QED updates Performance Cable range for AV systems

Cable specialist QED has unveiled a revamped Performance range, bringing together speaker cables, interconnects, digital audio, optical, Ethernet and USB models under a unified connectivity portfolio.

The new line-up comprises 13 core product categories and is intended to simplify cable selection across a wide range of sources, from turntables and CD players through to TVs, streamers, DACs and networked audio devices.

The launch builds on nearly five decades of cable development at QED. The company says every product in the new range draws on insights gained from its Genesis Report research programme, which examined how cable construction affects signal transmission and audio performance.

A key feature of the refresh is a new thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) outer jacket. The material is softer and more flexible than previous cable coverings, which should make routing and installation easier in equipment racks, cabinets and residential AV installations. Across the range, cables feature silver-grey connectors, 99.999% oxygen-free copper conductors and 24k gold-plated contacts, with nickel-plated terminations used on USB models.

Speaker cable and bi-wire links

At the heart of the new family is the QED Performance Speaker Cable, available in 2m, 3m and 5m factory-terminated pairs, alongside matching Performance Bi-Wire Links.

The speaker cable uses a 2.5mm² conductor cross-sectional area combined with QED's X-Tube Plus technology, which is designed to maintain consistent signal transfer across the frequency range. Oxygen-free copper conductors are employed to reduce resistance, while the cables are terminated with factory-fitted Airloc gold-plated plugs and spades intended to provide long-term connection integrity.

Performance Audio interconnects

The new Performance Audio phono-to-phono interconnects have been developed alongside the speaker cable range and are intended to provide a complementary analogue signal path.

QED has incorporated its Solid Complementary Conductor Technology alongside 99.999% oxygen-free copper conductors. Advanced shielding and the company's Ferrite Insulation Technology are designed to minimise the effects of external interference, while the flexible TPE jacket helps reduce mechanical handling noise. Gold-plated phono connectors complete the design.

The cables are available in 0.75m, 1.5m and 3m lengths.

Digital, optical and subwoofer connectivity

The range extends beyond two-channel audio with dedicated digital coaxial and optical cable options.

Performance Digital Audio cables are offered in 0.75m, 1.5m and 3m versions for S/PDIF applications, while Performance Optical cables are available in matching lengths for systems requiring optical audio distribution.

The brand has also included dedicated subwoofer cables in 3m, 6m and 10m lengths, providing greater flexibility for home cinema installations where equipment and subwoofer placement may be separated by significant distances.

Analogue auxiliary and network connections

For installations that still require 3.5mm connectivity, the range includes both jack-to-jack and jack-to-phono cables in 1.5m and 3m variants.

Network requirements are covered through a series of Performance Ethernet cables available in 0.75m, 1.5m, 3m and 6m lengths. These are designed to support the growing number of network-enabled AV devices found in residential entertainment systems.

Expanded USB audio offering

One of the more intriguing additions is a comprehensive USB audio cable line-up.

The range includes USB-A to USB-B, USB-A to USB-C, USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to USB-B configurations, covering common connections between computers, streamers, DACs and other digital audio components.

The QED Performance range starts at £29 for selected USB and Ethernet models and extends to £179 for the 5m pair of Performance Speaker Cables.

Performance Speaker Cable pairs are priced at £119 for 2m, £139 for 3m and £179 for 5m lengths. Performance Bi-Wire Links sell for £99 per set.

Performance Audio interconnects start at £49, while subwoofer cables range from £59 to £129 depending on length. Digital audio cables are priced between £39 and £59, with optical variants ranging from £49 to £69.

USB cable prices start at £29, while Ethernet models begin at £29 and rise to £59 for the longest version.