Audio T Verdict
SignatureXL is a serious speaker cable for serious systems. Its construction is substantial, but the clever bit is not simply the size of the conductors. Chord Company individually shields the positive and negative legs and combines heavy-gauge silver-plated OFC with XLPE insulation, high-density foil and a 95% coverage metal braid.
At 10AWG, SignatureXL has considerably larger conductors than EpicX and ShawlineX, while its separately shielded twin-leg construction also provides the design foundation for EpicXL further down the range.
Every set is built to order and terminated at Chord Company's UK factory with ChordOhmic connectors, so this is a finished speaker-cable product rather than bulk cable cut from a reel.
SignatureXL makes most sense in a sufficiently revealing system where amplifier, loudspeakers and sources are already performing at a high level. At this price we'd always recommend a demonstration, preferably in your own system.
Chord Company SignatureXL Speaker Cable
SignatureXL is the latest version of one of Chord Company's longest-running high-performance speaker cables.
The current design combines:
- 10AWG silver-plated high-purity OFC conductors
- XLPE conductor insulation
- Twisted-pair geometry
- Individually shielded positive and negative conductors
- High-density foil shielding
- 95% coverage metal braid
- Translucent PVC outer jackets
- Factory-fitted ChordOhmic speaker connectors
Current Audio T Length Options
Audio T currently offers SignatureXL as terminated stereo pairs in:
- 1.5m pair
- 3m pair
- 5m pair
Each option represents a finished left and right speaker-cable set.
Built to Order and Factory Terminated
SignatureXL is not ordinary unterminated speaker cable sold from the reel.
Every set is built to order and terminated at Chord Company's UK factory. If you need a different length or connector arrangement, contact Audio T before ordering.
10AWG Conductors
SignatureXL uses substantial:
10AWG conductors.
Chord Company publishes a conductor cross-sectional area of:
5.26mm².
This makes SignatureXL one of the heaviest-gauge speaker cables in the current Chord Company range.
Silver-Plated High-Purity OFC
The conductors are made from:
Silver-plated high-purity oxygen-free copper.
Signature evolved considerably from the original design, which used bare OFC conductors. Silver-plated conductors were introduced as Chord Company refined the cable into the later Signature Reference and SignatureXL generations.
XLPE Insulation
The current SignatureXL uses:
XLPE conductor insulation.
XLPE stands for cross-linked polyethylene.
Earlier Signature Reference cable used PTFE, but Chord Company moved to a carefully selected XLPE formulation after evaluating alternative dielectric materials.
Why the XL in SignatureXL?
SignatureXL introduced Chord Company's selected XLPE insulation to the Signature speaker-cable design.
Older Signature and Signature Reference reviews may therefore describe different conductor and insulation materials from the current product.
Twisted-Pair Geometry
The conductors use a:
Twisted-pair configuration.
The positive and negative sections are then individually shielded rather than enclosed within one simple overall screen.
Individually Shielded Positive and Negative Conductors
A defining feature of SignatureXL is that:
Both conductor legs have their own shielding.
This individually shielded approach was developed for Signature and later influenced other Chord Company designs, including EpicXL.
High-Density Foil Shield
Each conductor section incorporates:
High-density foil shielding.
This provides one layer of Chord Company's high-frequency shielding architecture.
95% Coverage Metal Braid
The foil is supplemented by a:
95% coverage metal braid.
The combination provides extensive shielding around each conductor leg.
Why Shield Speaker Cable?
Modern homes contain a significant amount of high-frequency electrical activity generated by equipment such as:
- Routers and Wi-Fi systems
- Music streamers
- Network switches
- Computers
- Televisions
- Switch-mode power supplies
- Wireless devices
- Smart-home equipment
SignatureXL's extensive shielding is designed to reduce unwanted interaction between the speaker cable and the surrounding electrical environment.
Translucent PVC Outer Jackets
The individually shielded cable sections are protected by:
Translucent PVC outer jackets.
The complete construction has a twin-cable profile rather than one large circular outer jacket.
2 x 8.5mm Cable Profile
Chord Company specifies an overall profile of:
2 x 8.5mm.
SignatureXL is therefore a substantial speaker cable, and its physical dimensions should be considered when planning the cable route.
Allow Plenty of Space Behind the System
Do not force SignatureXL into a tight bend immediately behind an amplifier or loudspeaker.
Allow the cable to form a natural curve so that its weight and stiffness do not place unnecessary strain on the binding posts.
