Chord Rumour X Speaker Cable

Item code: Rumour X

4.9 88 reviews ✓ Verified
This multi-award-winner from Chord packs a surprising punch for such a small cable. Featuring XLPE insulation and silver-plated OFC the Rumour X offers impressive clarity and a cohesive, dynamic sound.
£26.00
£19.50
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Cable Length *

Select the desired length for your cable from the drop-down menu.

More Options (63)

Termination *

If you want Future Shop to terminate your speaker cable with our special range of plugs, select Banana/BFA/Z-Plug or Spade plugs from the drop-down menu. We offer a wide range of options on how our highly trained and experienced engineers can fit the plugs to your selected cable. If an option is not available for your requirements, please call us on 0800 772 3688 or 0208 905 1555. All cables are tested for signal integrity before shipping.

● Amplifier End
● Speaker End

Different connectors at each end are fine — call us if unsure

Burn-In *

We can burn-in your cable for up to 96 hours FREE of charge using our Nordost VIDAR cable burner. This is a £3000 machine that will optimise the performance of your cables from day one. This means the cables will be in optimum performance mode when you receive them, so you'll be able to make a performance assessment quickly rather than waiting 70 hours+ of usage. The result of conditioning cables with the Nordost VIDAR is, improved sound staging, increased detail, and an overall more musical presentation. Please Note: we are unable to burn-in cables with stripped bare ends, BFA-only plugs, or no plugs selected. (This does not apply to BFA/Banana plugs). Cables are burnt-in for the selected period AFTER your order has been processed. This service is offered at Future Shop's discretion and we cannot guarantee all burn-in requests are fully completed during busy periods.

Configured total
£19.50 Ex. VAT
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SPEAKER CABLES:

A quantity of 2 means you will receive a pair of speaker cables e.g. for your front left and front right speakers. By entering a quantity of 1, you will get a cable for a single speaker e.g. centre speaker and this option also enables you to vary the length (and termination) of your cable for each speaker.

OTHER CABLES:

A quantity of 1 means you will receive a single cable in the case of aerial, satellite, subwoofer, digital coaxial & optical cables and a pair of cables in the case of 2 rca to 2 rca analogue audio cables.

NON-CABLE PRODUCTS:

A quantity of 1 means you will receive 1 of the specified products.

£19.50 ex. VAT
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Our promise: 60-day returns · Free burn-in · Built in our UK workshop · 10 Years warranty · Expert support on every order
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Chord Rumour X Speaker Cable

Chord Rumour X Product of the Year

 

This multi-award-winner from Chord packs a surprising punch for such a small cable. Featuring XLPE insulation and silver-plated OFC, the Rumour X offers impressive clarity and a cohesive, dynamic sound.

 

What Chord Company say

Chord Rumour was Chord's  second attempt at producing a speaker cable. The first two being Myth and Legend – copper and polyethylene flat cables in single and bi-wire configuration. Chord were also investigating speaker cables that used silver-plated conductors in combination with PTFE insulation. Chord had been experimenting with twisted pair conductor configurations, as at the time, heavy gauge parallel conductors were the standard for speaker cables. By twisting the conductors together, Chord could hear the noise floor of the system improve. Chord reached an ideal twist ratio and designed the cable around this.

When Chord launched Chord Rumour in 1996, it was one of the smallest speaker cables available (16 AWG). Retailers would take it into their demo rooms looking dubious and come out looking surprised and delighted. It sounded a lot bigger than it looked, it carried detail and dynamics really well and it was more coherent than just about any other cable around. As people got over the size and listened, rather than looked, it became a very popular cable. Apart from cosmetic changes it remained unchanged for many years.

The size, the colour and the performance mean it’s still a popular cable. Chord's Shawline shielded speaker cable shares the same conductors.

Previous versions of Rumour speaker cables used PTFE insulation (often referred to as Teflon™) and until the arrival of Taylon®, this was Chord's “go to” material. Although expensive, PTFE offered the best performance.

Material technology is constantly developing and improving and alternatives to PTFE are now available. While the high cost of Taylon® prevents Chord from using this in all of their ranges, they were able to find a suitable family of insulation materials known as XLPE (Cross-linked Polyethylene). One version of this material looked particularly interesting and following listening tests, proved to be clearly better than the PTFE in Rumour speaker cable – now known as Rumour X.

