Audio T Verdict
Chord Company EpicXL is where the Epic speaker-cable range takes a sizeable step towards the construction used in SignatureXL. Rather than placing one shield around the complete positive and negative conductor pair, EpicXL individually shields both conductors before twisting and clamping them together.
Those conductors remain substantial 12AWG silver-plated high-purity oxygen-free copper, insulated with XLPE, but each receives its own high-density foil and 95% coverage braid shield. A soft PVC internal jacket is also used to maintain the intended spacing between conductor and shield while helping reduce mechanical noise.
The result is a considerably more elaborate cable than EpicX while retaining the same fundamental 12AWG conductor size. It is particularly well suited to revealing amplifiers and loudspeakers where the rest of the system is already capable enough for cable changes to become meaningful.
EpicXL is not an off-the-reel cable in the same sense as many lower Chord Company speaker cables. Each finished set is built to order, with the individually shielded conductors twisted together, clamped and professionally terminated with ChordOhmic connectors.
At this level, we'd strongly recommend hearing it rather than buying on specification alone. Audio T can arrange demonstrations where available and help compare EpicXL with EpicX and SignatureXL in a suitably revealing system.
Chord Company EpicXL Speaker Cable
EpicXL combines technology from Chord Company's Epic and Signature speaker-cable ranges.
Each stereo pair is:
Built to order by Chord Company in the UK.
The separately shielded positive and negative conductors are twisted together and mechanically clamped before the cable is professionally terminated.
Built to Order
EpicXL is manufactured as a finished speaker-cable set rather than simply being supplied as a generic pre-cut cable.
Availability may therefore depend on the required length and termination. Contact Audio T if you require a configuration not shown in the current selector.
Current Audio T Terminated Pairs
Audio T currently lists EpicXL as finished banana-to-banana stereo pairs in selected lengths including:
- 1.5m pair
- 2.5m pair
- 3m pair
- 5m pair
- 6m pair
Both left and right speaker cables are supplied at the selected length.
What Does a 3m Pair Mean?
A 3m pair contains two speaker cables, each approximately 3 metres long: one for the left loudspeaker and one for the right.
It does not mean that 3 metres of cable is divided between the two channels.
12AWG Conductors
EpicXL uses:
12AWG positive and negative conductors.
The published conductor cross-sectional area is:
3.31mm².
This is the same fundamental conductor gauge used in EpicX, but EpicXL applies a significantly more sophisticated shielding architecture around the individual conductors.
Silver-Plated High-Purity OFC
Chord Company specifies the conductors as:
Silver-plated high-purity oxygen-free copper.
The substantial conductor size is combined with silver plating and a carefully controlled insulation and shielding structure.
XLPE Insulation
EpicXL uses:
XLPE conductor insulation.
XLPE stands for cross-linked polyethylene.
The previous Epic Reference cable used PTFE insulation, but Chord Company subsequently moved EpicXL to a carefully selected form of XLPE following extensive listening tests.
Twisted-Pair Configuration
The finished positive and negative conductor assemblies are:
Twisted together as a pair.
They are then clamped to maintain their intended relationship within the complete cable assembly.
Individually Shielded Positive and Negative Conductors
The defining technical difference between EpicX and EpicXL is that:
Each positive and negative conductor is shielded separately.
Rather than enclosing both conductors within one common outer screen, EpicXL surrounds each conductor assembly with its own high-frequency shielding system.
High-Density Foil Shield
Each individual conductor uses:
A high-density foil shield.
This forms the first layer of EpicXL's separate conductor shielding.
95% Coverage Metal Braid
The foil shielding is supplemented by:
A metal braid providing 95% coverage.
Both positive and negative conductors therefore receive extensive high-frequency shielding before being twisted together into the finished pair.
Why Individually Shield the Conductors?
Modern Hi-Fi systems operate in an environment full of high-frequency electrical activity from computers, network equipment, televisions, wireless products, chargers and switch-mode power supplies.
Chord Company uses individual conductor shielding in EpicXL as part of its approach to reducing the influence of unwanted high-frequency interference around the speaker-cable connection.
The same broad individually shielded conductor concept is also found in the higher SignatureXL speaker cable.
Soft PVC Internal Jacket
Chord Company adds a:
Specially selected soft PVC internal jacket.
This helps maintain the intended spacing between the conductor and surrounding shield while reducing unwanted mechanical noise within the cable construction.
Translucent PVC Outer Jacket
The separately shielded conductor assemblies are protected by:
A translucent PVC outer jacket.
