Audio T Verdict
Bi-wire terminals are very common on good loudspeakers, but if you're only using a single run of speaker cable, the two sets of terminals still need to be joined together. The little pressed-metal plates supplied with many speakers do the job, but Chord Company's Signature links offer a much more considered solution for a high-performance system.
Based closely on Chord Company's SignatureXL speaker cable, Signature bi-wire links provide a flexible cable connection between the HF and LF terminals and are fitted with current ChordOhmic speaker connectors.
They're particularly relevant once you've already invested in a serious amplifier, loudspeakers and speaker cable. The links are still part of the electrical connection to the loudspeaker crossover, so upgrading them means you're not leaving the final few centimetres of the speaker-cable path to a basic metal plate.
Importantly, you don't need SignatureXL speaker cable to use them. Chord Company specifically designs Signature links to work with any suitable speaker cable.
Chord Company Signature Bi-Wire Speaker Links
Signature bi-wire speaker links are designed to replace the basic wire jumpers or pressed-metal plates supplied with many loudspeakers fitted with separate high-frequency and low-frequency binding posts.
Each Audio T option is supplied as:
A set of four links.
This is normally enough for a conventional stereo pair of bi-wire loudspeakers, with two links fitted to each speaker.
Current Audio T Options
Audio T currently offers two Signature link configurations:
- ChordOhmic 4mm banana to spade - set of 4
- Spade to spade - set of 4
Check Your Loudspeaker Terminals
Before ordering, check which connector arrangement best suits the HF and LF binding posts on your loudspeakers.
If you are unsure whether banana-to-spade or spade-to-spade is the better option, contact Audio T with the exact make and model of your loudspeakers.
What Are Bi-Wire Speaker Links?
Many loudspeakers provide two sets of input terminals, commonly labelled:
- HF: High-frequency section
- LF: Low-frequency section
When the loudspeaker is used with a single run of speaker cable, these two sections still need to be electrically connected.
Manufacturers therefore usually provide removable jumper plates or short links between the terminals.
Signature speaker links replace those supplied jumpers with a purpose-designed Chord Company cable connection.
Designed for Single-Wiring Bi-Wire Speakers
These links are intended for loudspeakers that have bi-wire terminals but are being used with:
A conventional single run of speaker cable.
The main speaker cable connects to one pair of terminals and the Signature links bridge that connection to the second pair.
Two Links Per Loudspeaker
A conventional bi-wire terminal block normally requires:
- One link connecting positive HF to positive LF
- One link connecting negative HF to negative LF
A stereo pair therefore uses four links in total.
Maintain Correct Polarity
Positive must link to positive and negative must link to negative.
Never connect a speaker link between positive and negative terminals, as this would create a short circuit.
Based Closely on SignatureXL Speaker Cable
Chord Company states that the Signature links are:
Based closely on SignatureXL speaker cable.
SignatureXL is Chord Company's long-running high-performance shielded speaker cable and sits above EpicXL in the current range.
The links are designed to provide an appropriate partner for SignatureXL while remaining completely usable with other speaker cables.
Current ChordOhmic Connectors
Signature links use Chord Company's current:
ChordOhmic 4mm plugs and spade connectors.
This is the current connector specification rather than the older generation of speaker plugs used on earlier Signature products.
ChordOhmic High-Pressure Crimp Connection
ChordOhmic speaker connectors were developed around Chord Company's high-pressure crimp termination method.
Rather than simply tightening a small screw onto the conductor, the specialist Hex Gun applies extremely high pressure to form the termination.
Audio T has been trained by Chord Company to produce factory-quality ChordOhmic terminations using this system.
Read: ChordOhmic Speaker-Plug Termination at Audio T
Banana to Spade
The banana-to-spade version places:
- A ChordOhmic 4mm banana plug at one end
- A spade connector at the other
This can be particularly useful where the layout of the loudspeaker binding posts makes using two different connector styles more convenient.
Spade to Spade
The second Audio T option uses:
Spade connectors at both ends.
This is suitable for loudspeaker terminals that readily accept spades on both the HF and LF sections.
Why Use Cable Links Instead of Metal Plates?
Rigid jumper plates provide the electrical connection required for single-wiring a bi-wire loudspeaker, but they are typically supplied as a simple functional solution.