 

ChordOhmic Silver-Plated Banana & Spade Plugs

Chords ChordOhmic silver-plated loudspeaker plugs are designed to bring both the electrical and sonic benefits of silver to speaker cables.
Silver-plating not only makes sense from an electrical point of view, it can give an audibly superior result during listening tests, when compared with gold plated connectors. Plugs will also benefit from a major clean, using a good contact cleaner or enhancer. 

 

 

Chord Rumour X 5 World Review in Hi-Fi World

"While the RumourX may look rather slim its sound is anything but. In true Chord fashion this cable has a crisp, sprightly and dynamic sound to it, with good punch in the lower registers...

The RumourXs are not totally neutral, erring slightly towards a lively presentation that suits upbeat tracks particularly well. But that doesn’t mean they can’t do delicate." (Read More)

5 World Review - Hi-Fi World September 2019

 

 

Specification:

  • Chord Rumour 2 Speaker Cable
  • Please note, you need to enter a quantity of 2 for a pair
  • Conductor: Silver-plated OFC
  • Insulation: XLPE
  • Configuration: Twisted pair
  • Shielding: None. PVC outer jacket
  • AWG: 16
  • mm2: 1.31
  • Diameter: 6mm
  • Terminal connectors - Optional. Choice of Chord's Banana or Chord Spade terminal plugs as shown in the cable picture
  • 10 Years Warranty

 

Termination

Futureshop Approved Chord Ohmic Terminator

This cable is custom-made according to customers specific requirements as selected by the various drop-down options above. Future Shop’s highly experienced engineers professionally terminate Chord Cable’s using their superb silver-plated ChordOhmic plugs.

ChordOhmic is Chord’s new silver-plated termination option designed to bring both the electrical and sonic benefits of silver to your speaker cable. Future Shop terminates Chord speaker cables using Chord’s special HEXGUN. An airtight crimp is applied to the plug creating a secure and protected termination. This is a solder-free, airtight fusion between the cable and plug offering optimum signal transfer, excellent signal quality and perfect long-term performance. Furthermore, the banana plug itself is in contact with the binding post again at 360 degrees. The net effect of this is it maximises the signal transfer from the plug into your equipment and hence a superior performance. When a bare wire is used not all the conductors are in contact with the binding post and as a result, some loss occurs.

In addition to the ChordOhmic plugs, Chord has introduced a 4mm crimp-fit banana plug with premium gold plating, designed for use with the Chord Company Hex-Gun crimp tool. This crimp version ensures reliable and durable connections, providing cost-effective, high-quality performance while reducing resistance and maintaining signal integrity and sound clarity.

 

Chord Company Speaker Cable Terminations

Elite Reference Series Plugs: Next-Level Audio Connectivity

The Elite Reference AirTite plugs offer significant advantages over traditional screw-based speaker cable plugs. Unlike screw designs, which may loosen over time and potentially impact the connection and sound quality, the Elite Reference plugs use a cold-weld method to create a secure and reliable bond between the cable and the plug. This helps maintain consistent performance and minimises signal loss, supporting clear and high-quality audio. With a ferrule-free design for direct signal transfer, beryllium copper cores, and 24K gold plating, they are engineered for enhanced conductivity and long-lasting durability. The addition of protective metal barrels further reinforces their professional-grade construction, making them an excellent choice for those who value dependable audio connections.

The Elite Reference plugs are engineered with additional advantages that make them stand out:

  1. AirTite Ferrule-Free Design - Unlike traditional plugs that use ferrules, the Elite Reference plugs opt for direct conductor-to-plug contact, removing any potential barriers to signal transfer. Featuring four different inlet sizes, these plugs are perfectly tailored to fit various cable gauges with a cold-weld, air-tight design, that eliminates soldering, reduces resistance, prevents oxidation, and enhances durability.
  2. Beryllium Copper Core with 24K Gold Plating - The banana plugs feature a beryllium copper core, known for its exceptional mechanical strength and conductivity. This material resists corrosion and retains its shape, maintaining a tight and reliable connection over time. The 24K gold plating ensures a smooth, high-quality signal path while adding durability for years of consistent performance.
  3. Dual Functionality - Designed as BFA and banana plug compatible the Elite Reference banana plugs provide greater versatility, making them suitable for a broader range of speaker terminals. This added functionality ensures compatibility with high-end Hi-Fi setups and equipment.
  4. Silver Core Spade Plugs with Metal Barrel Protection - The spade plugs in the Elite Reference Series incorporate a silver base plated with 24K gold, offering superior conductivity compared to many alternatives. Unlike other spade plugs, the Elite Reference spades also include a durable metal outer barrel, providing additional protection and a premium finish.
  5. The Elite Reference plugs are manufactured in Taiwan, a region renowned for its precision engineering and high-quality manufacturing standards. This ensures that every plug is built to exact specifications, offering exceptional consistency, reliability, and performance.

