Audio T Verdict
Sarum T is very firmly at the serious end of Chord Company's speaker-cable range. Built individually to order at the company's UK factory, it combines substantial silver-plated conductors with Taylon insulation, independent shielding for the positive and negative legs and factory-fitted ChordOhmic connectors.
The construction is considerably more elaborate than simply making the conductors bigger. Each side of the cable is individually shielded using heavy foil and silver-plated ribbon braid, while Chord Company's proprietary Taylon insulation replaces the PTFE used by earlier generations of Sarum.
It is also a physically substantial cable, with the two separately shielded sections forming a 2 x 8.5mm profile, and is supplied as a finished, terminated product rather than ordinary cable cut from a reel.
At this level a demonstration makes far more sense than buying on specification alone. Chord Company actively supports home demonstrations of Sarum T, and we'd strongly recommend hearing it with your own amplifier and loudspeakers before making the investment.
Chord Company Sarum T Speaker Cable
Sarum T is a built-to-order high-performance speaker cable using silver-plated polished oxygen-free copper conductors, proprietary Taylon insulation and extensive individual shielding.
Each set is assembled and terminated at Chord Company's UK factory with:
- ChordOhmic loudspeaker connectors
- ChorAlloy-plated contact surfaces
- Dedicated termination clamps
Factory-Terminated Speaker Cable
Sarum T is not supplied as ordinary bare unterminated cable from a reel.
Chord Company builds the cable to order and supplies it as a finished terminated product. Audio T's per-metre option refers to the length basis for a terminated cable, not an unterminated DIY cable.
Current Audio T Options
Audio T currently offers Sarum T Speaker Cable as:
- Terminated cable - per metre
- Terminated stereo pair - 1.5m
- Terminated stereo pair - 3m
- Terminated stereo pair - 5m
If you require another length or a particular connector arrangement, contact Audio T before ordering.
Built to Order in the UK
Every Sarum T speaker-cable set is:
Built to order at Chord Company's UK factory.
This allows the cable to be properly terminated and finished as a complete assembly rather than supplied as loose bulk cable.
12AWG Conductors
Chord Company specifies:
12AWG conductors.
The manufacturer's current published cross-sectional area is:
2.63mm².
Manufacturer-Published Specification
Chord Company's current technical table specifies both 12AWG and 2.63mm² for Sarum T.
We have retained those figures exactly as currently published by Chord Company rather than substituting a generic AWG conversion.
High-Purity Silver-Plated Polished OFC
The conductors are made from:
High-purity, silver-plated, polished oxygen-free copper.
This conductor specification is unique to the current Sarum T speaker-cable design and should not be confused with the heavier 10AWG conductors used in SignatureXL or ChordMusic.
Taylon Insulation
Each conductor is insulated with Chord Company's proprietary:
Taylon®.
Taylon is one of the defining technologies of the current Sarum T generation.
Why Sarum T Replaced Earlier Sarum
Earlier Sarum cables used PTFE insulation.
The introduction of Taylon created the current Sarum T range, bringing the insulation technology developed for Chord Company's highest-performance cables into Sarum.
What Does the T in Sarum T Mean?
The T identifies the Taylon generation of Sarum.
Older Sarum, Sarum Tuned ARAY and Sarum Super ARAY products may therefore have different construction details from the current Sarum T speaker cable.
Twisted-Pair Configuration
The positive and negative conductors use a:
Twisted-pair configuration.
This forms the central conductor geometry before the two legs receive their individual shielding.
Individually Shielded Positive and Negative Conductors
A defining element of the Sarum T speaker-cable construction is that:
The positive and negative conductors are individually shielded.
Rather than placing a single overall screen around the complete cable, Chord Company gives each conductor leg its own shielding structure.
Heavy Foil Shielding
Each conductor section incorporates:
Heavy foil shielding.
This forms one layer of the cable's extensive high-frequency shielding system.
Silver-Plated Ribbon Braid
The foil is complemented by:
Silver-plated ribbon braid.
The combination of heavy foil and silver-plated braid distinguishes Sarum T from several lower Chord Company speaker cables using more conventional foil and metal-braid structures.
Polyethylene Outer Jacket
Chord Company specifies a:
Polyethylene outer jacket.
This protects the separately shielded conductor sections and forms the outer surface of the finished cable.
2 x 8.5mm Cable Profile
The complete cable measures:
2 x 8.5mm.
The twin-profile construction reflects the separate positive and negative shielded sections.
Allow Space Behind Your Equipment
Sarum T is a substantial cable.
Make sure there is enough room behind both amplifier and loudspeakers for the cable to form a natural curve without pulling sideways on the terminals.
ChordOhmic Loudspeaker Connectors
Sarum T is supplied with factory-fitted:
ChordOhmic loudspeaker connectors.
Current ChordOhmic speaker connectors use Chord Company's ChorAlloy-plated contact surfaces.
Chord Company's wider connector range includes both 4mm banana and spade formats. Contact Audio T to confirm the termination required for your particular amplifier and loudspeakers.
