Audio T Verdict
Chord Company RumourX is proof that a serious speaker cable does not have to resemble a garden hose. At just 6mm in diameter, it is slim, discreet and easy to route, yet its silver-plated oxygen-free copper conductors and XLPE insulation make it equally at home in a neat lifestyle system or a considerably more ambitious Hi-Fi set-up.
Rumour has been part of the Chord Company range since 1996, with the current X-generation version replacing the previous PTFE insulation with XLPE. The fundamental idea remains beautifully simple: a carefully developed twisted pair of 16AWG conductors inside a compact outer jacket.
That combination makes RumourX particularly useful where you want a genuinely capable speaker cable without having a large cable dominating the room. It is also an excellent option for installations where cable needs to disappear discreetly behind furniture or along skirting boards.
This Audio T product is supplied unterminated and priced per metre, allowing you to order exactly the amount required and either use compatible bare-wire connections or arrange professional termination separately.
Chord Company RumourX Speaker Cable - Unterminated Per Metre
RumourX is a compact, high-performance loudspeaker cable using silver-plated oxygen-free copper conductors, XLPE insulation and Chord Company's long-established twisted-pair geometry.
This Audio T product is supplied:
Unterminated and priced per metre.
Sold Per Metre - No Connectors Included
This product is bare RumourX speaker cable supplied from the reel.
Banana plugs, spade connectors and other terminations are not included in the per-metre price.
If you require terminated speaker cables, contact your local Audio T store to discuss the required length and connector arrangement.
How Ordering Per Metre Works
The quantity selected represents the total number of metres of RumourX required.
For example:
- Quantity 1: 1 metre
- Quantity 5: 5 metre continuous run
- Quantity 8: 8 metre continuous run
- Quantity 10: 10 metre continuous run
Multiple metres will be supplied as one continuous length wherever possible rather than as separate one-metre pieces.
Remember You Need Cable for Both Speakers
A conventional stereo system requires a separate cable run to each loudspeaker.
If the left and right speakers each require approximately 3 metres, you would normally order around 6 metres in total.
Allow a little extra for routing behind furniture, equipment-rack depth and final speaker positioning.
A Chord Company Classic Since 1996
The original Chord Rumour was launched in 1996 and quickly became one of the company's most recognisable speaker-cable designs.
At a time when heavy parallel speaker cables were common, Chord Company experimented with silver-plated conductors and carefully controlled twisted-pair geometry.
The resulting cable was unusually compact for its performance level, a characteristic that remains central to RumourX today.
16AWG Conductors
RumourX uses:
16AWG positive and negative conductors.
Chord Company publishes a conductor cross-sectional area of:
1.31mm².
This allows RumourX to retain its notably slim construction while remaining suitable for a wide variety of quality loudspeaker systems.
Silver-Plated Oxygen-Free Copper
Each conductor uses:
Silver-plated oxygen-free copper.
The conductors are formed from multiple strands before being insulated and twisted together as a pair.
The same fundamental conductor construction is also used in the higher ShawlineX speaker cable.
XLPE Insulation
The current RumourX uses:
XLPE conductor insulation.
XLPE stands for cross-linked polyethylene.
Earlier generations of Rumour used PTFE insulation, but Chord Company subsequently identified a particular XLPE formulation that performed better in its listening tests and introduced it to create the current RumourX.
Twisted-Pair Geometry
The positive and negative conductors are arranged in a:
Twisted-pair configuration.
Chord Company experimented extensively with the relationship between the two conductors during the original Rumour development programme before arriving at its preferred twist ratio.
No Additional Shielding
RumourX is:
Unshielded.
Its construction is deliberately straightforward, consisting of the silver-plated OFC conductors, XLPE insulation, twisted-pair geometry and protective PVC outer jacket.
If you want a cable using the same fundamental conductor size and materials but with extensive high-frequency shielding, ShawlineX is the natural model to consider.
PVC Outer Jacket
The twisted conductor pair is protected by a:
PVC outer jacket.
The complete finished cable measures just 6mm in diameter.
Only 6mm in Diameter
One of RumourX's biggest practical advantages is its:
6mm overall diameter.
It is considerably less visually intrusive than many high-performance loudspeaker cables and can be particularly useful in rooms where the cable needs to remain discreet.
