Audio T Verdict
Chord Company Leyline2X is a speaker cable with a slightly different brief to most of the range. Rather than chasing elaborate shielding or exotic conductor materials, it has been designed to deliver strong, consistent performance while remaining affordable, discreet and practical enough for long cable runs and permanent installations.
Its 16AWG conductors use stranded oxygen-free copper with a tinned surface, helping protect the copper against oxidisation while making Leyline2X particularly suitable for installations where the cable may eventually disappear behind furniture, beneath floors or into the fabric of a room.
The current X-generation cable also uses XLPE insulation, twisted-pair geometry and a low-smoke zero-halogen outer jacket, all contained within a slim 6mm overall diameter.
That makes Leyline2X particularly useful for rear and surround speakers in home-cinema systems, multi-room installations and conventional stereo systems where long, discreet cable runs are more important than having a large and visually imposing speaker cable.
This Audio T product is supplied unterminated and priced by the metre, allowing you to order the amount required for your installation.
Chord Company Leyline2X Speaker Cable - Unterminated Per Metre
Leyline2X is Chord Company's affordable high-performance installation speaker cable for Hi-Fi, home cinema and custom AV systems.
This Audio T product is supplied:
Unterminated and priced per metre.
Sold Per Metre - No Connectors Included
This product is bare Leyline2X speaker cable supplied from the reel.
Banana plugs, spade connectors and other terminations are not included in the per-metre price.
If you would like advice on suitable termination, contact your local Audio T store before ordering.
How Ordering Per Metre Works
The quantity selected represents the total number of metres of cable required.
For example:
- Quantity 1: 1 metre
- Quantity 5: 5 metre continuous run
- Quantity 10: 10 metre continuous run
- Quantity 20: 20 metre continuous run
Multiple metres will be supplied as one continuous cable run wherever possible rather than individual one-metre sections.
Remember to Calculate Every Speaker Run
A conventional stereo system requires separate cable runs for the left and right loudspeakers.
If each speaker requires approximately 4 metres of cable, you would normally order around 8 metres in total.
For home cinema, remember to include the complete route to every passive speaker being wired with Leyline2X.
Designed for Installation
Leyline has always been Chord Company's speaker cable for systems where practicality and long-term reliability are particularly important.
Typical applications include:
- Conventional stereo systems
- Rear surround speakers
- Side surround speakers
- Height and overhead speakers
- Multi-room audio
- Long speaker-cable runs
- Custom AV installations
- Commercial installations
- Permanent or semi-permanent cable routes
16AWG Conductors
Leyline2X uses:
16AWG conductors.
Chord Company publishes a conductor cross-sectional area of:
1.31mm².
This provides a useful balance between electrical performance, affordability and the relatively slim physical dimensions required for installation work.
Tinned Stranded Oxygen-Free Copper
The conductors are made from:
Tinned stranded oxygen-free copper.
Rather than leaving the OFC conductor surface exposed, Chord Company applies a tin coating to the copper strands.
Why Tin the Copper?
The tinned construction serves two particularly useful purposes in Leyline2X.
Firstly, it helps protect the copper conductors against oxidisation, which is especially valuable where a cable may be permanently installed and difficult to replace later.
Secondly, Chord Company developed the construction to maintain good high-frequency performance over the longer cable runs frequently encountered in multi-room and home-cinema installations.
Designed with Long-Term Installation in Mind
Many installation cables eventually disappear behind furniture, through floors or into parts of a room that are difficult to access.
The tinned conductor construction helps make Leyline2X particularly appropriate for these applications.
XLPE Insulation
The current Leyline2X uses:
XLPE conductor insulation.
XLPE stands for cross-linked polyethylene.
Chord Company introduced XLPE into Leyline as part of the wider move to X-generation insulation technology throughout its speaker-cable range.
Twisted-Pair Configuration
The positive and negative conductors use a:
Twisted-pair configuration.
This geometry has been part of the Leyline design since its development for long-run AV installations.
Low-Smoke Zero-Halogen Outer Jacket
Leyline2X uses a:
Low-smoke zero-halogen outer jacket.