Factory-Fitted ChordOhmic Connectors
Every SignatureXL set is factory terminated with Chord Company's:
ChordOhmic loudspeaker connectors.
Current ChordOhmic connectors use ChorAlloy™-plated contact surfaces and are available in both 4mm banana and spade formats.
ChordOhmic 4mm Banana Plugs
4mm banana plugs provide a convenient connection to compatible amplifier and loudspeaker binding posts.
They are particularly useful where equipment is moved or changed occasionally because they can be inserted and removed without repeatedly loosening the terminal itself.
ChordOhmic Spade Connectors
Spade connectors are also available for suitable binding posts.
Where compatible, the binding post clamps directly onto the spade to provide a secure connection.
Banana or Spade?
The correct termination depends on your amplifier and loudspeaker terminals.
If one component is better suited to banana plugs and the other to spades, contact Audio T before ordering so the appropriate configuration can be checked.
Red and Black or All Black
Chord Company currently offers SignatureXL in:
- Red and black colour combination
- All-black colour combination
Contact Audio T if a particular finish is important for your installation.
The Evolution of Signature
The original Signature was introduced as Chord Company's first high-frequency shielded speaker cable.
It was physically large and relatively stiff, but its shielding architecture became an important part of Chord Company's later cable development.
The design subsequently evolved into Signature Reference with improved shielding, silver-plated conductors and PTFE insulation before becoming today's SignatureXL with XLPE.
SignatureXL Versus EpicXL
EpicXL takes the separately shielded concept developed for SignatureXL and combines it with the smaller 12AWG conductor platform used in Epic.
EpicXL
- 12AWG
- 3.31mm²
- Silver-plated high-purity OFC
- XLPE insulation
- Positive and negative separately shielded
- High-density foil
- 95% metal braid
- 2 x 7.5mm profile
- Factory terminated
SignatureXL
- 10AWG
- 5.26mm²
- Silver-plated high-purity OFC
- XLPE insulation
- Positive and negative separately shielded
- High-density foil
- 95% metal braid
- 2 x 8.5mm profile
- Factory terminated
SignatureXL therefore retains the same broad shielding philosophy but increases conductor size substantially.
SignatureXL Versus Sarum T
Sarum T sits above SignatureXL and takes a different approach rather than simply increasing conductor size again.
SignatureXL
- 10AWG
- 5.26mm²
- Silver-plated high-purity OFC
- XLPE insulation
- High-density foil
- 95% metal braid
- 2 x 8.5mm profile
Sarum T
- 12AWG
- 2.63mm² manufacturer specification
- Silver-plated polished OFC
- Taylon® insulation
- Heavy foil shielding
- Silver-plated ribbon braid
- 2 x 8.5mm profile
The key step into Sarum T is therefore its different conductor construction, proprietary Taylon insulation and silver-plated shielding architecture rather than simply a larger cable gauge.
Does SignatureXL Use ARAY Technology?
Chord Company's current dedicated SignatureXL speaker-cable specification does not state that the cable uses ARAY, Tuned ARAY or Super ARAY conductor geometry.
Those technologies are explicitly specified for various Chord Company interconnects and other specialist products, but should not automatically be transferred to SignatureXL speaker cable.
Keeping the Specification Accurate
Signature is a broad cable family and not every Signature product uses the same internal design.
For SignatureXL speaker cable, the important published technologies are its heavy-gauge conductors, XLPE insulation and individually shielded construction.
Suitable for Standmount Loudspeakers
SignatureXL can be used with high-performance standmount loudspeakers where the system and budget justify a cable at this level.
Suitable for Floorstanding Loudspeakers
Its heavy-gauge construction also makes SignatureXL particularly relevant to ambitious floorstanding loudspeaker systems.
Suitable for High-Power Amplification
SignatureXL can be partnered with high-performance integrated, stereo power and mono power amplifiers, subject to normal equipment compatibility.
Bi-Wire Loudspeakers
If your loudspeakers provide separate HF and LF terminals but you intend to use a single run of SignatureXL, dedicated Signature bi-wire speaker links are available.
These replace the basic pressed-metal links supplied with many bi-wire loudspeakers.
View Chord Company Signature Bi-Wire Speaker Links at Audio T.
Measure the Cable Route Carefully
Measure the actual route the cable will take rather than simply the direct distance from amplifier to speaker.
Allow for:
- Equipment-rack depth
- Furniture
- Speaker positioning
- Natural cable curves
- Enough slack to move equipment safely
Do Not Order a Cable That Only Just Reaches
SignatureXL is a substantial cable and should not be held under tension between amplifier and loudspeaker.
