Don't fall at the final hurdle of system building
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. instrumentation cable
You don't have to completely overhaul your system if you want a sonic upgrade; sometimes the simplest way to give you system a refresh is by updating the cables.
Whatever your opinion on the sensitive matter that is cables, it is undeniable that they make a difference. As passive components that carry sound between system components, speaker cables can't make your system sound better than it actually is; but the best ones are those that degrade the audio signal the least and ensure that every last drop of performance makes its way from your amplifier to your speakers.
Sub-par cables are often a limiting factor within a hi-fi system and can even make it sound worse than it really is, which is why we always recommend investing in the best cabling within your budget when buying or upgrading a system. Dedicating 10 per cent of your total system cost to speaker cables (and the interconnect audio cables between your electronics) is a good place to start.
So without further ado, here are the best speaker cables that our expert in-house reviews team has tested inside our state-of-the-art facilities, starting with the current What Hi-Fi? Award winner...
Chord's Rumour cable has been our go-to recommendation for years, and improved metallurgy for the latest 'X' version doesn't change that.
Looking for a solid starter cable for your modest hi-fi system? Chord Company's cheap C-Screen makes a whole lot of sense.
The extra transparency of the excellent Rocket 11 speaker cable makes it well worth that extra investment.
Load the next product ↓
A level-up, well-balanced cable that should work well in a wide range of systems.
I am What Hi-Fi?'s managing editor and have been reviewing and writing about hi-fi for over a decade, years of which I spent in our state-of-the-art testing facilities on a daily basis, going hands (and ears) on with every bit of kit that passed through its doors – including speaker cables. They may not be sexy, or the first thing you think about when system building, but overlook their importance to whole-system performance at your peril. Ideally, you should spend roughly 10 per cent of your system cost on cabling (speaker cables and interconnects), so if one of our tried-and-tested picks below aligns with your budget, know that it is a well-built cable that won't hinder your electronics' talents. Still, before buying, read our review to ensure its character will be compatible with your hardware.
December 2024: No new entries this time, although we have tested a new set of Ecosse cables recently – but they don't make the cut here. We've also flagged our current 2024 Award-winner in the speaker cables category.
The original Rumour was introduced way back in 1996 and at the time was only Chord’s second attempt at a speaker cable. This audiophile speaker cable has seen various iterations since then, with the previous five-star RumourX (2018) now superseded by the latest RumourX (2022) model.
It's incremental changes throughout, but all of these add up to a fine performance upgrade at this price.
Chord’s development work with high-end ranges such as ChordMusic and Sarum T showed significant improvements could be made to the Teflon dielectric material used. While the subsequent high-end solution of Taylon proved too expensive to use in products such as the RumourX, a more reasonably priced alternative XLPE (Cross-linked Polyethylene) was found instead in the 2018 model. Chord has introduced a new multi-metal alloy for the pug plating in the 2022 model (changed from the previous silver), which supposedly tarnishes less over time and offers better connection quality.
With the Chord cable plumbed-in, our reference hi-fi system delivers a crisp, clean and dynamic presentation, just as before. Our reviews team compare it to next to a sample of the previous-generation Rumour and found that the basic character of the cable hasn’t changed: "This is still a detailed and dynamically expressive performer that’s unusually surefooted when communicating rhythmic drive," our RumourX (2022) review reads.
But the bass performance is tauter, the top end is more refined and there's an ounce more subtlety. We’re impressed at the musically cohesive nature of the sound and the way our systems render subtle dynamic shifts with such finesse. It's not essential to upgrade if you already own the previous RumourX cables, but if they're looking a bit worn, this latest RocketX version will give your system a decent performance lift.
Read our full Chord Company RumourX (2022) review
Monetary savings are not necessarily accompanied by a reduced level of technology or care on Chord Company’s part. The C-Screen's specifications are similar to speaker wires further up the British brand's hierarchy.
Beneath its white outer jacket, the C-Screen features what Chord Company describes as multi-stranded oxygen-free copper conductors, insulated with low-density polyethylene and arranged in a twisted-pair configuration to reduce interference. The white outer covers a PVC casing designed to reduce mechanical noise and space the conductors correctly.
So what is all of that in today’s money? Essentially it translates to recognisable Chord Company performance, favouring your system's cohesion and musical performance over outright analysis. "Tracks... characterised by its drive are held together as if with superglue, but without ever sounding mechanical," notes our C-Screen review. Our in-house reviews team tested it within our top-level reference system and a more financially appropriate one, and with each the Chord impressed.
What it does well, it does better than anything else we’ve heard at this price, though if your system sounds warm enough already, you may prefer a cable that won’t significantly add to that. An alternative cable that prioritises space and detail is the QED XT25.
Read our full Chord Company C-Screen review
AudioQuest’s Rocket 11 – at the budget end of its Rocket range – could just be the hi-fi speaker cable to give your system a new lease of life. We love it so much it's been a What Hi-Fi? Award winner several years running now, having batted off new competition to keep its crown for many moons.
AudioQuest has taken a lot of care with the configuration and quality of the conductors used inside the Rocket 11. It uses semi-solid true-concentric conductors and long-grain copper – all to improve performance and reduce any interference that might degrade the sound.
There’s a perceptible improvement in the way systems perform when the Rocket 11 is plugged in, compared with rival speaker cables. Music sounds crisp and clean, with a punchy sense of dynamism that's a joy to listen to.
The similarly priced QED Reference XT40i lets through more detail and therefore could be the preferred choice for anyone whose hi-fi is built upon clarity and analysis, but we find the Rocket 11 offers more of a musical whole, which is a lot to do with dynamic expression and organisation, and that does it for us more so than the extra information. As our Rocket 11 review concludes, "the best thing this AudioQuest cable does is get out of the way and simply let you enjoy the music".
armored cable 16mm Read our full AudioQuest Rocket 11 review