This type of outer construction is particularly relevant to fixed and professional installations where fire behaviour and smoke emissions can be important considerations.
CPR Rated
Chord Company publishes Leyline2X with an:
EN50575 Dca-s2, d2, a1 CPR classification.
This classification relates to the cable's reaction-to-fire performance under the European Construction Products Regulation.
Check Installation Requirements
Building, fire and installation requirements vary depending on the type and location of an installation.
If Leyline2X is being permanently installed within a building, particularly in a commercial environment, confirm the applicable local requirements with the installer or relevant professional before installation.
6mm Overall Diameter
Leyline2X has an overall cable diameter of:
6mm.
The relatively slim construction makes the cable considerably easier to route through many domestic and custom-install environments than heavier speaker cables.
Metre-Marked Cable
Leyline2X is:
Metre marked.
The markings make it easier for installers to keep track of cable lengths during larger multi-room and home-cinema installations.
Rip-Cord for Easier Stripping
The installation cable also includes a:
Rip-cord beneath the outer jacket.
This is designed to make removal of the outer jacket easier when the cable is being prepared for connection or termination.
Designed for Long Cable Runs
Long speaker-cable routes were a fundamental part of the original Leyline design brief.
The combination of tinned OFC conductors, twisted-pair geometry and compact dimensions makes Leyline2X particularly useful where an amplifier is positioned some distance from the loudspeakers.
Ideal for Home Cinema
Home-cinema installations are a natural application for Leyline2X.
Rear, surround and height speakers can require substantially longer cable runs than the front speakers, particularly where cables are routed around the edges of a room or concealed within an installation.
Chord Company specifically recommends Leyline for rear speakers in multi-channel systems.
Mixing Leyline2X with Other Front Speaker Cable
You do not necessarily need to use the same speaker cable for every channel in a home-cinema system.
Chord Company specifically suggests Leyline as a strong option for rear speakers while allowing a different speaker cable to be used for the main front channels.
Front Speakers
- Often shorter cable runs
- May justify a higher-level speaker cable
- ClearwayX, ShawlineX or EpicX may suit more ambitious systems
Surround and Height Speakers
- Often require much longer runs
- Discreet installation can be important
- Leyline2X keeps cost manageable across multiple channels
- Slim 6mm construction simplifies routing
Suitable for Stereo Hi-Fi
Although Leyline2X is particularly installation friendly, it is not restricted to home cinema.
It can also be used as an affordable speaker cable in conventional two-channel Hi-Fi systems, especially where the layout requires long or discreet cable runs.
Suitable for Multi-Room Audio
Leyline2X is equally well suited to multi-room systems where several speaker zones may be fed from centrally positioned amplification.
Its slim construction, metre markings and installation-focused outer jacket make it particularly practical where significant quantities of cable are required.
Can Leyline2X Be Used Bare?
Yes, where the amplifier and loudspeaker terminals are designed to accept bare speaker cable.
The outer jacket and conductor insulation must be stripped carefully, and the prepared conductors should be securely clamped with no loose strands capable of shorting between positive and negative terminals.
Can Leyline2X Be Terminated?
Yes.
Suitable speaker connectors can be fitted where required, making the cable useful both for concealed installation runs and conventional equipment connections.
Contact your local Audio T store if you would like advice on suitable termination for your amplifier and loudspeakers.
Correct Speaker Polarity
Maintain the same polarity throughout every speaker connection:
- Amplifier positive to loudspeaker positive
- Amplifier negative to loudspeaker negative
This becomes particularly important in multi-channel systems where a large number of cable runs may need to be identified and connected correctly.
Label Long Cable Runs
For home-cinema or multi-room installations, label both ends of every cable before it disappears behind furniture, beneath floors or into a wall route.
Knowing which cable belongs to which loudspeaker will save a considerable amount of detective work later.
Leyline2X and Leyline4X
Chord Company also manufactures a four-core Leyline4X version for installations requiring additional conductors within one outer cable.