This gives EpicXL its distinctive twin-cable appearance while protecting the internal shielding.
2 x 7.5mm Construction
Chord Company publishes the physical diameter as:
2 x 7.5mm.
EpicXL therefore consists of two individually constructed and shielded conductor sections rather than one conventional round outer cable.
Allow Space Behind Your Equipment
EpicXL is a substantial speaker cable.
Allow enough room behind the amplifier and loudspeakers for the twin cable sections and connectors to curve naturally without being sharply bent or placing strain on the binding posts.
ChordOhmic 4mm Banana Plugs
Current EpicXL sets can be terminated with Chord Company's:
ChordOhmic 4mm banana plugs.
Audio T's currently listed finished pair options use banana connectors at both amplifier and loudspeaker ends.
ChordOhmic Spade Connectors
Chord Company also manufactures EpicXL with:
ChordOhmic spade connectors.
If your amplifier or loudspeakers require spades, or you need a mixed banana/spade arrangement, contact Audio T to discuss a suitable built-to-order configuration.
Check Your Binding Posts Before Ordering
The current Audio T selector is based around banana-to-banana finished pairs.
If either component requires spades or another termination arrangement, confirm the required connection with Audio T before ordering.
UK Factory Termination
Chord Company states that every EpicXL set is built to order and terminated at its UK factory.
This allows the complete cable assembly, conductor twisting, clamping and terminations to be produced as one finished speaker-cable set.
EpicXL Versus EpicX
EpicXL retains the same 12AWG / 3.31mm² silver-plated OFC conductor size as EpicX but changes the shielding arrangement significantly.
EpicX
- 12AWG conductors
- 3.31mm²
- Silver-plated OFC
- XLPE insulation
- Twisted-pair geometry
- One high-density foil shield around cable assembly
- 93% coverage metal braid
- 11mm overall diameter
EpicXL
- 12AWG conductors
- 3.31mm²
- Silver-plated high-purity OFC
- XLPE insulation
- Twisted-pair geometry
- Positive conductor shielded separately
- Negative conductor shielded separately
- 95% coverage metal braid
- 2 x 7.5mm construction
Compare Chord Company EpicX Speaker Cable at Audio T.
EpicXL Versus SignatureXL
SignatureXL develops the individually shielded conductor concept further by increasing the conductor size while retaining Chord Company's XLPE insulation and high-density foil and braid shielding.
EpicXL
- 12AWG
- 3.31mm²
- Silver-plated high-purity OFC
- XLPE insulation
- Individually shielded conductors
- High-density foil
- 95% metal braid
- 2 x 7.5mm diameter
SignatureXL
- 10AWG
- 5.26mm²
- Silver-plated high-purity OFC
- XLPE insulation
- Individually shielded conductors
- High-density foil
- 95% metal braid
- 2 x 8.5mm diameter
Single-Wire Speaker Cable
EpicXL is a conventional two-conductor speaker cable intended for high-quality single-wire loudspeaker connections.
If your loudspeakers have separate high-frequency and low-frequency terminals, the manufacturer's supplied links can normally remain fitted when using EpicXL as a single-wire cable.
Epic Speaker Links
Chord Company also manufactures dedicated Epic speaker links using EpicXL cable.
These can replace the basic pressed-metal links commonly supplied between the terminals of bi-wireable loudspeakers.
The current Epic speaker links are available with ChorAlloy™ plated 4mm and/or spade connectors.
Correct Speaker Polarity
Maintain the same polarity from amplifier to loudspeaker on both channels:
- Amplifier positive to speaker positive
- Amplifier negative to speaker negative
Connecting one loudspeaker with reversed polarity can significantly affect bass response, stereo imaging and overall coherence.
Switch the Amplifier Off Before Connecting
Always power the amplifier down before fitting, removing or changing loudspeaker cables.
Make sure speaker connectors cannot accidentally bridge the positive and negative amplifier terminals.
Choose the Correct Cable Length
Measure the real route that the speaker cable will take rather than simply measuring the straight-line distance from amplifier to loudspeaker.
Allow for:
- Equipment-rack depth
- Furniture
- Routing around walls
- Speaker positioning
- Future fine adjustment
- Enough slack to avoid pulling on connectors
Do Both Speaker Cables Need to Be the Same Length?
Matching cable lengths make for a straightforward installation, but room layouts do not always position the amplifier centrally between the speakers.
If your system requires substantially different left and right routes, discuss the installation with Audio T before ordering so we can recommend a sensible solution without adding unnecessary cable.
