Merlin Cables
British cable maker founded in 2002 and based in Hertfordshire, building mains, speaker and signal cables in the UK. Relaunched in 2024 with new research and a redefined range, sold direct rather than through the usual dealer margin.
About Merlin Cables
Quick Access
Merlin, and what changed in 2024
Merlin started in 2002 with a narrow brief: a focused range of cables that performed above their price. The Tarantula mains cable made the name, the MK6 version taking What Hi-Fi?'s Best Mains Cable award in 2010, and for over a decade the company built quietly on that reputation rather than expanding for its own sake.
Future Shop acquired Merlin in 2023 and relaunched it in 2024: new research behind the designs, a redefined product hierarchy, and the Tarantula speaker cable as the first product out. The range widened through 2025 to cover speaker, RCA, XLR, Ethernet and USB under the same name.
Owning the brand is the part that matters commercially. A cable that passes from a brand owner through a distributor before it reaches a retailer carries two margins on the way. Merlin carries neither, so the money goes into the cable rather than into the chain. The reviews since the relaunch suggest that is what has happened: The EAR judged the Tarantula speaker cable to be worth buying at twice the price, and it has also been reviewed by What Hi-Fi? and HiFi & Music Source.
Merlin is the only British cable brand offering IEC, Figure 8, US, European and Australian terminations across the mains range. Everything is built in the UK, and cables can be made to a specific requirement rather than only in stock configurations.
Browse by Range
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£82.50Ex. VATTarantula is Merlin's entry-level unit. It features an extruded aluminium case and IEC inlet so can be used with the power cable of your choosing. Ideally paired with the award-winning Tarantula power cable.
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SALE
Merlin Cables
Merlin Tarantula 6-Way UK Mains Block & Power Cable ComboSKU: Tarantula 6-Way Combo
(9 reviews)From£129.16 £144.99Ex. VAT ✓ Save £15.83The Merlin Tarantula MK6 UK Mains Power Cable and Merlin Tarantula 6 Way Mains Block offer a premium solution for audiophiles. The power cable ensures cleaner, more dynamic sound, while the mains block provides reliable power distribution with anti-magnetic properties. Together, they optimize your audio system for superior performance and a refined listening experience.
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£13.33Ex. VAT
Awarded Best Buy from The Ear, Best of 2025 from HIFI & Music Source, and 5 Stars from What Hi-Fi?!
The Merlin Tarantula Speaker Cable combines 99.99% OFC copper conductors, XLPE insulation, and cotton damping in a slim 8.8mm jacket – delivering a flexible, high-performance solution at a competitive price. Available with Elite Reference cold-weld plugs for maximum connectivity and reliability.
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£25.00Ex. VATThe Merlin Tarantula Jumper Lead combines 99.99% OFC copper conductors, XLPE insulation, and cotton damping in a slim 8.8mm jacket – delivering a flexible, high-performance solution at a competitive price. Available with Elite Reference cold-weld plugs for maximum connectivity and reliability. -
From£150.00Ex. VATVerdi is the first model in the range to use an oposing double-helical spiral construction of 12 x HCT & IRC Oxygen Free Copper Conductors. Lifetime Warranty. Next Day Delivery. -
SALE£76.66 £96.67Ex. VAT ✓ Save £20.01Awarded Best Buy from The Ear, Best of 2025 from HIFI & Music Source, and 5 Stars from What Hi-Fi?!
The Merlin Tarantula Speaker Cable combines 99.99% OFC copper conductors, XLPE insulation, and cotton damping in a slim 8.8mm jacket – delivering a flexible, high-performance solution at a competitive price. Available with Elite Reference cold-weld plugs for maximum connectivity and reliability.
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SALEMerlin Cables
Merlin Tarantula Speaker Cable Pair 2.5m Ex-DemoSKU: Tarantula Speaker 2.5m Pair Ex-Demo
£87.49 £110.00Ex. VAT ✓ Save £22.51Awarded Best Buy from The Ear, Best of 2025 from HIFI & Music Source, and 5 Stars from What Hi-Fi?!
The Merlin Tarantula Speaker Cable combines 99.99% OFC copper conductors, XLPE insulation, and cotton damping in a slim 8.8mm jacket – delivering a flexible, high-performance solution at a competitive price. Available with Elite Reference cold-weld plugs for maximum connectivity and reliability.
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NEWFrom£75.00Ex. VATThe Merlin Tarantula RCA is a four-core interconnect built with 4N copper conductors, XLPE insulation and dual-layer shielding, delivering a full-bodied, natural sound with UK hand-termination for consistent quality.
