Audio T Verdict
Chord Company EpicX is a serious step up from more conventional speaker cable, combining substantial 12AWG silver-plated oxygen-free copper conductors with XLPE insulation and a comprehensive high-frequency shielding system.
It shares its fundamental conductor technology with Chord Company's OdysseyX, but EpicX adds high-density foil and 93% coverage metal-braid shielding. That extra construction is designed to help reduce the influence of unwanted high-frequency interference around the speaker-cable connection.
This unterminated version is sold by the metre, making it ideal for custom installations, unusual room layouts or anyone who wants to specify exactly how much cable their system requires before arranging termination separately.
Its 12AWG / 3.31mm² conductors also make EpicX particularly well suited to capable amplifiers and loudspeakers where the rest of the system is revealing enough to justify a more ambitious speaker cable.
If you are unsure how much cable you need, speak to your local Audio T store before ordering. It is much easier to allow the correct amount at the start than discover the finished run is 20cm short behind the equipment rack.
Chord Company EpicX Speaker Cable - Unterminated Per Metre
EpicX is a high-performance shielded loudspeaker cable from Chord Company's Epic range.
This particular Audio T product is supplied:
Unterminated and priced per metre.
Sold Per Metre - No Connectors Included
This product is bare EpicX speaker cable supplied from the reel.
Banana plugs, spade connectors and other terminations are not included in the per-metre price.
If you require a professionally terminated EpicX stereo pair, Audio T also offers finished EpicX cable sets separately.
How Ordering Per Metre Works
The quantity selected represents the total number of metres of unterminated EpicX cable required.
For example:
- Quantity 1: 1 metre
- Quantity 2: 2 metre continuous run
- Quantity 5: 5 metre continuous run
- Quantity 10: 10 metre continuous run
Multiple metres will be supplied as one continuous cable run wherever possible rather than individual one-metre pieces.
Remember You Normally Need Two Speaker Runs
A conventional stereo system requires cable for both the left and right loudspeaker.
If each speaker needs approximately 3 metres of cable, you would normally order around 6 metres in total.
Allow a sensible amount of additional cable for routing around furniture, the depth of your equipment rack and fine adjustment of speaker positioning.
Based on Chord Company OdysseyX
EpicX shares its basic conductor construction with Chord Company's OdysseyX speaker cable.
Both designs use:
- 12AWG conductors
- 3.31mm² conductor cross-sectional area
- Silver-plated oxygen-free copper
- XLPE insulation
- Twisted-pair geometry
EpicX then adds its more elaborate high-frequency combination shielding and translucent PVC outer jacket.
12AWG Conductors
EpicX uses substantial:
12AWG positive and negative conductors.
Chord Company publishes a conductor cross-sectional area of:
3.31mm².
The substantial conductor size makes EpicX suitable for a wide range of capable stereo systems and longer domestic cable runs.
Silver-Plated Oxygen-Free Copper
The EpicX conductors are made from:
Silver-plated oxygen-free copper.
This combines an OFC conductor with a silver-plated outer surface and forms the basis of several Chord Company speaker-cable designs.
XLPE Insulation
Each conductor uses:
XLPE insulation.
XLPE stands for cross-linked polyethylene and is widely used throughout Chord Company's current X-generation cable range.
Twisted-Pair Geometry
The positive and negative conductors are arranged in a:
Twisted-pair configuration.
This maintains a controlled relationship between the two conductors throughout the cable run.
High-Density Foil Shielding
A defining feature of EpicX is its:
High-density foil shield.
This surrounds the internal conductor assembly and forms the first part of the cable's high-frequency combination shielding.
93% Coverage Metal Braid
The foil shielding is supplemented by:
A metal braid providing 93% coverage.
Together, the foil and braid provide substantially more comprehensive shielding than an unshielded conventional speaker cable.
Why Shield a Speaker Cable?
Modern Hi-Fi systems often operate alongside televisions, network equipment, computers, wireless products, chargers and switch-mode power supplies.
All of these can contribute high-frequency electrical activity to the environment surrounding the system.
Chord Company uses the combination foil and braid shield in EpicX as part of its approach to reducing the influence of unwanted high-frequency interference around the speaker connection.
Translucent PVC Outer Jacket
The complete cable assembly is protected by a:
Translucent PVC outer jacket.
This gives EpicX its distinctive appearance while protecting the internal conductor and shielding structure.
