QED XT25 Speaker Cable - Custom Length

QED XT25 Speaker Cable - Custom Length

The QED speaker cable story began in 1973, with the launch of the world’s first specialist speaker cables, QED 42 and 79 strand, now household names in the audio industry. Building on this longstanding British speaker cable heritage, QED embarked on an exhaustive research program into cable parameters which began in 1995 and continues into 2017 with the release of “The Sound of Science”, a 40 page White Paper distilling the research published since 1973 by QED.

These reports set out the “top down” design-principles that have resulted most recently in the development of QED XT25 loudspeaker cable – the new class leading standard in budget to mid-range speaker cables.

Features:

• Low Loss LDPE Dielectric
• 2.5mm² Oxygen Free Copper
• X-TUBE™ Technology
• QED AirLoc™ Forté Plugs

Award winning heritage guaranteed

All QED cables are designed using the top down principle. XT25 represents the core musical performance trickled down from our money-no-object Supremus cable in a more affordable package. 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.

X-Tube™ Technology….but with a twist

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.

Low-Loss Dielectric

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.

99.999% Oxygen-Free Copper

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.

Just Listen

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

Specification:

• Please note, you need to enter a quantity of 2 for a pair
• Length : Custom
• Cross-sectional area: 2.5 mm2
• Outer Diamter 7.60 mm x 4 mm
• 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
• Lifetime Guarantee

Plug Termination

At Future Shop, we understand the importance of high-quality termination for achieving the best audio performance from your speaker cables. That’s why we offer two exceptional options: the trusted QED AIRLOC banana and spade plugs and the Elite Reference Series banana and spade plugs, both designed to deliver seamless connectivity and exceptional sound quality.

QED AIRLOC Plugs: A Proven Standard for Hi-Fi Performance

The QED AIRLOC banana and spade plugs have long been regarded as a benchmark in speaker cable termination. Featuring a cold-weld (air-tight) design, these plugs eliminate the need for soldering, ensuring a clean, reliable connection between your cables and audio equipment. This method creates an airtight fusion between the cable and plug, minimising resistance, preventing oxidation, and maximising signal transfer for pristine sound quality.

QED’s banana plugs incorporate a high-quality design, with 24K gold plating to enhance conductivity and protect against corrosion. The spade plugs, while lacking an outer metal barrel, still deliver dependable performance and an excellent connection for a wide variety of speaker setups. For audiophiles seeking trusted reliability and strong performance, QED AIRLOC plugs remain an outstanding choice.

Elite Reference Series Plugs: Next-Level Audio Connectivity

Building on the success of the QED AIRLOC plugs, the Elite Reference Series banana and spade plugs take performance and durability to the next level. Also featuring a cold-weld design, these plugs ensure an airtight, solder-free bond that delivers maximum signal transfer and long-term reliability.

The Elite Reference plugs are engineered with additional advantages that make them stand out:

1. AirTite Ferrule-Free Design - Unlike traditional plugs that use ferrules, the Elite Reference plugs opt for direct conductor-to-plug contact, removing any potential barriers to signal transfer. Featuring four different inlet sizes, these plugs are perfectly tailored to fit various cable gauges with a cold-weld, air-tight design, that eliminates soldering, reduces resistance, prevents oxidation, and enhances durability.
2. Beryllium Copper Core with 24K Gold Plating - The banana plugs feature a beryllium copper core, known for its exceptional mechanical strength and conductivity. This material resists corrosion and retains its shape, maintaining a tight and reliable connection over time. The 24K gold plating ensures a smooth, high-quality signal path while adding durability for years of consistent performance.
3. Dual Functionality - Designed as BFA and banana plug compatible the Elite Reference banana plugs provide greater versatility, making them suitable for a broader range of speaker terminals. This added functionality ensures compatibility with high-end Hi-Fi setups and equipment.
4. Silver Core Spade Plugs with Metal Barrel Protection - The spade plugs in the Elite Reference Series incorporate a silver base plated with 24K gold, offering superior conductivity compared to many alternatives. Unlike other spade plugs, the Elite Reference spades also include a durable metal outer barrel, providing additional protection and a premium finish.
5. The Elite Reference plugs are manufactured in Taiwan, a region renowned for its precision engineering and high-quality manufacturing standards. This ensures that every plug is built to exact specifications, offering exceptional consistency, reliability, and performance.

Both the QED AIRLOC and Elite Reference Series plugs are excellent choices for ensuring the best possible performance from your Hi-Fi system. While the QED AIRLOC plugs provide trusted reliability and high-quality connections, the Elite Reference Series plugs offer enhanced conductivity, ferrule-free direct contact, and added durability with their premium materials and design features.

If you’re looking for a cost-effective and proven solution, the QED AIRLOC plugs are a fantastic option. However, if you’re seeking the next step in performance, versatility, and build quality, the Elite Reference Series plugs are designed to meet the demands of audiophiles who want the best from their speaker cables.

A Professional Plug Termination Service

Whichever plug you choose, you can trust Future Shop to professionally terminate your cables to the highest standard. Our experienced engineers ensure that each connection is secure, precise, and optimised for maximum performance. Both the QED AIRLOC and Elite Reference plugs are terminated using our high-pressure cold-weld process, guaranteeing airtight connections and minimising signal loss.

With these expertly engineered plugs, you’ll enjoy superior sound quality, dependable connections, and peace of mind knowing your audio setup is performing at its best. Let Future Shop help you create the perfect Hi-Fi experience with our range of premium speaker cable termination options.

How to Order

From the dropdown menus' above, simply select the length of cable, the type of plugs required at the ‘Amplifier end’ and ‘Speaker end’ and click on the 'Add to Basket' button to add the item to your basket. Your cable will be dispatched as soon as it has been made by Future Shop's or the manufacturer’s engineers and has completed the specified burn-in process (if any), subject to Future Shop’s Terms & Conditions and stock availability.

About QED Cables 

QED is an award winning British company with over 40 years of experience in the audio-visual connectivity industry.

In 1973 Bob Abraham and Ian Vine founded QED Audio Products and changed the way people think about hi-fi cables. By the time QED 79 strand speaker cable was launched in 1978, it wasn’t looked upon as ‘just another speaker cable’ but was instead regarded as a serious hi-fi component, making a fundamental change in the way people thought about cables.

QED's reputation for innovation and technical excellence is known throughout the world. The latest computer-aided design techniques allow their research and development team to keep pace with technological advances and deliver products that achieve the highest levels of performance and reliability. This is why QED products are recommended by so many of the world’s leading hi-fi and home theatre equipment manufacturers.

QED offer a range of connectivity products spanning from both consumer and installation cables, wireless products and switching devices to satisfy every audio visual need.

QED is Europe's number one award winning connectivity brand and has won more prestigious cable awards from ‘What Hi-Fi? Sound & Vision’ magazine than any other brand (Awards 1981–2013).