Audio T Verdict
Chord Company OdysseyX has been around in one form or another for decades, and there is a good reason it remains in the range. It combines substantial conductors with a relatively straightforward construction, making it an excellent option for systems that need something more serious than an entry-level speaker cable without immediately moving into heavily shielded designs.
The current OdysseyX uses chunky 12AWG silver-plated oxygen-free copper conductors, each insulated with XLPE and arranged as a twisted pair. Those are the same fundamental conductors Chord Company uses further up the range in EpicX and EpicXL.
Compared with RumourX, OdysseyX keeps the same basic material recipe but increases the conductor size considerably. The result is an 8mm cable that remains reasonably discreet while being particularly well suited to capable amplifiers and floorstanding loudspeakers.
This Audio T version is supplied unterminated and priced by the metre, making it ideal when you want to specify the exact length required for your room or arrange termination separately.
Chord Company OdysseyX Speaker Cable - Unterminated Per Metre
OdysseyX is a heavy-gauge loudspeaker cable using silver-plated oxygen-free copper conductors, XLPE insulation and Chord Company's 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 OdysseyX speaker cable supplied from the reel.
Banana plugs, spades and other connectors are not included in the per-metre price.
If you require termination, contact Audio T to discuss the most suitable option for your amplifier and loudspeakers.
How Ordering Per Metre Works
The quantity selected represents the total number of metres of OdysseyX required.
For example:
- Quantity 1: 1 metre
- Quantity 4: 4 metre continuous run
- Quantity 6: 6 metre continuous run
- Quantity 10: 10 metre continuous run
Multiple metres will be supplied as one continuous length wherever possible rather than individual one-metre sections.
Remember You Need Cable for Both Speakers
A conventional stereo system requires separate cable runs for the left and right loudspeakers.
If both speakers require approximately 3 metres, you would normally order around 6 metres in total.
Allow some additional length for equipment-rack depth, furniture and final speaker positioning.
12AWG Conductors
OdysseyX uses substantial:
12AWG positive and negative conductors.
Chord Company publishes a conductor cross-sectional area of:
3.31mm².
This is considerably heavier than the 16AWG conductors used in RumourX and gives OdysseyX its position as the heavier-gauge alternative within this part of the Chord Company range.
Silver-Plated Oxygen-Free Copper
The conductors are made from:
Silver-plated oxygen-free copper.
The same fundamental conductor technology is also used in Chord Company's EpicX and EpicXL speaker cables.
XLPE Insulation
The current OdysseyX uses:
XLPE conductor insulation.
XLPE stands for cross-linked polyethylene.
Earlier generations of Odyssey used PTFE insulation, but Chord Company moved to XLPE after identifying a formulation it preferred during development and listening tests.
Twisted-Pair Geometry
The positive and negative conductors use a:
Twisted-pair configuration.
This maintains a controlled relationship between the conductors along the full cable run and is a construction method Chord Company uses across several of its speaker-cable designs.
White Outer Jacket
OdysseyX uses its familiar:
White outer jacket.
The understated finish keeps the cable relatively discreet despite its substantial internal conductor size.
8mm Overall Diameter
The current OdysseyX has an overall diameter of:
8mm.
This keeps it considerably easier to route than some larger high-performance speaker cables while still accommodating its heavy 12AWG conductors.
Ideal for Floorstanding Speakers
Chord Company particularly highlights OdysseyX as a strong partner for floorstanding loudspeakers.
The substantial conductor size makes it a natural choice for capable stereo amplifiers and speakers where a heavier-gauge cable is appropriate.
Suitable for Standmount Speakers
OdysseyX is not restricted to floorstanders.
It can equally be used with high-quality standmount loudspeakers where the amplifier, speakers and overall system justify a cable at this level.
Suitable for Longer Domestic Runs
The heavy conductor size also makes OdysseyX useful where the room requires a longer-than-average speaker-cable route.
Measure the actual path around furniture and equipment rather than simply the straight-line distance from amplifier to speaker.
Measure Before Ordering
Speaker cable has an irritating habit of becoming shorter once it has travelled behind a rack, around furniture and out to the loudspeaker.
Give yourself enough cable for sensible routing and future adjustment without leaving the run pulled tight.
OdysseyX Versus RumourX
OdysseyX uses the same fundamental materials as RumourX but with substantially heavier conductors.
RumourX
- Silver-plated OFC conductors
- XLPE insulation
- Twisted-pair geometry
- 16AWG
- 1.31mm²
- 6mm diameter
- Particularly discreet
OdysseyX
- Silver-plated OFC conductors
- XLPE insulation
- Twisted-pair geometry
- 12AWG
- 3.31mm²
- 8mm diameter
- Heavier-gauge construction
OdysseyX Versus ShawlineX
Chord Company specifically recommends comparing OdysseyX with the similarly positioned ShawlineX.
The two cables take different approaches:
OdysseyX
- Heavy 12AWG conductors
- 3.31mm²
- Silver-plated OFC
- XLPE insulation
- Twisted pair
- Simpler outer construction
- 8mm diameter
ShawlineX
- Smaller 16AWG conductors
- 1.31mm²
- Silver-plated high-purity OFC
- XLPE insulation
- Twisted pair
- High-density foil and 93% braid shielding
- 9.1mm diameter
The choice is therefore not simply a case of one being higher in the range. OdysseyX prioritises heavier conductors, while ShawlineX uses a smaller conductor with a more sophisticated shielded construction.