11mm Overall Diameter
Chord Company publishes an overall cable diameter of:
11mm.
EpicX is therefore a fairly substantial speaker cable, so allow adequate room when routing it behind equipment, furniture or through cable-management systems.
Plan the Cable Route Before Ordering
Measure the actual route from amplifier to loudspeaker rather than the shortest straight-line distance between them.
Take into account skirting boards, furniture, equipment racks, speaker positioning and enough slack to connect and disconnect equipment without putting unnecessary strain on the cable.
Can EpicX Be Used Bare?
Where compatible amplifier and loudspeaker binding posts accept bare wire, EpicX can be connected without plugs.
However, the substantial 12AWG conductors need to be prepared carefully and securely clamped into the terminals.
Exposed conductor should also be kept to the minimum required, with no loose strands capable of bridging positive and negative terminals.
Take Care When Preparing Unterminated Cable
EpicX is a relatively substantial cable with multiple construction layers.
If you are not confident stripping and preparing speaker cable correctly, we recommend arranging professional termination rather than risking damage to the conductors or an insecure connection.
Professional ChordOhmic Termination
EpicX is designed to partner Chord Company's:
ChordOhmic loudspeaker connectors.
Compatible termination options include:
- ChordOhmic 4mm banana plugs
- ChordOhmic spade connectors
Participating Chord Company dealers can professionally terminate EpicX using the specialist ChordOhmic Hex Gun.
ChordOhmic Hex Gun Termination
The ChordOhmic Hex Gun applies extremely high pressure to the connection between cable and plug, producing a secure crimp-style termination without conventional soldering.
Audio T staff have used the same process while building EpicX speaker cables during hands-on training at Chord Company's Amesbury headquarters.
Read: Cable Guys for a Day - A Visit to Chord Company HQ
Want Your EpicX Professionally Terminated?
Contact your local Audio T store before ordering if you would like advice on cable length, banana or spade connections, or professional termination.
We can help ensure you order the correct amount of cable for the finished stereo pair.
Ideal for Custom Installations
Selling EpicX from the reel makes it particularly useful where the installation does not suit conventional pre-terminated cable lengths.
This can include:
- Equipment racks positioned away from the loudspeakers
- Rooms requiring different left and right cable routes
- Longer cable runs around walls or furniture
- Hidden or semi-concealed domestic installations
- Systems requiring a particular finished cable length
Can the Left and Right Runs Be Different Lengths?
Real rooms do not always position the amplifier centrally between the loudspeakers.
Where practical, matching cable lengths provide a straightforward installation, but there is little sense in purchasing many unnecessary metres simply to make both runs identical if the room layout is heavily asymmetric.
If you are unsure, discuss the proposed cable routes with Audio T before ordering.
Suitable for Floorstanding Speakers
EpicX is particularly well suited to capable floorstanding loudspeakers and amplifiers where the system can make worthwhile use of its substantial conductors and shielded construction.
Suitable for Standmount Speakers
EpicX can equally be used with high-quality standmount loudspeakers.
The suitability of the cable is determined more by the overall level and requirements of the system than by the physical size of the loudspeaker.
EpicX Versus OdysseyX
OdysseyX
- 12AWG conductors
- 3.31mm² conductor area
- Silver-plated OFC
- XLPE insulation
- Twisted-pair configuration
- More straightforward cable construction
EpicX
- 12AWG conductors
- 3.31mm² conductor area
- Silver-plated OFC
- XLPE insulation
- Twisted-pair configuration
- High-density foil shield
- 93% coverage metal braid
- Translucent outer jacket
Compare Chord Company OdysseyX Speaker Cable at Audio T.
EpicX Versus EpicXL
EpicXL sits above EpicX in Chord Company's speaker-cable range and takes the shielding concept considerably further.
EpicX
- 12AWG / 3.31mm²
- Silver-plated OFC
- XLPE insulation
- Combined foil and braid shielding
- 93% braid coverage
- 11mm diameter
EpicXL
- 12AWG / 3.31mm²
- Silver-plated high-purity OFC
- XLPE insulation
- Positive conductor individually shielded
- Negative conductor individually shielded
- 95% braid coverage
- 2 x 7.5mm construction
Compare Chord Company EpicXL Speaker Cable at Audio T.
Single-Wire Speaker Cable
EpicX is a two-conductor speaker cable intended for conventional single-wire loudspeaker connections.
