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British audio specialist QED celebrates its 50th anniversary in style, with the introduction of its Golden Anniversary XT speaker cable.
Celebrating QED's 50th anniversary, the Golden Anniversary XT speaker cable is the culmination of five decades of dedicated research, engineering, and audio expertise. It is the ideal upgrade for any hi-fi enthusiast who wants to experience the sonic benefits of a high-end speaker cable at a real-world price.
Golden Anniversary XT speaker cable delivers a truly immersive listening experience with an open, spacious soundstage and a level of detail and clarity that will leave you breathless. Whether you’re listening to your favourite music or watching a movie, Golden Anniversary XT can bring your audio to life like never before.
Gold. What so many have done in pursuit of it - that precious metal that wields so much power in the world. But this cable is not gold nor the most precious length of metal (a rather accessible £27 per meter for QED’s new Golden Anniversary XT).
QED marks 50 years in the cable game by combining their most innovative technologies: X-Tube – building up from their popular XT25, XT40i and XT400, and Aircore – filtering down from their premium Genesis Silver Spiral. X-Tube arranges conductors around (you may guess) a tube, while Aircore arranges these tubes around (you may not guess) another tube. All these tubes aim to control the Skin Effect, while Aircore also solves the Proximity Effect. Essentially, these designs even out resistance across the frequency spectrum. It’s all for clear, dynamic sound, resulting in a tremendously successful range of speaker cables.
The technologies may no longer be new, but the execution in QED’s latest offering is. Golden Anniversary retains the gauge of XT25, then twists these cores around two insulators – copying the geometry of the Genesis Silver Spiral but leaving out the silver – a hybrid of two highly acclaimed cables. Being less of a handful than the Genesis, its lighter gauge makes for a slightly more workable cable, but still substantially built with that premium colour of pouring Champagne (owing to its gold-colour shielding). But its most attractive property is its sound.
The design combination lets through a beautifully rounded clarity from its forgiving, continuous cast copper conductors. Frequency presentation is well-balanced and tidily separated with an impressive depth. The obvious comparison is its cousin, XT400, which delivers more body and top-end detail without the spaciousness that Golden Anniversary XT borrows from its silver-plated elder sibling – Genesis Silver Spiral.
Would it be banal playing a track with ‘Gold’ in the title for testing? Yes, it would. But Sting’s Fields of Gold was a perfect piece for assessing a cable of Golden Anniversary’s qualities. The strings drifted smoothly over the snappy rimshots, and Sting’s textured voice was given a light polishing.
On to Saint-Saëns energetic Dance Macabre, and the delicate opening chimes of the harp shine until the string’s chords are allowed to build climatically into the orchestral sections owing much to the dynamics afforded by the cable.
So, with 50 years of experience and at £27 per metre, it could be that QED may really have struck gold.
British audio specialist QED celebrates its 50th anniversary in style, with the introduction of its Golden Anniversary XT speaker cable.
Representing the culmination of five decades of dedicated and extensive research, engineering and audio expertise, Golden Anniversary XT speaker cable is the ideal upgrade for any hi-fi enthusiast who wants to experience the sonic benefits of a high-end speaker cable - but at a real-world price.
QED’s innovative and proven X-Tube™ technology places a cable’s conductive material around a central hollow insulating rod - and the result is the elimination of the ‘skin effect’ that would otherwise force high-frequency analogue music signals to the outside of the conductor. And by combining X-Tube™ technology with its equally effective Aircore™ technology, QED also reduces the ‘proximity effect’ that can disrupt current distribution in a speaker cable.
The result is X-Tube™ Plus: a ground-breaking cable geometry that ensures Golden Anniversary XT is a speaker cable with even, consistent performance across the entire audible frequency range.
Golden Anniversary XT uses a unique hybrid blend of 99.99% oxygen-free copper (‘OFC’) and Ultra-Pure Ohno Continuous Cast Copper (‘UP-OCC’) to give the improved signal path and outstanding signal retention of ultra-pure copper conductors - but at a fraction of the price. Thanks to class-leading research and engineering, QED Golden Anniversary XT is the most affordable and attainable speaker cable to exploit the advantages of the continuous-casting process, with this hybrid theoretically improving the path for transients and high-frequency detail not available using just OFC alone.
If a speaker cable is to perform to its maximum potential, it’s important that the dielectric material which insulates and protects the central conductors of the cable does so efficiently. Golden Anniversary XT uses a specially developed and formulated low-density polyethylene (‘LDPE’), which works in unison with the cable’s X-Tube Plus configuration to deliver a speaker cable that has high-efficiency and a dissipation factor that is barely measurable.