Allow enough length for the cable to sit naturally and avoid unnecessary strain on the terminals.
SignatureXL in a Real Audio T System
Our Cardiff team recently compared Chord Company Epic and Signature cables in a home Hi-Fi system, including Signature Reference / SignatureXL speaker cable.
The exercise was carried out exactly as we'd recommend: swapping one cable at a time, listening to familiar music and deciding whether each step was worthwhile in that particular system.
Read: The Path to Cable Enlightenment - My Journey with Chord Cables
Demonstration Recommended
At this level, system matching becomes extremely important.
Chord Company recommends borrowing a demonstration set from a retailer and listening in your own system, and we'd agree.
Contact your local Audio T store to discuss demonstration or home-trial availability.
Key Features
- Chord Company SignatureXL
- Factory-terminated speaker cable pair
- Built to order in the UK
- 10AWG conductors
- 5.26mm² conductor area
- Silver-plated high-purity OFC
- XLPE conductor insulation
- Twisted-pair configuration
- Positive conductor individually shielded
- Negative conductor individually shielded
- High-density foil shielding
- 95% coverage metal braid
- Translucent PVC outer jackets
- 2 x 8.5mm cable profile
- ChordOhmic speaker connectors
- ChorAlloy-plated contacts
- 4mm banana termination available
- Spade termination available
- Red and black colour combination available
- All-black colour combination available
- 1.5m Audio T pair
- 3m Audio T pair
- 5m Audio T pair
- Signature bi-wire links available
- Suitable for high-performance stereo systems
- Home demonstration recommended
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chord Company SignatureXL?
SignatureXL is a high-performance factory-terminated speaker cable using 10AWG silver-plated OFC conductors, XLPE insulation and individually shielded positive and negative legs.
Is SignatureXL sold as a pair?
Yes. Audio T's current options are finished stereo speaker-cable pairs.
What lengths does Audio T currently offer?
1.5m, 3m and 5m pairs.
Is SignatureXL built to order?
Yes. Chord Company builds and terminates every set at its UK factory.
What conductor material does SignatureXL use?
Silver-plated high-purity oxygen-free copper.
What gauge are the conductors?
10AWG.
What is the conductor cross-sectional area?
5.26mm².
What insulation does SignatureXL use?
XLPE, or cross-linked polyethylene.
Did older Signature cable use PTFE?
Signature Reference used PTFE before Chord Company introduced its selected XLPE formulation for SignatureXL.
Is SignatureXL shielded?
Yes. The positive and negative conductors are individually shielded.
What shielding does it use?
High-density foil combined with a 95% coverage metal braid.
What is the overall size?
Chord Company specifies a twin 2 x 8.5mm profile.
What connectors does it use?
Factory-fitted ChordOhmic loudspeaker connectors.
Can I have banana plugs?
Yes. ChordOhmic 4mm banana plugs are a factory termination option.
Can I have spades?
Yes. ChordOhmic spade connectors are also available.
What plating do current ChordOhmic plugs use?
Current ChordOhmic 4mm and spade connectors use ChorAlloy™-plated contact surfaces.
Does SignatureXL use ARAY technology?
Chord Company's current SignatureXL speaker-cable specification does not list ARAY technology, so it should not be assumed from other products in the Signature range.
What is the difference between EpicXL and SignatureXL?
Both use individually shielded conductors, XLPE insulation, high-density foil and 95% braid. SignatureXL increases conductor size from EpicXL's 12AWG / 3.31mm² to 10AWG / 5.26mm².
What is above SignatureXL?
Sarum T is the next major Chord Company speaker-cable range above SignatureXL and introduces Taylon insulation and a different shielding construction.
Can I use SignatureXL with bi-wire speakers?
Yes. Dedicated Signature bi-wire links are available when using a single cable run with compatible bi-wire loudspeakers.
Can I order a custom configuration?
Contact Audio T with the required length, amplifier and loudspeaker details so the appropriate factory-built configuration can be checked.
Can Audio T demonstrate SignatureXL?
Yes. 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 choosing the correct cable length
- Banana and spade termination guidance
- Signature bi-wire link advice
- EpicXL, SignatureXL and Sarum T comparison guidance
- Help matching cable to amplifier and loudspeakers
- Custom factory-built cable enquiries
- High-end system setup advice
- In-store demonstrations where appropriate
- Home demonstrations where appropriate
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store if you would like to demonstrate SignatureXL, confirm the correct length or specify the most suitable connector arrangement for your amplifier and loudspeakers.