 

How to Order

From the dropdown menus' above, simply select the length of cable, the type of plugs required at the ‘Amplifier end’ and ‘Speaker end’ and click on the 'Add to Basket' button to add the item to your basket. Your cable will be dispatched as soon as it has been made by Future Shop's or the manufacturer’s engineers and has completed the specified burn-in process (if any), subject to Future Shop’s Terms & Conditions and stock availability.

About The Chord Company Made in United Kingdom

The Chord Company is dedicated to offering excellence in audio and audio visual cable design. Chord products have earned numerous accolades in the audio and recording industries over the past two decades. Based in Salisbury UK, The Chord Company continues to drive cable design and technology to its limits with the majority of its spectacular array of performance products designed and made in the UK.

About Chord Company

English cable maker that designs and hand builds in Wiltshire, known for its ARAY conductor technology.

Chord describes its cables as designed and hand built in England, at Amesbury in Wiltshire. The catalogue covers interconnects, speaker cables, power cables, HDMI cables, Burndy cables and accessories. ARAY conductor technology, and its Tuned ARAY refinement, appears across several of the ranges, from analogue interconnects to digital and USB cables.

Read more about Chord Show less

ARAY conductors appear in several ranges

ARAY is Chord's conductor geometry. The Signature digital cables pair it with silver-plated oxygen-free copper conductors, PTFE insulation and silver-plated braid and foil screening. Tuned ARAY is a later development of the same idea and appears in the Epic, Signature, Sarum and Shawline ranges, while ClearwayX carries ARAY.

Power and grounding get the same attention

Chord extends its ARAY work beyond signal cables, with PowerARAY, GroundARAY, PowerHAUS mains products and the PhonoARAY grounding product. ChorAlloy is another named Chord technology. Grounding and mains products work on a different part of the chain from signal cables, so they are the place to look when noise is the problem in your system.

Named ranges from one English maker

The ranges are Leyline, C-series, Clearway, Shawline, Epic, Signature and Sarum T, with ChordMusic as a further line. Chord describes its cables as English design and hand construction, so choosing a range comes down to your budget and your system, not to changing approach.

Why we stock Chord

A lot of our customers own Naim. Naim's DIN inputs need a specific cable that most brands simply do not make, and Chord build them properly, in Wiltshire, by hand. If you are running a Naim system and you want an interconnect that fits it correctly, this is where you end up. We have stocked them since 2007.

Shop all Chord Company →

Specification:

  • Chord Rumour 2 Speaker Cable
  • Please note, you need to enter a quantity of 2 for a pair
  • Conductor: Silver-plated OFC
  • Insulation: XLPE
  • Configuration: Twisted pair
  • Shielding: None. PVC outer jacket
  • AWG: 16
  • mm2: 1.31
  • Diameter: 6mm
  • Terminal connectors - Optional. Choice of Chord's Banana or Chord Spade terminal plugs as shown in the cable picture
  • 10 Years Warranty

We use Royal Mail 1st Class services for our Standard Delivery.

Orders received before 4.30 pm Monday to Friday are usually dispatched the same day by FIRST CLASS post (unless premium postal or timed courier services are selected), subject to stock availability. This does not apply to custom-length cables and speaker cables as these require a longer timescale to terminate. This also excludes all cables selected for the burn-in service. Please note, we do not process orders on national holidays in the UK. Over 98% of our orders are delivered the next working day including Saturdays.

 

Standard delivery is usually within 2 working days, although 98% of all orders are delivered the next working day including Saturdays. In extreme cases, such as delivery to the Highlands and Islands, this may take 3 days.

 

All items are fully insured and come with an invoice from Future Shop. We use the Royal Mail for delivery of small packages and DPD Local or DHL for items that weigh over 2KG. Items over 2KG are fully insured and will usually be delivered within 48 hours of placing your order subject to stock availability. For international orders, we use FedEx or DHL services where customers have selected this option.