Leyline2X
- 2-core speaker cable
- 16AWG conductors
- 1.31mm²
- XLPE insulation
- 6mm diameter
- Ideal for conventional single speaker runs
Leyline4X
- 4-core speaker cable
- 16AWG conductors
- 1.31mm²
- XLPE insulation
- 7.3mm diameter
- Designed for specialist multi-conductor installations
Hi-Fi Choice Recommended
LeylineX was reviewed by Hi-Fi Choice in 2020, with the magazine highlighting its combination of robust construction and strong value.
The current Leyline2X continues the same installation-focused platform with Chord Company's XLPE insulation technology.
Key Features
- Chord Company Leyline2X
- 2-core speaker cable
- Unterminated
- Sold per metre
- Continuous run where possible
- Designed for Hi-Fi
- Designed for home cinema
- Designed for custom installation
- Suitable for long cable runs
- Ideal for surround speakers
- Ideal for height speakers
- Suitable for multi-room audio
- 16AWG conductors
- 1.31mm² conductor area
- Tinned stranded oxygen-free copper
- Tinned conductors resist oxidisation
- XLPE conductor insulation
- Twisted-pair configuration
- Low-smoke zero-halogen outer jacket
- 6mm overall diameter
- Metre-marked cable
- Rip-cord for easier stripping
- CPR rated
- EN50575 classification
- Compact installation-friendly design
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chord Company Leyline2X?
Leyline2X is an affordable installation-focused 2-core speaker cable using tinned stranded OFC conductors, XLPE insulation and twisted-pair geometry.
Is this product sold per metre?
Yes. This Audio T product is unterminated Leyline2X cable priced per metre.
Does it include connectors?
No. It is supplied as bare unterminated speaker cable.
If I order 10 metres, will I receive one continuous run?
Yes. Multiple metres are supplied as one continuous run wherever possible.
What conductor material does Leyline2X use?
Tinned stranded oxygen-free copper.
Why are the conductors tinned?
The tin coating helps protect the copper against oxidisation and forms part of Chord Company's design for reliable performance over longer installation runs.
What gauge is Leyline2X?
16AWG.
What is the conductor cross-sectional area?
1.31mm².
What insulation does Leyline2X use?
XLPE, or cross-linked polyethylene.
What is the cable diameter?
6mm.
Is Leyline2X shielded?
No. Chord Company specifies Leyline2X as an unshielded twisted-pair speaker cable.
What outer jacket does it use?
A low-smoke zero-halogen outer jacket.
Is the cable CPR rated?
Yes. Chord Company publishes an EN50575 Dca-s2, d2, a1 classification for Leyline2X.
Is Leyline2X suitable for home cinema?
Yes. Home cinema and custom installation are key applications for the cable.
Is it suitable for rear surround speakers?
Yes. Chord Company specifically recommends Leyline for rear speakers in multi-channel systems.
Can I use a different cable for my front speakers?
Yes. Leyline2X can be used for rear or surround channels while another suitable Chord Company speaker cable is used for the front speakers.
Can Leyline2X be used for stereo?
Yes. It is also suitable for conventional two-channel systems, particularly where long or discreet cable runs are required.
Can I terminate Leyline2X?
Yes. Suitable speaker connectors can be fitted separately. Contact Audio T if you would like advice on termination.
What is the difference between Leyline2X and Leyline4X?
Leyline2X contains two conductors and is designed for conventional speaker runs. Leyline4X contains four conductors for installations requiring multiple conductors within one outer cable.
Can Audio T help calculate how much cable I need?
Yes. Contact your local Audio T store with your room layout and speaker positions and we can help calculate the required total length.
Related Chord Company Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Leyline2X supplied per metre
- Help calculating stereo cable lengths
- Home-cinema cable planning
- Surround and height-speaker installation advice
- Multi-room system guidance
- Long-run speaker-cable advice
- Speaker-cable termination guidance
- Help matching cable to amplifier and loudspeakers
- Complete Chord Company system advice
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store if you would like help calculating how much Leyline2X you need or planning the speaker wiring for a stereo, home-cinema or multi-room installation.