Do Hi-Fi Cables Really Matter? 5 Myths, and What Chord Company Gets Right

Few topics start a bigger argument in audio than cables. One person says they changed everything. Another says it is all nonsense.

So let's skip the argument and go through the five things people most often get wrong. Along the way, we will look at Chord Company, a British cable maker that has spent almost 40 years on this exact question.

Myth 1: "A cable is just a wire. Any wire will do."

Half true.

Any wire will carry a signal. That is why a cheap cable still makes sound. But a cable is not only a wire. It is also the insulation around it, the shielding that blocks interference, the way the strands are arranged and the connectors on each end. All of these can change what reaches your speakers.

Think of a garden hose. Any hose will carry water. But a thin, kinked, leaky one will not give you the same flow as a good one.

What to remember: Basic cables work. Better-built cables aim to lose less and pick up less noise.

Myth 2: "Cables are the first thing to upgrade."

Not quite.

Order matters. If your speakers do not suit your room, or your amplifier is struggling, a new cable will not fix that. Speakers, amplifier and source come first.

Cables are best when your system is already good and you want to get the last bit out of it. Think of them as tuning, not the engine.

What to remember: Get the main parts right first. Then use cables to bring out the best in them.

Myth 3: "Expensive means better."

Not always.

Price alone tells you nothing. A cable should suit your system and your budget. Spending a huge amount on a cable for an entry-level system is wasteful. Spending nothing on a cable for a great system leaves sound on the table.

This is why Chord Company makes cables for every level, and why we suggest you listen before you buy. Chord itself encourages customers to try cables at home through demo sets from retailers.

What to remember: Match the cable to the system. Trust your ears, not the price tag.

Myth 4: "Only speaker cables matter."

Wrong.

A music system has many cables, and each does a different job:

• Speaker cables carry power from your amplifier to your speakers.
• Interconnects carry the signal between components, such as a streamer to an amplifier.
• Power cables feed electricity to your equipment.
• Digital cables such as USB, coaxial and Ethernet carry digital music.
• HDMI cables carry picture and sound in a home theatre.

Noise can enter at any of these points. That is why Chord makes all of them, and even makes power distribution blocks and network accessories.

What to remember: Think of cables as a chain. The weakest link sets the limit.

Myth 5: "Cable makers are just selling hope."

This one is up to you to judge. But here is how Chord approaches it.

Chord Company is not a new name or a marketing brand. Its story is a good one.

• It was founded in 1985 in Salisbury, England, by Sally Gibb.
• The first prototypes were made on her kitchen table. An overseas distributor wanted interconnects for Naim Audio amplifiers.
• Hi-fi shops began stocking them after noticing the improvement.
• In 2004 the company moved into its own purpose-built home in Amesbury, Wiltshire, near Stonehenge.
• Cables are designed and hand-built in the UK.

A company that has lasted four decades by selling to demanding hi-fi shops and listeners has something going for it.

What Makes a Chord Cable Different?

Here are the main ideas, in simple words.

ARAY conductors. The metal strands inside are arranged in a special pattern. The idea is to reduce the little distortions that happen in a normal cable. Chord has tuned versions of this, called Tuned ARAY and Super ARAY, for different cables.

Taylon® insulation. The layer around the wire matters because it can affect timing. Taylon is Chord's material, chosen to stay stable as temperature changes.

Layers of shielding. Foil and woven braid work together to keep out radio and electrical noise from the world around your system.

Crimped connectors. Many Chord speaker cables use special connectors with ChorAlloy® plating. They are crimped using a tool called a Hex Gun, which Chord says gives a stronger, longer-lasting grip than soldering.

What you may notice. People who choose better cables often talk about cleaner detail, tighter bass and a calmer, more natural sound. Every system is different, so the best test is a simple one: listen at home.

Which Chord Range Fits You?

Chord organises its cables from entry level to top of the range. Here is a simple way to see it.

Chord also makes:

• HDMI cables, including active optical (AOC) versions for long runs in home theatres
• Ethernet cables for streamers, plus a network noise filter and a network switch under its English Electric brand
• Power cables and power distribution blocks (PowerHAUS)
• Turntable and phono cables, plus ARAY accessories for grounding and power

Ranges and models change over time. The PRO FX team can confirm what is currently available.

Which Cable First? A Simple Order

If you want to try cables, do not change everything at once. Try this order:

1. Speaker cables. The easiest place to hear a change.
2. Interconnects. The cable between your source and your amplifier.
3. Power cable. For components that benefit from cleaner power.
4. Ethernet or digital cable. For streamers and digital sources.

Change one at a time. Listen for a few days. Keep the one that makes you smile.

Quick Answers

Do hi-fi cables make a real difference? They can, especially in a good system. The difference is usually subtle, and the best way to know is to listen at home.

What is the most important cable? Speaker cables are usually the first to try, because they sit between the amplifier and the speakers.

Does a digital cable change how digital music sounds? Many listeners believe so, because noise and timing can affect digital equipment. Results vary, so listen to a demo before buying.

Do I need an expensive HDMI cable for my home theatre? You need a good one, certified for the features you use, such as 4K and Dolby Atmos. For long cable runs, an active optical cable is often the best choice.

Why are Chord cables hand-built? Chord designs and builds its cables by hand in the UK so each one is made and checked with care.

Can I try a cable before I buy? That is the best way. Speak to the PRO FX team about auditioning options.

Find the Right Cable With PRO FX

The right cable depends on your speakers, your amplifier and how you listen. Not sure where to start? The PRO FX team can suggest the right Chord Company cable for your system and your budget. Get in touch with us and tell us what you are listening on.

Company details are based on information published by The Chord Company. Product ranges and availability may change, so please confirm current details with PRO FX before you buy.