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QED Silver Anniversary XT Speaker Cable - Custom Length
£7.50 Special Price £6.50 £5.42
SKU
C-QSAXT/100
Lifetime
New
24 hours
The multi-award-winning Silver Anniversary XT cable is QED's upgrade on the market-leading Silver Anniversary, with the addition of their X-Tube™ technology. The result is a cable that delivers precision and clarity with an open soundstage. We recommend you take advantage of pre-burn-in on our Nordost Vidar cable conditioning machine for 96 Hours. The result of conditioning cables with the Nordost VIDAR is: improved sound staging, increased detail, and an overall more musical presentation.
QED Silver Anniversary XT Speaker Cable - Custom Length
The multi-award-winning Silver Anniversary XT cable is QED's upgrade on the market-leading Silver Anniversary, with the addition of their X-Tube™ technology. The result is a cable that delivers precision and clarity with an open soundstage.
What QED say
Silver Anniversary-XT has been specifically designed as the natural replacement for the multi-award winning Silver Anniversary speaker cable. Combining the features of Silver Anniversary with the added enhancement of X-Tube™ technology to combat the skin effect and deliver stunning detail.
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"This excellent product has been our budget cable benchmark. Indeed, in 2007 it bagged a What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision gong for the third year running. Some may say it sounds a tad lean, but as long as you partner it with suitable electronics, you'll be privy to a fantastic sound." (Read more) What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision - June 2008
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High Performance Low Density Polyethylene Dielectric
Cuts down on the amount of audio signal energy lost due to cable capacitance
Silver Plated 99.999% OFC Conductors
Provides a low frequency path for the audio signal and delivers stunning high frequency detail
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X-Tube™ TechnologyAt low frequencies both X-Tube™ and conventional stranded/solid core speaker cables convey signals in a linear way. However, at high frequencies, X-TubeTM retains a near-linear signal transfer, whereas the conventional cables fail to conduct uniformly across the entire conductor area. In standard speaker cables at high frequencies current flow is highest at the periphery with rapidly deteriorating current density towards the centre of the conductor. The effect of this is to reduce the actual cross sectional area of the cable at 15kHz to less than 75% of that at low frequencies. This results in higher distortion and compromises the performance of the cable. X-TubeTM with polycore technology exhibits much lower self-inductance and is therefore less affected by this problem. The polycore technology reduces loop inductance to levels only achievable using more costly and difficult to terminate cables. The result is more high frequency detail, less distortion and greater performance. |
Specification :
- Please note, you need to enter a quantity of 2 for a pair
- Length : Custom
- Wire gauge - 16 AWG
- Unique SPOFC triple braid 5 x 16 x 0.1mm
- X-Tube™ technology
- Jacket Outer Diameter - 3.90mm
- Cross-sectional area - 1.50mm²
- Loop resistance - 0.021 Ω/m
- Capacitance - 50pF/m
- Inductance - 0.47 µH/m
- Dissipation factor - 0.0006
- Ideal for use in all installations
- QED Lifetime Guarantee
- Usually pre-burnt-in with Nordost Vidar for 96 Hours
Termination
This cable is professionally terminated by Futureshop's expert engineers using QED's superb 24 Carat gold plated AIRLOC termination plugs.
AIRLOC is QED's specialised loudspeaker termination method and offers the very best termination with QED speaker cables. This is a solder-free, airtight fusion between the cable and plug offering optimum signal transfer, excellent signal quality and perfect long-term performance.
QED’s AIRLOC FORTE metal banana and spade plugs deliver a superior performance over many plugs offered by rival manufacturers for the following reasons. Firstly, the plug is crimped around the conductors under high pressure using a special tool supplied by QED. No soldering is used and as a result the conductors are in contact with the plug 360 degrees which maximises the surface area contact. Furthermore, the banana plug itself is in contact with the binding post again at 360 degrees. The net effect of this is it maximises the signal transfer from the plug into your equipment and hence a superior performance. When bare wire is used not all the conductors are in contact with the binding post and as a result some loss occurs.