Dedicated Termination Clamp
Chord Company also uses a:
Dedicated clamp at the termination.
The termination system therefore forms part of the complete Sarum T assembly rather than simply fitting a generic plug to the cable.
Designed for High-Resolution Systems
Sarum T is intended for systems where the amplifier, loudspeakers and source components are sufficiently revealing to justify a speaker cable at this level.
Typical applications include:
- High-end integrated amplifiers
- Pre and power amplifier systems
- Mono power amplifiers
- Reference-quality standmount loudspeakers
- High-performance floorstanding loudspeakers
Single-Wire Loudspeakers
Sarum T can be used conventionally with loudspeakers providing a single pair of binding posts.
The cable should be ordered with connectors compatible with both the amplifier and loudspeaker terminals.
Bi-Wire Loudspeakers
If your loudspeakers provide separate HF and LF terminals but you intend to use a single run of Sarum T, Chord Company also manufactures dedicated Sarum T bi-wire speaker links.
These replace the pressed-metal plates or basic links supplied with many bi-wire loudspeakers.
View Chord Company Sarum T Bi-Wire Speaker Links at Audio T.
Sarum T Speaker Links
The dedicated Sarum T links are supplied in sets of four and use Taylon insulation with factory-fitted ChordOhmic ChorAlloy-plated connectors.
They are the natural finishing option when single-wiring a compatible bi-wire loudspeaker with Sarum T.
Sarum T Versus SignatureXL
SignatureXL sits below Sarum T in Chord Company's current speaker-cable range, but the two products take different approaches to conductor size and insulation.
SignatureXL
- 10AWG conductors
- 5.26mm²
- Silver-plated high-purity OFC
- XLPE insulation
- Individually shielded positive and negative
- High-density foil
- 95% metal braid
- 2 x 8.5mm profile
- Factory terminated
Sarum T
- 12AWG conductors
- 2.63mm² manufacturer specification
- Silver-plated polished OFC
- Taylon insulation
- Individually shielded positive and negative
- Heavy foil
- Silver-plated ribbon braid
- 2 x 8.5mm profile
- Factory terminated
Sarum T therefore should not be viewed simply as a larger-conductor version of SignatureXL. Its major technological differences include Taylon insulation and its more elaborate silver-plated shielding construction.
Sarum T Versus ChordMusic
ChordMusic remains Chord Company's flagship speaker cable and sits above Sarum T.
Sarum T
- High-end Sarum T range
- 12AWG
- 2.63mm² published specification
- Silver-plated polished OFC
- Taylon insulation
- Heavy foil shielding
- Silver-plated ribbon braid
- 2 x 8.5mm
ChordMusic
- Flagship Chord Company speaker cable
- 10AWG
- 5.26mm²
- Heavy silver-plated OFC
- Taylon insulation
- Tuned ARAY conductor geometry
- Silver-plated foil shielding
- Dual 95% silver-plated copper braid
- 2 x 8mm
Does Sarum T Speaker Cable Use Super ARAY?
Chord Company's current dedicated Sarum T speaker-cable specification does not describe this product as using Super ARAY conductor geometry.
Super ARAY is explicitly specified for several Sarum T interconnects, while ChordMusic is the current speaker cable specifically identified by Chord Company as using Tuned ARAY geometry.
We therefore do not apply an ARAY designation to Sarum T speaker cable unless Chord Company specifies it for the product.
Factory Termination Versus Bare Cable
With some Chord Company speaker cables you can buy unterminated cable by the metre and choose how it is terminated later.
Sarum T is different.
Chord Company currently specifies it as a:
Built-to-order, factory-terminated speaker cable.
This keeps the conductor, shielding, clamp and connector assembly as part of one complete manufactured product.
Can I Specify Banana or Spade Connections?
Chord Company's ChordOhmic speaker-connector system includes 4mm banana and spade formats.
The correct arrangement depends on the amplifier and loudspeaker terminals, so contact Audio T if you require a specific termination at either end.
Can I Order Different Connectors at Each End?
Specialist factory-built speaker cables can often be configured to suit the equipment being connected.
Contact Audio T with the exact amplifier, loudspeakers and required length so the desired configuration can be checked before ordering.
Should Both Speaker Cables Be the Same Length?
For a conventional stereo pair, equal-length left and right cables are the simplest arrangement and are how Audio T's fixed stereo-pair options are presented.
If your room layout requires something unusual, speak to Audio T before ordering a custom set.
Which Length Should I Choose?
Measure the actual path the cable will take rather than the straight-line distance between amplifier and loudspeaker.
Allow for:
- Equipment-rack depth
- Furniture
- Speaker positioning
- Natural cable curves
- Enough slack to move or disconnect equipment safely
Avoid Tight Bends
Sarum T's twin shielded construction makes it a substantial cable.
Do not force it through a tight bend immediately behind an amplifier or loudspeaker terminal. Allow enough space for the cable to curve naturally.
Demonstration Strongly Recommended
Sarum T is precisely the kind of cable that should be evaluated in the system in which it will actually be used.
