resistance of our speaker cables as small as possible. We do this by using the largest practical cross-sectional area of copper within the size constraints of each cable. In order to squeeze the last drop of performance from the conductors we make sure that there are no impurities in the copper which would defeat the object of making them so large. That’s why we use 99.999% oxygen-free copper exclusively.

Unique proprietary technology and trademarked geometries plus our award winning heritage all combine to create audible sonic improvements when compared to other loudspeaker cables.

• Cross-sectional area: 2.5 mm²
• Wire gauge: 14 AWG
• Jacket outside diameter: 3.96 mm
• Loop inductance: 0.52 μH/m
• Loop resistance: 13.4 mΩ
• Capacitance: 35.0 pF/m
• Dissipation factor @ 10 kHz: 0.0001
• Conductors: 10 x 19/0.13 mm
• Insulation: LDPE jacket with 100% coverage of Aluminium Mylar tape wrap
• Plugs and spades: QED Airloc™ Forte banana plugs

QED has won more What Hi-fi? Awards than any other single brand and with XT25 this heritage is delivered at a sensible price. Unlike most other manufacturers, QED offer an unlimited lifetime guarantee which means that if your cable ever fails to deliver to its full potential during its lifetime we will replace it free of charge.

In loudspeaker cables high pitched sounds are forced to travel towards the outside of the conductor and so are able to use less and less of the available cross-sectional area as the pitch increases. This is called the “Skin Effect”. It means that for high frequencies the resistance of the cable appears to be much higher than it does for lower pitched sounds. Eddy currents in one conductor can affect the current flowing in an adjacent conductor so that currents flowing in the same direction move away from each other. This “Proximity Effect” also increases resistance as frequency increases. These phenomena have a detrimental effect on the fidelity of the sound you hear. The XT25 variation of QED X-Tube™ Technology solves these problems by creating a hollow tubular conductor geometry out of individual conductor bunches through which each frequency can pass with equal ease when compared to traditional solid or stranded conductors.

Music signals in a loudspeaker cable move back and forth many times every second. The insulating material used to separate the send and return conductors from each other (the dielectric) has to be charged and discharged every time. Not all of the energy stored in the dielectric during each charge cycle is completely returned during each discharge cycle which has a detrimental effect on the fidelity of the sound you hear. That’s why at QED we use low-loss dielectric materials such as Polyethylene (PE) or Teflon™ (PTFE) in preference to cheaper PVC alternatives found in inferior unbranded cables.

Speaker cables need to have a large current carrying capacity. If the electrical resistance of the cable is too large, part of the music signal will be lost, causing a detrimental effect on the fidelity of the sound you hear. To stop this from happening we make the resistance of our speaker cables as small as possible. We do this by using the largest practical cross-sectional area of copper within the size constraints of each cable. In order to squeeze the last drop of performance from the conductors we make sure that there are no impurities in the copper which would defeat the object of making them so large. That’s why we use 99.999% oxygen-free copper exclusively.

Unique proprietary technology and trademarked geometries plus our award winning heritage all combine to create audible sonic improvements when compared to other loudspeaker cables.

• Cross-sectional area: 2.5 mm²
• Wire gauge: 14 AWG
• Jacket outside diameter: 3.96 mm
• Loop inductance: 0.52 μH/m
• Loop resistance: 13.4 mΩ
• Capacitance: 35.0 pF/m
• Dissipation factor @ 10 kHz: 0.0001
• Conductors: 10 x 19/0.13 mm
• Insulation: LDPE jacket with 100% coverage of Aluminium Mylar tape wrap
• Pre-terminated cable with Airloc™ Forte QED banana plugs

Wilson speaker cables are dedcated both to stereo systems as well as Home Cinema Wilson speaker cables delivers finesse and subtlety just as well as dynamic heft and punch

• conductors made of high purity OFC cooper
• cross sectional area: 4,0 mm²
• transparent jacket
• cable is meter marked so you will always know how many meters left on spool
• +/- recognition
• banana plugs

QED celebrates its 50th anniversary in style, with the introduction of its Golden Anniversary XT speaker cable. Representing the culmination of five decades of dedicated and extensive research, engineering and audio expertise, Golden Anniversary XT speaker cable is the ideal upgrade for any hi-fi enthusiast who wants to experience the sonic benefits of a high-end speaker cable - but at a real-world price

QED’s innovative and proven X-Tube™ technology places a cable’s conductive material around a central hollow insulating rod - and the result is the elimination of the ‘skin effect’ that would otherwise force high-frequency analogue music signals to the outside of the conductor. And by combining X-Tube™ technology with its equally effective Aircore™ technology, QED also reduces the ‘proximity effect’ that can disrupt current distribution in a speaker cable. The result is X-Tube™ Plus: a ground-breaking cable geometry that ensures Golden Anniversary XT is a speaker cable with even, consistent performance across the entire audible frequency range.

Golden Anniversary XT uses a unique hybrid blend of 99.999% oxygen-free copper (‘OFC’) and Ultra-Pure Ohno Continuous Cast Copper (‘UP-OCC’) to give the improved signal path and outstanding signal retention of ultra-pure copper conductors - but at a fraction of the price. Thanks to class-leading research and engineering, QED Golden Anniversary XT is the most affordable and attainable speaker cable to exploit the advantages of the continuous-casting process, with this hybrid theoretically improving the path for transients and high frequency detail not available using just OFC alone.

If a speaker cable is to perform to its maximum potential, it’s important that the dielectric material which insulates and protects the central conductors of the cable does so efficiently. Golden Anniversary XT uses a specially developed and formulated low-density polyethylene (‘LDPE’), which works in unison with the cable’s X-Tube Plus configuration to deliver a speaker cable that has high-efficiency and a dissipation factor that is barely measurable.

Airloc™ is a specially developed cold-weld system for permanently attaching QED Forté banana plugs to the company’s entire range of speaker cables, Golden Anniversary XT included. The most vulnerable area of the speaker cable chain is the physical interface between the cable and the speaker or amplifier to which it’s connected - without effective termination, oxidation can occur, degrading the cable’s performance. By using a cold weld crimp-type termination, Forté banana plugs offer maximum resistance to oxidation - for the lifetime of the cable - by effectively turning the cable and the plug into a single, unified object.

• NEW X-Tube™ Plus technology combines X-Tube™ with Aircore™ to deliver an even, consistent performance across the entire audible frequency range
• Ultra-pure Ohno Continuous Cast Copper and 99.999% oxygen-free copper conductor blend helps improve the signal path and signal retention
• Low Loss Ultra-Uniform Dielectric insulation boosts efficiency and reduces signal loss
• Airloc™ Forte banana plugs use a cold weld system for permanent attachment to the cable for improved contact area and reduced resistance
• Cross-sectional area: 2.5 mm²
• Wire gauge: 14 AWG
• Jacket outside diameter: 11.5 mm
• Loop inductance: 0.58 μH/m
• Loop resistance: 14.8 mΩ/m
• Capacitance: 42.0 pF/m
• Dissipation factor @ 10 kHz: 0.0090
• Conductors: 9 x 19/0.13 mm OFC + 1 x 19/0.13 mm UP-OCC
• Insulation: LDPE jacket with 100% coverage of golden/mylar tape wrap
• Plugs and spades: QED Airloc™ Forte banana plugs