 

 

Please note, special orders for non-standard cable lengths may be subject to longer deliver time-scales. This may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

 

We offer 'Free delivery on orders over £99' subject to the following terms & conditions:

  • Applies only to orders with £99 or more of items (including VAT at the UK rate), at Future Shop
  • Free Delivery on orders over £99 utilises Royal Mail First Class postal service for items weighing under 2KG. For items weighing over 2KG, we use DPD or DHL next working day services which deliver from 9.00am to 6pm within mainland UK (excludes Royal Mail Special Delivery Services and timed next day delivery services by DPD or DHL).
  • Applies only to deliveries to addresses within mainland UK and Northern Ireland addresses. Applies only to orders that are to be delivered to a single Mainland UK delivery address.
  • You will not be eligible for free delivery on your order if any items are cancelled or returned for a refund, bringing the total order amount below £99. Where items are returned, the refund due will be the cost of the item less any postage costs.
  • We reserve the right to change or discontinue 'Free delivery on orders over £99 promotion at any time.
  • FREE DELIVERY FOR ORDERS OVER £99 OFFER DOES NOT APPLY TO TRADE CUSTOMERS.

 

UK Postal & Delivery Charges - FIRST CLASS

Free UK delivery on all orders over £99*

Weight Price (FIRST CLASS UK POSTAGE)
0g - 1000g £3.95
1000g - 1400g £4.95
1400g - 1800g £5.95
1800g - 2000g £6.95
2000g - 3000g £8.95


* Free Delivery on orders over £99 utilises Royal Mail First Class postal service for items weighing under 2KG. For items weighing over 2KG, we use DPD or DHL next working day services which deliver from 9.00am to 6pm within mainland UK.

Free Delivery for orders over £99 excludes Royal Mail Special Delivery Services and timed next day delivery services by DPD or DHL.

 

Special Delivery UK - Guaranteed Next Working Day

We have 99.9% of the UK covered With Royal Mail Next Day Special Delivery. We guarantee delivery to most UK addresses by 1pm the next working day. This includes Northern Ireland, Jersey and Guernsey. Some places take longer to deliver to but we still guarantee delivery within three working days by 5.30 PM.

 

Please note, Royal Mail Special Delivery for next working day may not be possible where non-standard cable lengths are ordered. If this is the case, the item will be shipped via The Royal Mail Special Delivery service as soon as the cable is custom made.

 

For orders weighing over 2KG, we reserve the right to ship items using Next Day Pre-Noon Courier Services where Royal Mail Special Delivery option has been selected.

 

Channel Islands & Northern Ireland

We accept orders from all Channel Islands including Alderney, Jersey, Guernsey and Sark. Unless you select a premium service, Items weighing under 2KG are delivered using our standard UK delivery option above. For items weighing over 2KG, a surcharge may be applied for all deliveries to the Channel Islands as well as Northern Ireland.

 

European Countries

Deliveries to EU member states are not subject to 20% VAT after December 31st 2020 and therefore the 20% VAT on items is automatically deducted when you log-in, register or proceed to place an order.

 

The customer will be liable for the VAT at the local VAT rate, duty on the import and the brokerage service fee if applicable. This may need to be paid in advance to your local Customs & Excise office or the delivery company before your order can be delivered.

 

We offer the following shipping services:

  • Royal Mail First Class International Airmail Services - Items are usually delivered within 3 to 5 working days
  • Royal Mail Standard International Mail Services - Items are usually delivered within 7-10 working days
  • DHL Express International - Items are usually delivered within 24 to 48 hours. DHL orders must be received by 3:30pm for next day service to most destinations in Europe
  • Federal Express International Priority - Items are usually delivered within 24 to 48 hours. FedEx orders must be received by 3.00pm for next day service to most destinations in Europe
  • Federal Express International Economy - Item are usually delivered within 48 to 72 hours

We reserve the right to change your shipping method without notification if you select a method that we cannot use for your shipment (for instance, we cannot ship via postal services for items over 2 Kg to International destinations). If we need to change your shipping method, we will choose the least expensive shipping method for your order.

 

Worldwide - Excluding UK & Europe

Deliveries outside of the UK are not subject to 20% VAT and so the 20% tax on items is automatically deducted when you log-in, register or proceed to place an order.

 

If applicable, the customer will be liable for the taxes at the local tax rate, duty on the import and the brokerage service fee. This may need to be paid in advance to your local Customs & Excise office or the delivery company before your order can be delivered.

