QED Classic 79 Strand Speaker Cable White (100m Reel)

The QED Classic 79 Strand sits one step above the entry-level 42 Strand in QED’s Classic series of unterminated speaker cables. Introduced in 1976, it was one of the first cables designed specifically for loudspeaker use — prior to this, most systems relied on twin mains cable or bell wire. The 79 Strand quickly established itself as an industry standard and remains the only cable to have received the Federation of British Audio TEST OF TIME Award.

Construction

Each conductor comprises 79 strands of high-purity oxygen-free copper (OFC) in a figure-8 (parallel twin) configuration. The 14 AWG gauge gives a cross-sectional area of 2.50 mm² per conductor, with a minimum stranded diameter of 2.10 mm. The twin conductors are enclosed in a white PVC jacket with an outer diameter of 4.00 mm, keeping the cable flexible and easy to route through walls, under floors, or along skirting boards.

Electrical Performance

Loop resistance is rated at 0.016 Ω/m, capacitance at 58 pF/m, and inductance at 0.66 µH/m. The dissipation factor is 0.0900. These figures reflect QED’s aim to minimise signal loss while keeping the cable practical for a wide range of hi-fi and home cinema installations.

Termination

This cable is supplied unterminated on a 100-metre reel, allowing installers and enthusiasts to cut to the required length and terminate with their preferred connectors. QED’s own ABS, Metal, and Mini Airloc banana plugs and spade connectors are designed as direct partners for the 79 Strand.

Applications

The 79 Strand is well suited to both permanent multi-room installations and standard hi-fi or home cinema speaker runs. Its combination of low resistance and flexible jacket makes it a practical choice for longer cable lengths where thicker, stiffer designs would be difficult to route.