EpicXL in an Audio T Demonstration System
Audio T Manchester has used EpicXL in a high-performance demonstration system combining Naim's NSS 222 streamer/pre-amplifier and NAP 250 power amplifier with JERN loudspeakers.
Read: Chromey Yearns for JERN - Audio T Manchester
Professional Chord Company Termination at Audio T
Audio T has also worked directly with Chord Company's speaker-cable termination equipment.
Selected stores have historically been equipped to professionally terminate compatible Chord Company speaker cables, including cables up to EpicXL level.
Read: We're The Terminators - Chord Company Cables and Ohmic Speaker Plugs
Key Features
- Chord Company EpicXL
- Built-to-order speaker cable
- Finished stereo pair
- UK factory construction
- UK factory termination
- 12AWG conductors
- 3.31mm² conductor area
- Silver-plated high-purity OFC
- XLPE conductor insulation
- Twisted-pair configuration
- Separately shielded positive conductor
- Separately shielded negative conductor
- High-density foil shielding
- 95% coverage metal braid
- Soft PVC internal jacket
- Designed to minimise mechanical noise
- Translucent PVC outer jacket
- 2 x 7.5mm construction
- ChordOhmic 4mm banana compatible
- ChordOhmic spade compatible
- Banana-to-banana Audio T options
- Custom termination options available
- EpicX upgrade path
- SignatureXL upgrade path
- Epic speaker links available
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chord Company EpicXL?
EpicXL is a built-to-order high-performance speaker cable using 12AWG silver-plated high-purity OFC conductors, XLPE insulation and separate shielding around the positive and negative conductors.
Is EpicXL supplied as a pair?
Yes. Audio T's EpicXL options are finished stereo speaker-cable pairs.
Is EpicXL sold per metre?
The current Audio T product is based around finished built-to-order pairs rather than an unterminated per-metre purchasing option.
What conductor material does EpicXL use?
Silver-plated high-purity oxygen-free copper.
What gauge is EpicXL?
12AWG.
What is the conductor cross-sectional area?
3.31mm².
What insulation does EpicXL use?
XLPE, or cross-linked polyethylene.
Are the positive and negative conductors separately shielded?
Yes. This is one of the defining construction features of EpicXL.
What shielding does EpicXL use?
Each conductor uses high-density foil and a metal braid providing 95% coverage.
What is the cable diameter?
Chord Company publishes the construction as 2 x 7.5mm.
Why is EpicXL shaped like two cables?
The positive and negative conductors are constructed and shielded separately before being twisted and clamped together.
What is the internal PVC jacket for?
Chord Company uses a specially selected soft PVC internal jacket to maintain the intended shield spacing and help minimise mechanical noise.
What connectors does EpicXL use?
Chord Company offers ChordOhmic 4mm banana and spade connectors.
What termination does Audio T currently list?
The standard Audio T selector is based around banana-to-banana finished pairs.
Can I order EpicXL with spades?
Yes. Contact Audio T to discuss the required built-to-order termination.
Is EpicXL built in the UK?
Yes. Chord Company states that each EpicXL set is built to order and terminated at its UK factory.
What is the difference between EpicX and EpicXL?
Both use 12AWG / 3.31mm² silver-plated OFC conductors and XLPE insulation. EpicXL separately shields the positive and negative conductors with high-density foil and 95% braid, whereas EpicX uses one combination shield around the cable assembly.
What is the difference between EpicXL and SignatureXL?
Both use separately shielded silver-plated OFC conductors and XLPE insulation, but SignatureXL increases the conductor size from EpicXL's 12AWG / 3.31mm² to 10AWG / 5.26mm².
Can EpicXL be used with bi-wireable loudspeakers?
Yes, as a single-wire speaker cable with the loudspeaker's appropriate terminal links fitted. Chord Company also manufactures dedicated Epic speaker links.
Can Audio T demonstrate EpicXL?
Contact your local Audio T store to discuss in-store or home demonstration availability.
Related Chord Company Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy From Audio T?
- EpicX and EpicXL comparison advice
- SignatureXL upgrade guidance
- Help calculating the correct speaker-cable length
- Banana and spade termination advice
- Custom built-to-order configuration guidance
- Speaker-link advice for bi-wireable loudspeakers
- Amplifier and loudspeaker matching guidance
- In-store demonstrations where appropriate
- Home demonstrations where appropriate
- System-specific cable recommendations
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store if you would like to compare EpicXL with EpicX or SignatureXL, or discuss the best length and termination for your system.