 

We offer the following shipping services:

  • Royal Mail First Class International Airmail Services - Items are usually delivered within 7 to 10 working days
  • Royal Mail Standard International Mail Services - Items are usually delivered within 15 working days
  • DHL Express International - Items are usually delivered within 24 to 48 hours. DHL orders must be received by 3:30pm for next day service to most destinations in Europe
  • Federal Express International Priority - Items are usually delivered within 48 hours. FedEx orders must be received by 3.00pm in order to ship items the same day, subject to stock availability
  • Where the actual weight of the package significantly exceeds the shipping cost charged on orders, we may write to you for an additional shipping charge. For larger orders, items may be shipped in multiple packets at our discretion

We reserve the right to change your shipping method without notification if you select a method that we cannot use for your shipment (for instance, we cannot ship via postal services for items over 2 Kg to International destinations). If we need to change your shipping method, we will choose the least expensive shipping method for your order.

Write Your Own Review

Chord Rumour X Speaker Cable

We are interested in your opinion of this product. let us and other customers know how you feel by filling in the comment field below. Your review will appear in this section within 3 working days.

Please do:

  • - Write 50-300 words for the product
  • - Comment on the products value and effectiveness
  • - Tell us if you like the product, but most importantly explain why you like or dislike it
  • - Mention related products and how this one rates by comparison
4.9
88 reviews
5★
83 (94%)
4★
4 (5%)
3★
0 (0%)
2★
1 (1%)
1★
0 (0%)
AI Review Summary — Generated from 88 Reviews

The Chord Rumour X speaker cable receives widespread praise for delivering noticeable improvements in sound quality, particularly in clarity, soundstage, bass control, and midrange detail, at a competitive price point. Customers consistently highlight the cable's lightweight, flexible construction, which facilitates installation and routing, and note that pre-burn-in options enhance early performance. Service from FutureShop—including expert advice, professional termination, and swift delivery—is repeatedly commended. The ChordOhmic banana plugs are generally well-regarded, though some users report initial difficulty inserting them, requiring tools or technique adjustments. One reviewer noted the cable performs best when matched with mid-range amplifiers and speakers (£300–£600 range), with less impressive results in higher-end systems. A recurring minor complaint involves difficulty stripping and connecting bare wire without plugs, and the cable's thinness raises initial concerns for some buyers despite delivering strong performance.

Ian Rudge ✓ Verified Purchase
Top notch for the price 11 June 2026
Not the easiest to strip if using the cable without plugs. Futureshop wired up my last batch, and it was excellent.
Guy Thomas ✓ Verified Purchase
Super tweeter cable links 18 May 2026
Future Shop was so helpful in identifying which cable would make a suitable, flexible, but high-quality link cable for my super tweeters. I ended up deciding on the Chord Rumour X, which is an excellent cable for this project.

Awesome, thanks indeed
Chris Fong ✓ Verified Purchase
High-performance speaker cable 30 March 2026
Recently upgraded to the Chord RumourX, and the difference in clarity is remarkable. It produces a surprisingly big, open soundstage with excellent rhythmic timing.
Robert Wilson ✓ Verified Purchase
Rumour X 9 February 2026
I recently bought QAcoustics m20, which sounds good, but the bass is a bit overwhelming. A quick visit to Futureshop and Chord Rumour X was installed.

Bass is now controlled with the Rumour X laser-focused authority. Futureshop's soldering of the bare wire was a nice touch, ensuring it pokes easily into the speaker terminal!
Rob ✓ Verified Purchase
Very pleased with the upgrade in quality. 26 January 2026
Very pleased with the cables, which provided a noticeable improvement in soundstage, clarity, and tone. Considering the cost of some cables, they represented a good way to improve sound quality without spending serious money.

I was also very pleased with the service standard you get with Futureshop. They are very efficient, proactive and customer-focused (quite a rare quality these days).
Julien ✓ Verified Purchase
Amazing cables! 13 January 2026
These cables are amazing. The sound coming out of the speaker improved drastically: the bass is much more focused, the midrange comes to life, and the high end is much more refined and detailed, compared to the cheap cables I had for years.

So happy I decided to change, and the service from FutureShop was impeccable: the cables arrived very quickly, and the installation was super easy.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Chord Rumour X (and larger, Odyssey X) are only available in white. Other brands offer a black cable, such as the Atlas Hyper range of speaker cables
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Write Your Own Review

Chord Rumour X Speaker Cable

We are interested in your opinion of this product. let us and other customers know how you feel by filling in the comment field below. Your review will appear in this section within 3 working days.

Please do:

  • - Write 50-300 words for the product
  • - Comment on the products value and effectiveness
  • - Tell us if you like the product, but most importantly explain why you like or dislike it
  • - Mention related products and how this one rates by comparison

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