Unfortunately the metal barrels for the AIRLOC spades were discontinued in 2012 however we still use genuine QED’s AIRLOC spade plugs with genuine QED heat shrinks over the spade plugs. This ensures every QED speaker cable comes fully terminated with the best of QED's engineering.
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).
Specification :
- Please note, you need to enter a quantity of 2 for a pair
- Length : Custom
- Wire gauge - 16 AWG
- Unique SPOFC triple braid 5 x 16 x 0.1mm
- X-Tube™ technology
- Jacket Outer Diameter - 3.90mm
- Cross-sectional area - 1.50mm²
- Loop resistance - 0.021 Ω/m
- Capacitance - 50pF/m
- Inductance - 0.47 µH/m
- Dissipation factor - 0.0006
- Ideal for use in all installations
- QED Lifetime Guarantee
UK Delivery
1. We use Royal Mail 1st Class Services as a Standard Postage Option
Orders received before 4.30pm Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) are usually dispatched the same day by FIRST CLASS post (unless premium postal or timed courier services are selected), subject to stock availability. Over 98% of our orders are usually delivered the next working day including Saturdays.
Standard delivery is usually within 2-3 working days, although 98% of all orders are delivered the next working day including Saturdays . In extreme cases, such as delivery to the Highlands and Islands, this may take 3 days.
All items are fully insured and come with an invoice from Futureshop.co.uk. We use the Royal Mail for delivery of small packages and DPD or Interlink Express for items that weigh over 2KG. Items over 2KG are fully insured and will usually be delivered within 48 hours of placing your order Monday to Friday subject to stock availability. For International orders, we use FedEx Services where customers have selected this option.
Please note, special orders for non-standard cable lengths or custom-made cables may be subject to longer delivery time-scales. This may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
We offer 'Free UK delivery on orders over £99' subject to the following terms & conditions:
- Applies only to orders with £99 or more of items (including VAT at the UK rate), at FutureShop.co.uk
- Free Delivery on orders over £99 utilises Royal Mail First Class postal service for items weighing under 2KG. For items weighing over 2KG, we use DPD next working day services which deliver from 9.00am to 6pm within mainland UK (excludes Royal Mail Special Delivery Services and timed next day delivery services by UK Mail).
- Applies only to deliveries to addresses within mainland UK and Northern Ireland addresses. Applies only to orders that are to be delivered to a single Mainland UK delivery address.
- You will not be eligible for free delivery on your order if any items are cancelled or returned for a refund, bringing the total order amount below £99. Where items are returned, the refund due will be the cost of the item less any postage costs.
- We reserve the right to change or discontinue 'Free delivery on orders over £99 promotion at any time.
- FREE DELIVERY FOR ORDERS OVER £99 OFFER DOES NOT APPLY TO TRADE CUSTOMERS.
Free Delivery on orders over £99 utilises Royal Mail First Class postal service for items weighing under 2KG. For items weighing over 2KG, we use DPD or Interlink Express next working day services which deliver from 9.00am to 6pm within mainland UK.
Free Delivery for orders over £99 excludes Royal Mail Special Delivery Services and timed next day delivery services by DPD or Interlink Express.
2. Special Delivery UK - Guaranteed Next Working Day
We have 99.9% of the UK covered With Royal Mail Next Day Special Delivery. We guarantee delivery to most UK addresses by 1pm the next working day. This includes Northern Ireland, Jersey and Guernsey. Some places take longer to deliver to but we still guarantee delivery within three working days by 5.30 PM.
For the Next Day Special Delivery service, orders must be received by futureshop.co.uk by 4.30pm weekdays. Orders after the 4.30pm deadline cannot be guaranteed for same day dispatch.
Please note, Royal Mail Special Delivery for next working day may not be possible where non-standard cable lengths are ordered. If this is the case, the item will be shipped via The Royal Mail Special Delivery service as soon as the cable is custom made.
For orders weighing over 2KG, we reserve the right to ship items using Next Day Pre-Noon Courier Services where Royal Mail Special Delivery option has been selected.
