QED 79 Strand Speaker Cable
The Legendary Entry Point to True Audiophile Performance.
Combining 79 high-purity, 99.999% Oxygen-Free Copper (OFC) strands with an ultra-low-impedance figure-8 construction, the iconic QED 79 Strand speaker cable delivers rich bass response, transparent mid-range clarity, and pristine treble detail—making it the benchmark choice for high-fidelity 2-channel audio and immersive multi-channel home cinema installations.
Sold by the meter, reducing any waste
We also offer a speaker termination service, cut to length and terminated with QED Airloc banana plugs.
£1.98per metre
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Description
Uncompromising Signal Fidelity for Exceptional Soundstage & Precision
First introduced as a benchmark innovation in British audio engineering, the QED 79 Strand Speaker Cable revolutionised how enthusiasts approach loudspeaker cabling. By replacing standard bell-wire with 79 individually stranded conductors of 99.999% Oxygen-Free Copper (OFC), QED proved that speaker cabling is an active extension of your amplifier’s output stage—not an afterthought.
Whether you are crafting an intimate 2-channel vinyl listening station or wiring a multi-channel Dolby Atmosâ„¢ home theatre, QED 79 Strand preserves transient response, dynamic range, and micro-detail retrieval without colouration or loss.
Key Performance Benefits
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99.999% Oxygen-Free Copper (OFC) Conductors: Eliminates internal copper-oxide barriers to drastically lower signal resistance and prevent HF skin-effect attenuation, yielding transparent highs and effortless bass extension.
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79 Strand Stranded Geometry (2.5mm² Cross-Section): Optimises current handling for demanding dynamic peaks while maintaining high flexibility for seamless routing through conduits, along baseboards, or behind cinema wall panels.
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Clear, Uncoloured Sonic Signature: Delivers a balanced frequency response without artificial harshness or muddy low-frequency bloat, letting your amplifier and speakers perform as designed.
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Figure-8 Flexible Polyethene Dielectric: Features a durable, low-capacitance PVC/polyethylene jacket formatted in a figure-8 profile, with polarity indicators clearly marked for error-free phase alignment during installation.
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Versatile Custom Integrator Choice: Ideal for long cable runs where low loop resistance is crucial to maintaining amplifier damping factor across surround and height channels.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
| Conductor Gauge | 14 AWG (2.50 mm² Cross-Sectional Area) |
| Conductor Material | 99.999% Oxygen-Free Copper (OFC) |
| Stranding | 79 Strands per conductor (0.20 mm diameter per strand) |
| Dielectric / Insulation | Low-Loss Polyethene / Flexible PVC Outer Jacket |
| Cable Geometry | Parallel Figure-8 |
| Loop Resistance | 0.016 Ω/m |
| Capacitance | 58 pF/m |
| Inductance | 0.66 µH/m |
| Dissipation Factor | 0.0400 |
| Overall Dimensions | 4.0 mm x 8.5 mm |
| Available Finishes | Black or White |
Why QED 79 Strand Belongs in Your Setup
Maintaining Amplifier Damping Factor
High loop resistance in inferior cables degrades an amplifier’s damping factor, resulting in slow, flabby bass and blurred acoustic imaging. QED 79 Strand’s generous 2.5mm² conductor area keeps series resistance to an ultra-low 0.016 Ω/m, ensuring tight, articulate bass control and razor-sharp soundstage placement.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Bi-Wiring & Bi-Amping
Can I use QED 79 Strand for bi-wiring my speakers?
Yes. Since QED 79 Strand is a 2-core cable, bi-wiring requires running two separate twin-cable lengths per speaker (shotgun style)—one pair dedicated to the high-frequency (HF) terminals and one pair to the low-frequency (LF) terminals.
What are the acoustic benefits of bi-wiring with QED 79 Strand?
Running independent cable paths isolates the back-EMF (electromotive force) generated by heavy woofer movement from reaching the delicate tweeter circuit. This results in:
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Enhanced high-frequency air and micro-detail.
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Cleaner low-frequency transient decay.
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A wider, more defined soundstage with reduced intermodulation distortion.
2. Termination & Connection Options
Should I use bare wire connections or banana plugs?
While QED 79 Strand can be clamped bare into standard binding posts, terminating with high-quality 4mm banana plugs (such as QED Screwloc or Airlocâ„¢) is strongly recommended for critical listening setups:
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Airtight Seal: Prevents copper oxidation over time, maintaining optimal current flow.
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Consistent Pressure: Ensures maximum surface contact without stray wire strands causing short-circuit risks.
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Rack Convenience: Allows quick, effortless connection swapping behind dense AV receivers and power amplifiers.
Is cold-weld crimping better than soldering for QED 79 Strand?
Yes. Cold-weld termination (like QED Screwloc or crimped Airlocâ„¢) crushes the copper strands and plug body together under extreme pressure to create an airtight metal-to-metal bond. Soldering introduces lead/tin impurities into the signal path, increasing electrical resistance and subtly altering soundstage neutrality.
3. Cable Length & System Placement
What is the maximum recommended cable length for QED 79 Strand?
Due to its generous 14 AWG (2.5 mm²) conductor cross-section and low loop resistance, QED 79 Strand maintains strict signal integrity over extended runs:
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Up to 10 meters (33 ft): Zero audible signal loss; maintains maximum amplifier damping factor.
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10 to 15 meters (33–50 ft): Excellent for surround or height channel home cinema installations with negligible attenuation.
Do left and right speaker cables need to be the same length?
For high-end stereo and front LCR cinema channels, yes, keep lengths identical (within 10–15% of each other). Matching cable lengths ensures equal loop resistance, inductance, and capacitance across both channels, preserving precise phase coherence and razor-sharp soundstage centre imaging.
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QED 79 Strand Speaker Cable
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