OdysseyX Versus EpicX
EpicX is directly based on OdysseyX and uses the same fundamental 12AWG silver-plated OFC conductor construction.
The key step up is shielding.
OdysseyX
- 12AWG
- 3.31mm²
- Silver-plated OFC
- XLPE insulation
- Twisted-pair geometry
- 8mm diameter
EpicX
- 12AWG
- 3.31mm²
- Silver-plated OFC
- XLPE insulation
- Twisted-pair geometry
- High-density foil shield
- 93% coverage metal braid
- 11mm diameter
Compare Chord Company EpicX Speaker Cable at Audio T.
Can OdysseyX Be Used Bare?
Yes, where the amplifier and loudspeaker binding posts are designed to accept bare speaker cable.
The conductor should be stripped carefully and clamped securely, with no loose strands able to bridge the positive and negative terminals.
ChordOhmic Termination
OdysseyX can also be professionally terminated using Chord Company's purpose-designed:
- ChordOhmic 4mm banana plugs
- ChordOhmic spade connectors
If you would prefer a finished cable set rather than bare wire, contact Audio T before ordering to discuss suitable termination.
Switch the Amplifier Off Before Connecting Speaker Cable
Always power the amplifier down before fitting, removing or preparing speaker cable.
Make sure exposed conductors cannot short the positive and negative amplifier terminals together.
Correct Speaker Polarity
Maintain the same polarity on both channels:
- Amplifier positive to loudspeaker positive
- Amplifier negative to loudspeaker negative
Reversing one channel can significantly affect bass response, stereo imaging and overall coherence.
OdysseyX in a Real Audio T System
Audio T Cheltenham recently used OdysseyX in an affordable but ambitious system combining the Arcam CD5 and A5+ with Acoustic Energy AE300² loudspeakers.
It is a useful real-world example of OdysseyX being used as part of a complete system rather than treated as an afterthought.
Read: Affordable Hi-Fi with Arcam and Acoustic Energy at Audio T Cheltenham
Key Features
- Chord Company OdysseyX
- Unterminated speaker cable
- Sold per metre
- Continuous run wherever possible
- 12AWG conductors
- 3.31mm² conductor area
- Silver-plated oxygen-free copper
- XLPE conductor insulation
- Twisted-pair construction
- White outer jacket
- 8mm overall diameter
- Heavier-gauge alternative to RumourX
- Same fundamental conductors as EpicX
- Same fundamental conductors as EpicXL
- Suitable for floorstanding loudspeakers
- Suitable for standmount loudspeakers
- Suitable for capable stereo systems
- Suitable for custom cable lengths
- ChordOhmic 4mm termination compatible
- ChordOhmic spade termination compatible
- ShawlineX comparison option
- EpicX upgrade path
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chord Company OdysseyX?
OdysseyX is a heavy-gauge speaker cable using 12AWG silver-plated OFC conductors, XLPE insulation and twisted-pair geometry.
Is this OdysseyX sold per metre?
Yes. This Audio T product is the unterminated version priced per metre.
Does it include connectors?
No. It is supplied as bare, unterminated speaker cable.
If I order 6 metres, will it arrive as one length?
Yes. Multiple metres are supplied as one continuous run wherever possible.
How much cable do I need for stereo?
Add together the required left and right speaker runs. Two 3m runs, for example, normally require approximately 6 metres in total.
What conductor material does OdysseyX use?
Silver-plated oxygen-free copper.
What gauge is OdysseyX?
12AWG.
What is the conductor cross-sectional area?
3.31mm².
What insulation does OdysseyX use?
XLPE, or cross-linked polyethylene.
What is the cable diameter?
8mm.
What colour is OdysseyX?
The current cable uses Chord Company's familiar white outer jacket.
What is the difference between RumourX and OdysseyX?
Both use silver-plated OFC, XLPE insulation and twisted-pair geometry, but OdysseyX increases the conductor size from RumourX's 16AWG / 1.31mm² to 12AWG / 3.31mm².
What is the difference between OdysseyX and ShawlineX?
OdysseyX uses larger 12AWG conductors, while ShawlineX uses smaller 16AWG conductors together with high-density foil and 93% braid shielding.
What is the difference between OdysseyX and EpicX?
EpicX uses the same fundamental 12AWG silver-plated OFC and XLPE conductor construction but adds high-density foil and 93% metal-braid shielding.
Is OdysseyX suitable for floorstanding speakers?
Yes. Chord Company particularly highlights OdysseyX as a strong choice for floorstanding loudspeakers.
Can OdysseyX be used with standmount speakers?
Yes. It can be used with any suitable loudspeaker system where its cable size and performance level are appropriate.
Can OdysseyX be professionally terminated?
Yes. Chord Company supports ChordOhmic 4mm banana and spade termination. Contact Audio T to discuss the appropriate configuration.
Can Audio T help calculate how much I need?
Yes. Give your local Audio T store the amplifier position, loudspeaker positions and approximate cable routes and we can help calculate a sensible total length.
Related Chord Company Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy From Audio T?
- OdysseyX supplied per metre
- Help calculating the correct cable length
- Speaker-cable termination advice
- ChordOhmic banana and spade guidance
- RumourX, OdysseyX and ShawlineX comparison advice
- EpicX upgrade guidance
- Help matching cable to amplifier and loudspeakers
- 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 OdysseyX you need or deciding whether OdysseyX, ShawlineX or EpicX is the best match for your system.