Ideal for Discreet Installations
RumourX's compact dimensions make it particularly useful for:
- Routing along skirting boards
- Running behind furniture
- Systems where large speaker cables would be visually intrusive
- Custom Hi-Fi installations
- High-quality lifestyle systems
- Rooms where cable flexibility and appearance matter
Small Cable, Serious Systems
RumourX should not be confused with lightweight budget speaker wire simply because it is physically slim.
Chord Company specifically positions it for everything from lifestyle installations through to seriously high-end audio systems.
Suitable for Standmount Speakers
RumourX is an excellent partner for quality standmount loudspeakers, particularly where a discreet cable route is desirable.
Suitable for Floorstanding Speakers
Despite its relatively small diameter, RumourX can also be used with compatible floorstanding loudspeakers.
If your system or cable length calls for a substantially heavier conductor, OdysseyX provides the natural step towards a larger 12AWG design.
Suitable for High-Spec Installations
Chord Company specifically describes RumourX as suitable for high-spec sound and vision installations.
Its combination of performance and discreet dimensions has made it popular with Hi-Fi users, equipment manufacturers and custom installers.
RumourX Versus OdysseyX
OdysseyX uses the same fundamental materials as RumourX but increases the conductor size considerably.
RumourX
- Silver-plated OFC
- XLPE insulation
- Twisted-pair geometry
- 16AWG
- 1.31mm²
- 6mm diameter
- Compact and discreet
OdysseyX
- Silver-plated OFC
- XLPE insulation
- Twisted-pair geometry
- 12AWG
- 3.31mm²
- 8mm diameter
- Heavier-gauge construction
Compare Chord Company OdysseyX Speaker Cable at Audio T.
RumourX Versus ShawlineX
ShawlineX is directly based on RumourX and shares its fundamental conductor size, material, insulation and twisted-pair geometry.
The major difference is shielding.
RumourX
- 16AWG / 1.31mm²
- Silver-plated OFC
- XLPE insulation
- Twisted-pair geometry
- No additional shielding
- PVC outer jacket
- 6mm diameter
ShawlineX
- 16AWG / 1.31mm²
- Silver-plated high-purity OFC
- XLPE insulation
- Twisted-pair geometry
- PVC internal jacket
- High-density foil shielding
- 93% coverage metal braid
- 9.1mm diameter
ShawlineX is therefore the obvious upgrade where you like the fundamental RumourX design but want Chord Company's more sophisticated high-frequency shielding.
Can RumourX Be Used Bare?
Yes, where the amplifier and loudspeaker terminals are designed to accept bare speaker cable.
The conductors should be stripped carefully and securely clamped into the binding posts, with no stray strands able to bridge the positive and negative terminals.
Switch the Amplifier Off Before Connecting
Always power the amplifier down before fitting, removing or preparing speaker cable.
Check carefully that exposed conductors cannot short the positive and negative amplifier terminals together.
ChordOhmic Termination
RumourX is also compatible with Chord Company's:
- ChordOhmic 4mm banana plugs
- ChordOhmic spade connectors
Current ChordOhmic connectors use ChorAlloy™ plated contact surfaces and can be professionally crimped to compatible speaker cables.
If you would prefer a professionally terminated cable set, contact your local Audio T store before ordering.
Correct Speaker Polarity
Maintain the same polarity on both channels:
- Amplifier positive to loudspeaker positive
- Amplifier negative to loudspeaker negative
Connecting one loudspeaker with reversed polarity can significantly affect bass response and stereo imaging.
Measure the Cable Route Properly
Measure the actual route the cable will take rather than simply the shortest distance between amplifier and loudspeaker.
Allow for:
- Equipment-rack depth
- Furniture
- Skirting-board routes
- Final speaker positioning
- Enough slack to disconnect equipment safely
A Little Extra Is Better Than Being a Little Short
Once speaker cable has travelled behind an equipment rack and around the edge of the room, that carefully measured 3 metres can disappear surprisingly quickly.
Allow enough slack for a tidy installation without leaving the cable pulled tight.
Award-Winning Speaker Cable
RumourX has received numerous awards over its long life, including What Hi-Fi? Product of the Year in 2022.
It remains current and was once again named a What Hi-Fi? Award winner in 2025.
RumourX in Real Audio T Systems
Audio T has used RumourX extensively in demonstration systems over the years.
