Daniel J SaitQED has announced the release of its QED Reference XT40i speaker cable, QED Performance Audio 40i interconnect and QED XT25 Bi-Wire speaker cable.
An update to 2014’s award-winning XT40 speaker cable, the XT40i features several technological upgrades to further enhance its performance, in particular boasting an improved Air Gap dielectric construction, reducing the cable’s dissipation factor and capacitance by half,reportedly resulting in improved musical timing, a wider soundstage and improved bass control over its predecessor.
According to the manufacturer, the proprietary X-Tube technology means the XT40i exhibits less distortion at high frequencies than standard speaker cables, improving overall performance through a level of timing and imaging usually found on much more expensive cables.
Elsewhere, XT40i’s 4.0mm² cross sectional area lowers loop resistance, while its 99.999% oxygen-free copper construction offers improved conductivity over standard copper. These characteristics reduce listener fatigue and boost musicality, making longer listening sessions more comfortable and enjoyable.
Meanwhile, the Performance Audio 40i has undergone a complete overhaul on its predecessor with improvements made in almost all areas of the cable design, including, a QED first – the introduction of Solid Core Complementary Conductors over the previous standard conductor design.
Designed as a response to the results of QED’s Genesis Report. these stereo interconnects’ Solid Complementary Conductor technology reduces capacitance by a quarter compared to the original model, resulting in an enlargement of the stereo sound-stage.
Another innovation is the introduction of one oxygen free copper conductor and one silver plated oxygen free copper conductor to carry the same audio signal. The equivalent of having two cables in one this design helps provide an alternative route for high and low frequencies, reportedly reducing the ‘smearing’ and disruption of the audio signal which would otherwise occur in a single, one material conductor configuration. The upshot is improved rhythm, enhanced clarity and tighter control.
Ferrite insulation technology has been retained from the Performance Audio 40 to absorb high frequency noise and decrease timing errors and deliver a cleaner signal, while the use of QED’s Anamate RCA plugs means a reduction in “eddy currents” and an improvement in high frequency detail.
Building on the success of QED’s award-winning XT25 speaker cable, XT25 Bi-Wire is designed to bring the performance of QED’s X-Tube cable technology and X-Quad geometry to an affordable bi-wire or bi-amp speaker cable.
This new bi-wire version delivers enhanced rhythmic accuracy and musicality with the X-Quad geometry lowering inductance to reveal more detail. QED’s proprietary X-Tube X-Tube technology, enables each frequency to pass with equal ease for a more balanced sound, while improving timing and stereo imaging.
Elsewhere, a 99.999% Oxygen-free copper construction increases conductivity for a purer sound, while a low-loss, low density Polyethylene jacket minimises electrical energy loss in the cable insulation which can adversely affect the sound compared with cheaper PVC alternatives.
The manufacturer states that the result is “the single most impressive pound-for-pound upgrade your system you can have”.
All QED speaker cables offers a lifetime guarantee.
Pricing:
QED Reference XT40i speaker cable
QED Reference XT40i £11/m
QED Reference XT40i Pre-terminated 2M – £109.95 / $129.00
QED Reference XT40i Pre-terminated 3M – £129.95 / $159.00
QED Reference XT40i Pre-terminated 5M – £169.95 / $199.00
QED Performance Audio 40i interconnect
QED Performance Audio 40i 0.6M – £39.95 / $49.00
QED Performance Audio 40i 1M – £49.95 / $59.00
QED Performance Audio 40i 2M – £69.95 / $85.00
QED Performance Audio 40i 3M – £79.95 / $95.00 –
QED XT25 Bi-Wire speaker cable
QED XT25 Bi-Wire £12/m