Airloc™ is a specially developed cold-weld system for permanently attaching QED Forté banana plugs to the company’s entire range of speaker cables, Golden Anniversary XT included. The most vulnerable area of the speaker cable chain is the physical interface between the cable and the speaker or amplifier to which it’s connected - without effective termination, oxidation can occur, degrading the cable’s performance. By using a cold weld crimp-type termination, Forté banana plugs offer maximum resistance to oxidation - for the lifetime of the cable - by effectively turning the cable and the plug into a single, unified object.
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"Switching to an LP of Barbra Streisand singing You Don’t Bring Me Flowers, vocals are well positioned in front of the orchestral backing, which is sparkling and clear throughout the performance. The sensitive emotions are brilliantly conveyed in the opening section and when Streisand winds up the volume as the song progresses, the overall sound is quite spectacular." (Read More...) Recommended Product - Hi-Fi Choice - October 2023 |
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"...compared to high-end cables costing 10x more, QED’s Golden Anniversary XT represents stunning value. It’s equally refreshing to discover a cable whose technical specification precisely matches that found in our independent testing. All of which contributes to the reassurance of a brand, and cable, offering no-nonsense sound and build quality at a great price. In the sparsely populated world of hi-fi bargains, this one is Golden!” (Read More...) Editors Choice - hi-fi news - August 2023 |
Experience the pinnacle of audio connectivity with Futureshop's custom Hi-Fi cable service, offering professionally terminated cables to meet your specific requirements. Our expert engineers employ QED's exceptional 24 Carat gold plated AIRLOC termination plugs, ensuring top-notch signal transfer, excellent quality, and long-term performance.
QED's AIRLOC termination method represents the ultimate solution for connecting loudspeakers with QED speaker cables. It eliminates the need for soldering and instead creates an airtight fusion between the cable and plug, guaranteeing optimal signal transfer, pristine audio quality, and consistent performance over time.
Our AIRLOC FORTE metal banana and spade plugs outperform many alternatives on the market, and here's why: Each plug is crimped around the conductors using QED's specially designed tool under high pressure. This unique technique ensures 360-degree contact between the conductors and the plug, maximising surface area contact. Additionally, the banana plug establishes full contact with the binding post, again at 360 degrees. This meticulous construction facilitates superior signal transfer from the plug to your equipment, resulting in exceptional performance. In contrast, not all conductors are in full contact with the binding post when using bare wire, leading to signal loss.
While the metal barrels for the AIRLOC spades were discontinued in 2012, we still utilise genuine QED AIRLOC spade plugs, which are meticulously covered with genuine QED heat shrinks. This meticulous approach ensures that every QED speaker cable we offer is fully terminated with the highest standards of QED's engineering.
Trust Futureshop's custom Hi-Fi cable service to deliver a seamless connection between your audio equipment and speakers. Our professionally terminated cables, featuring QED's outstanding AIRLOC termination plugs, will elevate your audio experience to new heights. Enjoy uncompromising signal transfer, impeccable performance, and peace of mind from knowing you have the best audio connectivity.
Ordering your hi-fi cable from Future Shop is a breeze. Follow these simple steps to customise and secure your purchase:
Length Selection: Begin by selecting the desired length of your cable from the dropdown menu provided. Choose the appropriate measurement that suits your specific setup requirements.
Plug Selection: Next, specify the type of plugs you need for both the 'Amplifier end' and the 'Speaker end' of the cable. Select the plugs that best match your equipment and connectivity preferences from the dropdown menus.
Burn-In Time: If you prefer your cable to undergo a burn-in process for optimal performance, indicate the desired duration from the dropdown menu. Unless otherwise specified, all cables are pre-burnt in for 96 hours.
Add to Basket: Once you have made all the necessary selections, click on the 'Add to Basket' button. This action adds your customised cable to your shopping basket, bringing you one step closer to completing your order.
Dispatch and Delivery: After placing your order, Future Shop or the manufacturer's engineers will promptly manufacture your cable according to your specifications. It will then undergo the specified burn-in process if chosen. Once these processes are complete and subject to Future Shop's Terms & Conditions and stock availability, your cable will be dispatched for delivery.
Please remember that the dispatch time may vary depending on the complexity of your custom cable and the stock availability. Future Shop is committed to ensuring a smooth ordering process and providing you with high-quality products that meet your audio needs.