If your loudspeakers provide separate high-frequency and low-frequency terminals, they can normally still be used with EpicX provided the manufacturer's appropriate terminal links remain correctly fitted.
Correct Speaker Polarity
Maintain correct polarity when preparing and connecting the cable:
- Amplifier positive to loudspeaker positive
- Amplifier negative to loudspeaker negative
Connecting one loudspeaker with reversed polarity can significantly affect bass performance, stereo imaging and overall coherence.
Switch the Amplifier Off Before Connecting
Always power the amplifier down before preparing, fitting, removing or changing speaker cable.
Make absolutely sure that exposed conductors cannot bridge the positive and negative terminals.
EpicX at Audio T
EpicX is a cable Audio T has used extensively in real demonstration systems and during hands-on training with Chord Company.
Our Cardiff team has also highlighted EpicX as one of its favourite Chord Company speaker cables, while Audio T staff have personally prepared and terminated EpicX at Chord Company's UK headquarters.
Read: Do Hi-Fi Cables Make a Difference?
Read: Cable Guys for a Day - A Visit to Chord Company HQ
Key Features
- Chord Company EpicX speaker cable
- Unterminated cable
- Sold per metre
- Supplied from the reel
- Continuous cable run where possible
- Ideal for custom lengths
- 12AWG conductors
- 3.31mm² conductor area
- Silver-plated oxygen-free copper
- XLPE conductor insulation
- Twisted-pair configuration
- High-density foil shielding
- 93% coverage metal braid
- High-frequency combination shielding
- Translucent PVC outer jacket
- 11mm overall diameter
- ChordOhmic termination compatible
- 4mm banana termination available separately
- Spade termination available separately
- Professional termination available
- Suitable for floorstanding loudspeakers
- Suitable for standmount loudspeakers
- Suitable for custom installations
- OdysseyX comparison option
- EpicXL upgrade path
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chord Company EpicX?
EpicX is a shielded 12AWG loudspeaker cable using silver-plated OFC conductors, XLPE insulation and high-density foil and braid shielding.
Is this EpicX sold per metre?
Yes. This Audio T product is the unterminated version supplied by the metre.
Does it include connectors?
No. Banana plugs, spades and other terminations are not included.
If I order 5 metres, will it arrive as one length?
Yes. Multiple metres are supplied as a single continuous run wherever possible.
How much do I need for a stereo pair?
Add together the required run to the left speaker and the required run to the right speaker. For two 3m runs, for example, you would normally order approximately 6 metres.
Can EpicX be used bare?
Yes, where the amplifier and loudspeaker terminals are suitable, although the cable must be correctly stripped and securely clamped.
Can EpicX be professionally terminated?
Yes. ChordOhmic 4mm and spade termination options are available. Contact Audio T to discuss professional termination.
What conductor material does EpicX use?
Silver-plated oxygen-free copper.
What gauge is EpicX?
12AWG.
What is the conductor cross-sectional area?
3.31mm².
What insulation does EpicX use?
XLPE, or cross-linked polyethylene.
Is EpicX shielded?
Yes. It uses high-density foil shielding together with a metal braid providing 93% coverage.
What is the diameter of EpicX?
11mm.
What is the difference between OdysseyX and EpicX?
Both use 12AWG silver-plated OFC conductors and XLPE insulation. EpicX adds high-density foil and 93% metal-braid shielding.
What is the difference between EpicX and EpicXL?
EpicXL goes further by separately shielding its positive and negative conductors rather than applying one combined shield around the cable assembly.
Can I use EpicX with floorstanding speakers?
Yes. Its substantial conductor size and shielded construction make it particularly suitable for capable floorstanding loudspeakers.
Can I use EpicX with standmount speakers?
Yes. The overall quality and requirements of the system are more important than the physical size of the loudspeaker.
Can Audio T help me calculate how much cable I need?
Yes. Contact your local Audio T store with your amplifier position, speaker positions and approximate cable route and we can help calculate a sensible total length.
Related Chord Company Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy From Audio T?
- EpicX unterminated cable supplied per metre
- Help calculating the correct total cable length
- Custom-installation guidance
- ChordOhmic termination advice
- Banana and spade connection advice
- Professional termination available
- OdysseyX, EpicX and EpicXL comparison advice
- 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 EpicX you need or arranging suitable ChordOhmic termination for your system.