3. Channel Islands & Northern Ireland
We accept orders from all Channel Islands including Alderney, Jersey, Guernsey and Sark. Unless you select a premium service, Items weighing under 2KG are delivered using our standard UK delivery option above. For items weighing over 2KG, a surcharge may be applied for all deliveries to the Channel Islands as well as Northern Ireland.
European Countries
Deliveries to EU member states are subject to 20% VAT. We offer the following shipping services:
- Royal Mail First Class International Untracked Airmail Services - Items are usually delivered within 10 working days.
- Royal Mail First Class International Tracked Airmail Services - Items are usually delivered within 3 to 7 working days.
- DHL Express International - Items are usually delivered within 24 to 48 hours. DHL orders must be received by 3:30pm for next day service to most destinations in Europe
- Federal Express International Priority - Items are usually delivered within 24 to 48 hours. FedEx orders must be received by 3.00pm for next day service to most destinations in Europe
- Federal Express International Economy - Item are usually delivered within 48 to 72 hours
Worldwide - Excluding UK & Europe
Deliveries outside of the EU are not subject to 20% VAT and so the 20% tax on items is automatically deducted when you login or register.
We offer the following shipping services:
- Royal Mail First Class International Untracked Airmail Services - Items are usually delivered within 15 working days.
- Royal Mail First Class International Tracked Airmail - Items are usually delivered within 10-15 working days.
- DHL Express International - Items are usually delivered within 48 hours. DHL orders must be received by 3:30pm in order to ship items the same day, subject to stock availability.
- Federal Express International Priority - Items are usually delivered within 48 hours. FedEx orders must be received by 3.00pm in order to ship items the same day, subject to stock availability.
Where the actual weight of the package significantly exceeds the shipping cost charged on orders, we may write to you for an additional shipping charge. For larger orders, items may be shipped in multiple packets.
Enhance Your Experience: Free Cable Burn-In Service with Nordost VIDAR Machine
Please take note of the following details regarding our cable burn-in service:
- Cable Compatibility: We regret to inform you that we cannot burn-in cables with stripped bare ends or BFA plugs. In order for cables to undergo the burn-in process, they should be terminated or have connectors.
- Timing: Cables will be burnt in for the selected period after processing your order. For custom-length cables, the burn-in process will occur after they have been terminated by the manufacturer or our engineers unless specified otherwise in the product description.
- Availability: Future Shop provides our cable burn-in service free of charge, but its availability is at our discretion. While we strive to fulfil all burn-in requests for the specified time periods, please understand that during exceptionally busy periods, we may be unable to meet the demand due to limited connections on the Nordost Vidar cable conditioning machines.
The Nordost VIDAR cable burn-in machine integrates three key functions into one operation:
- Charge Neutralisation: It eliminates charges that accumulate around the cables and their insulation, ensuring a more balanced electrical environment.
- Deep Conditioning: The machine provides a wide band and deep conditioning process that affects the conductor core, resulting in changes to the signal transmission through the metal. This deep conditioning enhances the cable's performance.
- Ultrasonic Surface Conditioning: The VIDAR machine utilizes ultrasonic waves to condition the surface of the conductors, optimizing their contact and overall conductivity.
The VIDAR employs a proprietary combination of composite and complex signals to condition the cables. These signals comprise ultra-low and ultra-high frequencies, extending beyond the range of video frequencies. The signal moves back and forth along the cable, penetrating deep into the core with ultra-low frequencies and traversing the surface with ultra-high frequencies. This transmission method generates beat harmonics between the two complex waveforms, which permeate all layers of the cable. The circuitry of the VIDAR also drives electrons from the conductor into the insulation area, neutralizing electrical charges.
So, what does this all mean for you?
The ultimate outcome of conditioning cables with the Nordost VIDAR is improved sound staging, increased detail, and an overall more musical presentation in your audio system.
Now, you may wonder why cable burn-in is necessary. During cable manufacturing, gasses become trapped as insulation is applied over the conductors. Additionally, new cables often possess high electrical charges, resulting in a brittle and bright sound that lacks the desired detail and depth for music production.