Discover the renowned excellence of QED Cables, a British company with an illustrious history spanning over four decades in the audio-visual connectivity industry.
QED Audio Products was established in 1973 by Bob Abraham and Ian Vine, and it quickly revolutionised the perception of hi-fi cables. In 1978, QED introduced the groundbreaking QED 79-strand speaker cable, which shattered the notion of cables being mere accessories and elevated them to the status of essential hi-fi components. This pivotal moment marked a paradigm shift in how people perceived the role of cables in audio systems.
QED has earned a well-deserved reputation for innovation and technical expertise, recognised worldwide. The company's research and development team utilises cutting-edge computer-aided design techniques to stay at the forefront of technological advancements. This commitment allows QED to deliver products that consistently achieve the highest levels of performance and reliability. As a result, QED cables are highly regarded and recommended by numerous leading hi-fi and home theatre equipment manufacturers across the globe.
QED offers an extensive range of connectivity solutions that cater to diverse audio-visual needs. Their product portfolio includes consumer and installation cables, wireless products, and switching devices. Whatever your requirements may be, QED is dedicated to providing the ideal solution to enhance your audio and visual experiences.
Furthermore, QED proudly holds the title of Europe's number one award-winning connectivity brand. Over the years, the company has received numerous prestigious cable awards from the esteemed 'What Hi-Fi? Sound & Vision' magazine. In fact, QED has amassed more awards from 1981 to 2013 than any other brand—a testament to its unwavering commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction.
Choose QED Cables to elevate your audio-visual setup to unparalleled levels of performance, reliability, and innovation. Join the countless enthusiasts and professionals who have made QED their preferred choice for connectivity solutions and experience the true power of exceptional audio-visual connectivity.
Orders received before 4.30pm Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) are usually dispatched the same day by FIRST CLASS post (unless premium postal or timed courier services are selected), subject to stock availability. Over 98% of our orders are usually delivered the next working day including Saturdays.
Standard delivery is usually within 2-3 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 Futureshop.co.uk. We use the Royal Mail for delivery of small packages and DPD or Interlink Express for items that weigh over 2KG. Items over 2KG are fully insured and will usually be delivered within 48 hours of placing your order Monday to Friday subject to stock availability. For International orders, we use FedEx Services where customers have selected this option.
Please note, special orders for non-standard cable lengths or custom-made cables may be subject to longer delivery time-scales. This may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
We offer 'Free UK delivery on orders over £99' subject to the following terms & conditions:
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 Interlink Express 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 Interlink Express.
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.
For the Next Day Special Delivery service, orders must be received by futureshop.co.uk by 4.30pm weekdays. Orders after the 4.30pm deadline cannot be guaranteed for same day dispatch.
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.
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.
Deliveries to EU member states are subject to 20% VAT. We offer the following shipping services:
Deliveries outside of the EU are not subject to 20% VAT and so the 20% tax on items is automatically deducted when you login or register.
We offer the following shipping services:
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.
Please take note of the following details regarding our cable burn-in service:
The Nordost VIDAR cable burn-in machine integrates three key functions into one operation:
The VIDAR employs a proprietary combination of composite and complex signals to condition the cables. These signals comprise ultra-low and ultra-high frequencies, extending beyond the range of video frequencies. The signal moves back and forth along the cable, penetrating deep into the core with ultra-low frequencies and traversing the surface with ultra-high frequencies. This transmission method generates beat harmonics between the two complex waveforms, which permeate all layers of the cable. The circuitry of the VIDAR also drives electrons from the conductor into the insulation area, neutralizing electrical charges.
The ultimate outcome of conditioning cables with the Nordost VIDAR is improved sound staging, increased detail, and an overall more musical presentation in your audio system.
Now, you may wonder why cable burn-in is necessary. During cable manufacturing, gasses become trapped as insulation is applied over the conductors. Additionally, new cables often possess high electrical charges, resulting in a brittle and bright sound that lacks the desired detail and depth for music production.
When cables undergo burn-in, the trapped gasses are dissipated, and small impurities in the conductor metals begin to exhibit diode-like behaviour, favouring current flow in a specific direction.
Here are the physical effects of the burn-in process:
When cables are properly burnt in, you can expect the following audible changes in your audio system:
At Future Shop, our goal is to maximise your satisfaction. That's why we offer a free burn-in service on all our cables before they arrive at your door, enabling you to sit back and enjoy the benefits of properly conditioned cables in your audio system.
READ MORE ABOUT THE NORDOST VIDAR CABLE TREATMENT
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