Signature links allow the short connection between the HF and LF sections to be made using a dedicated cable product from Chord Company's Signature range.
Typical Factory Jumper Plate
- Rigid metal construction
- Supplied with many bi-wire loudspeakers
- Provides basic HF/LF connection
- Usually designed primarily for convenience
Signature Speaker Links
- Dedicated flexible cable links
- Based closely on SignatureXL
- Current ChordOhmic connectors
- Banana and spade configurations
- Designed specifically as an upgrade link
Can I Use Them with Any Speaker Cable?
Yes.
Chord Company specifically states that Signature links:
Will work with any speaker cable.
You therefore do not need to use SignatureXL for the main amplifier-to-speaker connection.
Using Them with SignatureXL
SignatureXL is the natural matching speaker cable because the link design is based closely on it.
View Chord Company SignatureXL Speaker Cable at Audio T.
Using Them with EpicXL
Chord Company also specifically lists EpicXL as a complementary product for the Signature links.
This makes the links worth considering even if your main speaker cable sits below SignatureXL in the Chord Company range.
Using Them with Other Brands of Speaker Cable
There is no technical requirement for the main speaker cable to come from Chord Company.
If the loudspeaker terminal arrangement is compatible, Signature links can be used with suitable cables from other manufacturers.
Do They Turn a System into Bi-Wiring?
No.
Bi-wire links are used when a bi-wire-capable loudspeaker is being:
Single wired.
True bi-wiring uses separate cable conductors or separate cable runs to the HF and LF sections of the loudspeaker.
Which Speaker Terminals Should the Main Cable Use?
The main speaker cable can physically be connected to either the HF or LF terminal pair when the correct links are fitted, but some loudspeaker manufacturers provide a preferred connection method.
Follow the loudspeaker manufacturer's instructions where specific guidance is given.
Audio T can also help you experiment with the connection arrangement where appropriate.
Signature Links Versus Epic Links
Chord Company also produces Epic bi-wire speaker links at a lower level in the range.
Epic Bi-Wire Links
- Built using EpicXL cable
- Silver-plated conductors
- XLPE insulation
- High-density foil shielding
- 95% metal braid
- ChorAlloy-plated connectors
- Set of four
Signature Bi-Wire Links
- Higher Signature range
- Design based closely on SignatureXL
- Current ChordOhmic connectors
- Works with any speaker cable
- Set of four
The Signature links provide the natural next step for systems where the main speaker cable and partnering equipment justify moving above Epic-level links.
Signature Links Versus Sarum T Links
Sarum T links sit above Signature in the Chord Company hierarchy.
Chord Company specifically identifies current Sarum T links as using Taylon insulation and factory-fitted ChordOhmic ChorAlloy-plated connectors.
Signature therefore provides a useful intermediate step between Epic and Sarum T.
Do Signature Links Use SignatureXL's Exact Specification?
Chord Company describes the link design as:
Based closely on SignatureXL speaker cable.
However, the manufacturer does not currently publish a separate technical table assigning SignatureXL's precise conductor gauge, conductor area, shielding percentage or overall diameter to the links themselves.
We therefore do not assume those specifications for this product.
Keeping the Specification Accurate
SignatureXL speaker cable itself uses 10AWG / 5.26mm² silver-plated OFC conductors, XLPE insulation and individually shielded positive and negative legs.
Those are the published specifications for the full SignatureXL speaker cable. Chord Company describes the links as being based closely on that design rather than publishing an identical specification for the links.
Easy to Install
Replacing the original links is straightforward on most compatible speakers:
- Switch the amplifier off.
- Disconnect the speaker cable if necessary.
- Remove the existing metal jumper plates or wire links.
- Connect one Signature link between the positive HF and LF terminals.
- Connect the second between the negative HF and LF terminals.
- Repeat for the second loudspeaker.
- Reconnect the main speaker cables and check all terminals are secure.
Always Switch the Amplifier Off
Never change loudspeaker cables or jumper links with the amplifier operating.
An accidental connection between positive and negative terminals can short the amplifier output and potentially damage equipment.
Check Terminal Clearance
Different loudspeakers arrange their binding posts in different ways.