When cables undergo burn-in, the trapped gasses are dissipated, and small impurities in the conductor metals begin to exhibit diode-like behaviour, favouring current flow in a specific direction.
Here are the physical effects of the burn-in process:
- Charge Neutralisation: The burn-in process neutralizes charges in the conductors and insulation, promoting a more balanced electrical environment.
- Wide Bandwidth Frequencies: The conditioning affects how signals pass through the metal, enabling a wider range of frequencies to penetrate all cable layers.
- Signal Transmission: The burn-in process establishes the directionality of the cable, optimizing signal transmission from one end to the other.
When cables are properly burnt in, you can expect the following audible changes in your audio system:
- Fuller and Natural Sound: Your system should be capable of producing a more immersive and realistic performance with a fuller and more natural sound.
- Increased Detail: You may notice enhanced details and nuances in the music, allowing you to perceive subtle elements that were previously hidden.
- Improved Soundstage: The dimensionality of your system's soundstage can be greatly improved, creating a more spacious and immersive listening experience.
At Future Shop, our goal is to maximise your satisfaction. That's why we offer a free burn-in service on all our cables before they arrive at your door, enabling you to sit back and enjoy the benefits of properly conditioned cables in your audio system.
READ MORE ABOUT THE NORDOST VIDAR CABLE TREATMENT
Customer Reviews
5 /5.0 of 145 Reviews
Fantastic product, burnt-in to 96hrs
Colin Strain
22 Aug 2024
Verified Buyer
Futureshop are my go-to suppliers for quality cabling. Professionally constructed with premium connectors and burnt-in using Nordost for 96 hours. The difference this makes to the delivered sound is astonishing and extremely good value for money.
I would not hesitate to recommend this product and Futureshop's service.
I would not hesitate to recommend this product and Futureshop's service.
Beautifully made and feel premium, 2nd purchase
Bah
2 Aug 2024
Verified Buyer
This is my second time buying these cables with the QED banana plugs on one end. The build quality feels strong and looks very premium. They are also quite easy to cut and re-length, but thanks to the sturdy design and good insulation, they may be a bit difficult to bend initially (through walls, sharp angles, or small entrances).
These cables are my go-to from now, not just because of how they look, feel, or sound, but because I know they will last, because of QED's history, and because I know they will perform comfortably with any high-end system in the future. A futureproof cable from Futureshop UK.
Also, delivery was surprisingly quick. As always, the packaging is sturdy and safe, and it never arrives damaged.
Thank you!
These cables are my go-to from now, not just because of how they look, feel, or sound, but because I know they will last, because of QED's history, and because I know they will perform comfortably with any high-end system in the future. A futureproof cable from Futureshop UK.
Also, delivery was surprisingly quick. As always, the packaging is sturdy and safe, and it never arrives damaged.
Thank you!
Sound piercing clear with Q acoustic 5040s
Tim bagnall
6 May 2024
Verified Buyer
I was so impressed with my first set that I bought another set of pre-terminated cables and instantly noticed the difference from my old cables.
They really do make a difference.
They really do make a difference.
Speaker cables working well
Bernard
8 Feb 2024
Verified Buyer
I bought the QED Silver Anniversary XT speaker cables a week ago to connect my new Cambridge Audio bookshelf speakers with my 13-year-old Archam amplifier and a basic Flexon record turntable.
I am no expert on HIFI, but the setup seems to be working very well, so I am very pleased so far.
I am no expert on HIFI, but the setup seems to be working very well, so I am very pleased so far.
Top Service!
Ondrej M.
23 Sep 2023
Verified Buyer
Described in detail: terminated, carefully packed and dispatched very quickly so the cables arrived conveniently for the weekend as I had hoped.
I've had existing QED cables for my 3.0 Q Acoustics setup at home, meaning it was a no-brainer to get the same cable and banana plugs for the satellite speakers as well.
I highly recommend it.
I've had existing QED cables for my 3.0 Q Acoustics setup at home, meaning it was a no-brainer to get the same cable and banana plugs for the satellite speakers as well.
I highly recommend it.
Great service, great product.