Our Cheltenham team, for example, has used it with compact Ophidian Minimo 2 loudspeakers and with DALI Menuet SE speakers, demonstrating how comfortably the cable can fit into capable systems without visually dominating them.
Read: The New Ophidian Minimo 2 - Small Is Beautiful
Read: DALI Menuet - A Special Edition Stunner
Key Features
- Chord Company RumourX
- Unterminated speaker cable
- Sold per metre
- Continuous run wherever possible
- Silver-plated oxygen-free copper
- 16AWG conductors
- 1.31mm² conductor area
- XLPE conductor insulation
- Twisted-pair configuration
- No additional shielding
- PVC outer jacket
- 6mm overall diameter
- Compact and discreet design
- Suitable for high-spec installations
- Suitable for lifestyle systems
- Suitable for serious stereo systems
- Suitable for standmount loudspeakers
- Suitable for compatible floorstanding loudspeakers
- ChordOhmic 4mm termination compatible
- ChordOhmic spade termination compatible
- Same fundamental conductor design as ShawlineX
- OdysseyX heavier-gauge upgrade option
- Multiple What Hi-Fi? award winner
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chord Company RumourX?
RumourX is a compact speaker cable using 16AWG silver-plated OFC conductors, XLPE insulation and twisted-pair geometry.
Is this RumourX sold per metre?
Yes. This Audio T product is the unterminated version priced per metre.
Does it include connectors?
No. Banana plugs, spades and other terminations are not included.
If I order 6 metres, will I receive one continuous length?
Yes. Multiple metres are supplied as one continuous run wherever possible.
How much cable do I need for a stereo system?
Add together the required cable run to both speakers. Two 3m speaker runs, for example, normally require around 6 metres in total.
What conductor material does RumourX use?
Silver-plated oxygen-free copper.
What gauge is RumourX?
16AWG.
What is its conductor cross-sectional area?
1.31mm².
What insulation does RumourX use?
XLPE, or cross-linked polyethylene.
Is RumourX shielded?
No. Chord Company's current specification lists no additional shielding.
What is the cable diameter?
6mm.
Why is RumourX so slim?
Its 16AWG twisted-pair construction allows Chord Company to package the conductors into a relatively compact 6mm cable.
Is RumourX suitable for standmount speakers?
Yes. Its performance and discreet dimensions make it particularly attractive for quality standmount systems.
Can RumourX be used with floorstanding speakers?
Yes. Chord Company positions RumourX for a very wide range of systems. OdysseyX is worth considering where a heavier 12AWG conductor is preferred.
What is the difference between RumourX and OdysseyX?
They use the same fundamental silver-plated OFC, XLPE and twisted-pair construction, but OdysseyX increases the conductor size from 16AWG / 1.31mm² to 12AWG / 3.31mm².
What is the difference between RumourX and ShawlineX?
ShawlineX uses the same fundamental 16AWG conductor construction but adds a PVC internal jacket, high-density foil shielding and a 93% coverage metal braid.
Can RumourX be used bare?
Yes, provided the amplifier and loudspeaker terminals accept bare wire and the conductors are correctly prepared.
Can RumourX be professionally terminated?
Yes. Chord Company supports factory termination and ChordOhmic 4mm banana and spade connectors.
What are ChordOhmic connectors?
They are Chord Company's purpose-designed ChorAlloy™ plated 4mm banana and spade speaker connectors, intended for high-pressure crimp termination.
Is RumourX still a current Chord Company cable?
Yes. RumourX remains part of Chord Company's current speaker-cable range.
Has RumourX won awards?
Yes. It is a multiple What Hi-Fi? award winner, including Product of the Year in 2022 and another award in 2025.
Can Audio T help calculate how much cable I need?
Yes. Give your local Audio T store the amplifier position, loudspeaker positions and intended cable route and we can help calculate a sensible total length.
Related Chord Company Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy From Audio T?
- RumourX supplied per metre
- Help calculating the correct cable length
- Bare-wire connection advice
- ChordOhmic termination guidance
- RumourX, OdysseyX and ShawlineX comparison advice
- Help matching speaker cable to your amplifier and loudspeakers
- Custom-installation guidance
- In-store demonstrations where appropriate
- Home demonstrations where appropriate
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store if you would like help calculating how much RumourX you need, arranging termination or comparing it with OdysseyX and ShawlineX in your system.