Check that there is sufficient room for the selected banana or spade configuration and that the link can sit naturally without placing sideways pressure on the terminals.
Signature Range Heritage
Signature is one of Chord Company's longest-running high-performance cable ranges.
The current range has continued to evolve with newer insulation, shielding and connector technologies while retaining its position between Epic and Sarum T in the broader Chord Company hierarchy.
SignatureXL at Audio T
Audio T regularly demonstrates SignatureXL speaker cable in revealing systems, making it straightforward to discuss where Signature-level links make sense within the rest of a cable system.
Read: The Path to Cable Enlightenment - Chord Company Cables at Audio T
Key Features
- Chord Company Signature bi-wire links
- Designed for bi-wire loudspeakers
- For single-wired speaker systems
- Replaces basic jumper plates
- Set of four links
- Two links per conventional bi-wire loudspeaker
- Based closely on SignatureXL speaker cable
- Works with any suitable speaker cable
- ChordOhmic 4mm connector option
- ChordOhmic spade connections
- Banana-to-spade Audio T option
- Spade-to-spade Audio T option
- Flexible alternative to rigid jumper plates
- Designed for high-performance systems
- Suitable with SignatureXL speaker cable
- Suitable with EpicXL speaker cable
- Suitable with other speaker-cable brands
- Easy to fit to compatible terminals
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Chord Company Signature bi-wire links?
They are short speaker-cable links designed to bridge the separate HF and LF terminals on bi-wire loudspeakers when those speakers are being single wired.
How many links are supplied?
Four links are supplied in each set.
Is one set enough for two speakers?
Yes, for a conventional stereo pair of loudspeakers with two pairs of bi-wire binding posts. Each speaker normally uses two links.
What configurations does Audio T offer?
Audio T currently offers ChordOhmic 4mm banana-to-spade and spade-to-spade sets.
What connectors do Signature links use?
Chord Company currently specifies its ChordOhmic 4mm plugs and spade connectors.
Are they based on SignatureXL speaker cable?
Yes. Chord Company describes the link design as being based closely on SignatureXL.
Do they use exactly the same specification as SignatureXL?
Chord Company does not currently publish a complete technical specification for the links themselves, so the precise 10AWG, 5.26mm² and shielding figures of the full SignatureXL cable should not automatically be assigned to them.
Can I use them with SignatureXL speaker cable?
Yes. SignatureXL is the natural matching speaker cable.
Can I use them with EpicXL?
Yes. Chord Company lists EpicXL as a complementary product.
Can I use them with another Chord speaker cable?
Yes. Chord Company states that Signature links will work with any speaker cable.
Can I use them with another brand of cable?
Yes, provided the loudspeaker terminal arrangement and connections are suitable.
Do Signature links convert my speakers to bi-wiring?
No. They allow a bi-wire loudspeaker to be used with a conventional single speaker-cable run.
Why replace the metal jumper plates?
Signature links replace the basic rigid connection with a dedicated cable link designed specifically for high-performance loudspeaker systems.
Should the main speaker cable connect to HF or LF?
Follow the loudspeaker manufacturer's recommendation where one is provided. Audio T can also help with connection advice for your particular speakers.
Can I connect positive to negative with a link?
No. Positive should only connect to positive and negative to negative.
Should I switch my amplifier off before fitting them?
Yes. Always switch the amplifier off before changing speaker cables or links.
What is below Signature links in the Chord Company range?
Epic bi-wire links provide a lower-cost option built from EpicXL cable.
What is above Signature links?
Sarum T and ChordMusic provide higher-level bi-wire link options within the Chord Company range.
Can Audio T check whether they fit my speakers?
Yes. Give your local Audio T store the exact make and model of your loudspeakers and we can help check the terminal arrangement and connector choice.
Related Chord Company Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Help checking loudspeaker terminal compatibility
- Banana and spade connector advice
- Single-wire and bi-wire system guidance
- Help choosing the correct speaker-link configuration
- Epic, Signature and Sarum T comparison advice
- SignatureXL speaker-cable guidance
- ChordOhmic termination experience
- In-store demonstrations where appropriate
- Home demonstrations where appropriate
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store if you would like us to check whether Signature bi-wire links are suitable for your loudspeakers or help choose between banana-to-spade and spade-to-spade connections.