Chord Company actively encourages customers to borrow Sarum demonstration cables from participating retailers and try them at home.
Contact your local Audio T store to discuss demonstration availability.
Award-Winning Design
Sarum T has received substantial recognition since its introduction, including the Hi-Fi World Award for Best Loudspeaker Cable in 2017.
It remains part of Chord Company's current high-end speaker-cable range.
Sarum and Audio T
Audio T has demonstrated Chord Company's Sarum cable technology in high-end systems for many years, including systems built around Naim, Cyrus, KEF, PMC and other revealing electronics and loudspeakers.
Read: The Chord Company Sarum at Audio T Brighton
For a wider look behind the scenes at Chord Company's Wiltshire headquarters:
Read: Cable Guys for a Day - A Visit to Chord Company HQ
Key Features
- Chord Company Sarum T Speaker Cable
- Built to order
- Factory terminated in the UK
- Sold as finished terminated cable
- 12AWG conductors
- 2.63mm² manufacturer-published conductor area
- High-purity polished OFC
- Silver-plated conductors
- Proprietary Taylon insulation
- Twisted-pair configuration
- Individually shielded positive conductor
- Individually shielded negative conductor
- Heavy foil shielding
- Silver-plated ribbon braid
- Polyethylene outer jacket
- 2 x 8.5mm cable profile
- ChordOhmic loudspeaker connectors
- ChorAlloy-plated connector contacts
- Dedicated termination clamps
- 1.5m terminated stereo pair at Audio T
- 3m terminated stereo pair at Audio T
- 5m terminated stereo pair at Audio T
- Other lengths configurable through Audio T
- Dedicated Sarum T bi-wire links available
- Designed for high-resolution systems
- Home demonstration recommended
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chord Company Sarum T Speaker Cable?
Sarum T is a high-end built-to-order speaker cable using silver-plated polished OFC conductors, Taylon insulation, separate shielding for its positive and negative conductors and factory-fitted ChordOhmic connectors.
Is Sarum T sold unterminated?
No. Chord Company's current specification describes Sarum T as a built-to-order cable sold in terminated sets.
What does Audio T's terminated per-metre option mean?
It provides a per-metre basis for a finished terminated Sarum T cable. It should not be confused with unterminated bulk cable sold from a reel.
What fixed stereo-pair lengths does Audio T currently offer?
1.5m, 3m and 5m terminated pairs.
Can I order another length?
Contact Audio T with your required length. Sarum T is built to order, so alternative configurations can be checked with Chord Company.
What conductor material does Sarum T use?
High-purity, silver-plated, polished oxygen-free copper.
What gauge are the conductors?
Chord Company currently specifies 12AWG.
What conductor area does Chord Company publish?
2.63mm². This is the figure currently published in Chord Company's own Sarum T technical specification.
What insulation does Sarum T use?
Chord Company's proprietary Taylon insulation.
Did older Sarum cables use Taylon?
No. Earlier Sarum generations used different insulation, including PTFE. Taylon defines the current Sarum T generation.
Is Sarum T shielded?
Yes. The positive and negative conductors are individually shielded.
What shielding materials are used?
Chord Company specifies heavy foil and silver-plated ribbon braid.
What is the cable diameter?
Chord Company publishes a twin profile of 2 x 8.5mm.
What connectors does Sarum T use?
Current sets use factory-fitted ChordOhmic loudspeaker connectors with ChorAlloy-plated contact surfaces.
Can I have banana plugs?
Chord Company's ChordOhmic connector range includes 4mm banana plugs. Contact Audio T to confirm the required factory termination.
Can I have spade connectors?
ChordOhmic spade connectors are also available within Chord Company's speaker-termination system. Check the desired arrangement with Audio T before ordering.
Does Sarum T use Super ARAY speaker-cable geometry?
Chord Company's current dedicated Sarum T speaker-cable specification does not state Super ARAY geometry, so we do not apply that specification to this product.
Does ChordMusic speaker cable use ARAY technology?
Yes. Chord Company specifically identifies ChordMusic as its first speaker cable fitted with Tuned ARAY conductor geometry.
What is below Sarum T?
SignatureXL is the next major speaker-cable range below Sarum T.
What is above Sarum T?
ChordMusic is Chord Company's flagship speaker cable.
Can I use Sarum T with bi-wire loudspeakers?
Yes. Chord Company also manufactures dedicated Sarum T bi-wire speaker links for use when single-wiring compatible bi-wire loudspeakers.
Can Audio T demonstrate Sarum T?
Contact your local Audio T store to discuss demonstration or home-trial availability.
Related Chord Company Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Help specifying the correct cable length
- Factory-termination guidance
- Banana and spade connector advice
- Bi-wire speaker-link guidance
- SignatureXL, Sarum T and ChordMusic comparison advice
- Help matching cable to amplifier and loudspeakers
- High-end system setup advice
- In-store demonstrations where appropriate
- Home demonstrations where appropriate
- Custom configuration enquiries
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store if you would like to demonstrate Sarum T, confirm the required length or specify the correct connector arrangement for your amplifier and loudspeakers.