Mark
12 Sep 2023
Verified Buyer
QED Cable with pre-fitted plugs arrived quickly. I fitted and tested. Everything works as it should. There are no loose plugs and no issues, so 100% fulfilled my requirements at an attractive price point. I would use Futureshop again.
Sonically, the cable is performing better than I expected, given the much longer length I changed to. It doesn't seem to be giving anything away to the more expensive and much shorter Chord cable I replaced, so I'm happy.
Sonically, the cable is performing better than I expected, given the much longer length I changed to. It doesn't seem to be giving anything away to the more expensive and much shorter Chord cable I replaced, so I'm happy.
Very good
Michael
6 Sep 2023
Verified Buyer
I used a thick Sommer Cable and wanted to try something different.
I had a pair of Silver Anniversary XT with Cambridge Audio BFA plugs.
The sound is less bass-heavy and more natural than full-bodied, slightly clearer. Some may say it is a little brighter than neutral, but still neutral with my Fosi audio TB10D, iFi signature first version, Inakustik cable (analogue and USB, not the stock version, above it) from my audio source selector short WBC cables to the amp, QED Sliver Anniversary to my Dynaudio emit M10 on Isoacoustics stands.
I had it terminated by myself long ago, so I can't remember how to terminate it.
For normal priced hifi, most people don't need more than 10 pounds or euros per speaker cable.
For the price, the QED Silver Anniversary XT is very good.
I had a pair of Silver Anniversary XT with Cambridge Audio BFA plugs.
The sound is less bass-heavy and more natural than full-bodied, slightly clearer. Some may say it is a little brighter than neutral, but still neutral with my Fosi audio TB10D, iFi signature first version, Inakustik cable (analogue and USB, not the stock version, above it) from my audio source selector short WBC cables to the amp, QED Sliver Anniversary to my Dynaudio emit M10 on Isoacoustics stands.
I had it terminated by myself long ago, so I can't remember how to terminate it.
For normal priced hifi, most people don't need more than 10 pounds or euros per speaker cable.
For the price, the QED Silver Anniversary XT is very good.
As good as ever!!
Colin
15 Jul 2023
Verified Buyer
I already have QED SAXT cable feeding my speakers, so basically, I stuck to what I know. It also tells that I love this cable!
It was first recommended to me by Sevenoaks HiFi when I bought my system. I remember when I was setting it up and decided for a giggle to use my old cheap crappy speaker cable for a bit and then swapped to the QED cable, and straight away, I could hear the difference, so if anyone tells you that speaker cable is just speaker cable you can retell them from that it ain't!!!!
First time using Futureshop, but it won't be the last; standout service, many, many thanks.
It was first recommended to me by Sevenoaks HiFi when I bought my system. I remember when I was setting it up and decided for a giggle to use my old cheap crappy speaker cable for a bit and then swapped to the QED cable, and straight away, I could hear the difference, so if anyone tells you that speaker cable is just speaker cable you can retell them from that it ain't!!!!
First time using Futureshop, but it won't be the last; standout service, many, many thanks.
A cable whose sonic worth is 5x its price.
Mike Lim
7 Jul 2023
Verified Buyer
Being ultra critical as one who uses a tube CDP to tube amp and ribbon speakers, I find it slightly lacks low-end dynamics, like the bass notes of solo piano. Also, on fast jazz piano, it is a tad slow compared to live. But I'm using tube to tube. If one or both ends are solid states, things might be different. Tone-wise, better than cables costing 5x more
Easy Upgrade
Pete B
3 Jul 2023
Verified Buyer
After moving house, I wanted a more discreet speaker cable than the Cabletalk 3.1 I'd had for 25 years. This sounded fine with my separates of the same age but was bulky and black.
The new cable is much sleeker, and you can barely see it running along the skirting board. To my untrained ear, it sounds better too! Service from Futureshop was great, too - I qualified for free standard delivery, but it still arrived the next day!
The new cable is much sleeker, and you can barely see it running along the skirting board. To my untrained ear, it sounds better too! Service from Futureshop was great, too - I qualified for free standard delivery, but it still arrived the next day!