QED XT25 Unterminated Speaker Cable (Per Metre)

The QED XT25 sits within QED’s Performance range of speaker cables, positioned above the entry-level Original and Classic 79 Strand, and below the Reference XT40i and Signature Genesis Silver Spiral. It is designed for systems where cable performance matters but the budget for a Reference-tier cable is not justified — bridging the gap between QED’s affordable classics and their high-end offerings.

At the heart of the XT25 is QED’s X-Tube™ conductor geometry. Rather than using a conventional solid or bundled conductor, the XT25 arranges ten bundles of 19/0.13 mm 99.999% oxygen-free copper strands into a hollow tubular formation around a central air core. This addresses two well-documented phenomena in audio cable design: the skin effect, where higher-frequency signals migrate to the outer surface of a conductor, and the proximity effect, where adjacent conductors distort each other’s current distribution. By forming the conductors into a tube with a hollow centre, the XT25 maintains a more uniform current density across the audio band, reducing timing errors and phase distortion.

The conductor bundles are twisted into a 90 mm lay length, which further counteracts proximity effect by ensuring that no single conductor remains in close proximity to its neighbour for an extended run. The total cross-sectional area is 2.5 mm² (14 AWG), delivering a loop resistance of just 13.4 mΩ per metre — low enough to minimise resistive losses even on longer cable runs typical of home cinema installations or dedicated listening rooms.

Insulation and Dielectric

QED specifies low-density polyethylene (LDPE) insulation for the XT25, wrapped in a 100% aluminium Mylar tape shield. LDPE is preferred over PVC in audio cable applications because it stores and releases less energy during signal cycles, reducing dielectric absorption and the associated signal smearing. The Mylar tape provides a degree of electromagnetic screening, helping to reject external interference without adding significant bulk or stiffness to the cable.

Construction and Installation

The XT25 is a parallel twin conductor design with a jacket outside diameter of 3.96 mm. The flat-profile construction separates easily for bi-wiring or individual speaker runs. This unterminated version is sold per metre, allowing custom-length installations. It can be terminated with QED’s Airloc™ Forte banana plugs, Airloc spade connectors, or left bare for direct connection to binding posts.

What the Press Says

• “Even at this budget price, the QED doesn’t disappoint for clarity and detail” — What Hi-Fi? ★★★★★ (February 2018)