Audio T Verdict
Chord Company ClearwayX is a substantial shielded speaker cable designed for use with both bookshelf and floor-standing loudspeakers. Its relatively large 14 AWG conductors provide considerably more copper than the slimmer cables further down the Chord Company range, while the dual-foil screening is designed to reduce the influence of high-frequency interference.
The construction is refreshingly straightforward. ClearwayX uses multi-strand oxygen-free copper conductors with XLPE insulation, arranged as a twisted pair. A soft PVC internal jacket is then applied before the dual high-density foil screen and translucent PVC outer jacket.
One detail worth being absolutely clear about is that ClearwayX uses copper conductors, not silver-plated copper. Silver-plated conductors appear elsewhere in Chord Company's speaker-cable range, but they are not part of the published ClearwayX specification.
This Audio T product is sold as unterminated cable per metre. Chord Company also offers ClearwayX in terminated pairs using ChordOhmic speaker connectors, so if you would prefer a professionally finished pair rather than bare cable, contact your local Audio T store to discuss the required length and termination.
Chord Company ClearwayX Speaker Cable
ClearwayX is a shielded loudspeaker cable using 14 AWG multi-strand oxygen-free copper conductors, XLPE insulation and a twisted-pair configuration.
Chord Company designed it for use with both bookshelf and floor-standing loudspeakers.
Sold Per Metre
This Audio T product is for unterminated ClearwayX speaker cable sold per metre.
If you require a factory or professionally terminated pair, please contact Audio T to specify the cable length and speaker connectors required.
14 AWG Multi-Strand OFC Conductors
Chord Company specifies ClearwayX with:
14 AWG multi-strand oxygen-free copper conductors.
The corresponding conductor cross-sectional area published by Chord Company is:
2.08mm².
Oxygen-Free Copper
The conductor material is:
Oxygen-free copper, or OFC.
ClearwayX Is Not Silver Plated
Chord Company's current specification states oxygen-free copper conductors.
Do not substitute the silver-plated OFC specification used by products such as RumourX, ShawlineX or EpicX.
XLPE Insulation
The conductors are insulated with:
XLPE.
XLPE stands for cross-linked polyethylene.
Chord Company moved ClearwayX from the FEP insulation used in the earlier Clearway speaker cable to XLPE.
Why the X in ClearwayX?
The X-generation Clearway introduced Chord Company's newer XLPE insulation in place of the FEP insulation used by the earlier Clearway design.
This page therefore refers specifically to the current:
ClearwayX.
Twisted-Pair Configuration
The positive and negative conductors are arranged in a:
Twisted-pair configuration.
This is the manufacturer-specified internal geometry for ClearwayX.
Soft PVC Internal Jacket
After the conductors are twisted together, Chord Company applies a:
Soft PVC internal jacket.
The manufacturer states that this helps minimise mechanical noise while correctly spacing the shielding in relation to the conductors.
Dual High-Density Foil Shielding
ClearwayX uses:
Dual high-density foil shielding.
The two shields form an important part of the ClearwayX construction and distinguish it from simpler unshielded speaker cables.
Contra-Wound Foil Screens
Chord Company describes the shielding arrangement as twin contra-wound foil shields surrounding the twisted conductors and internal jacket.
The shielding is designed to provide protection against high-frequency interference.
Why Shield a Speaker Cable?
Chord Company's cable design philosophy places considerable importance on reducing the influence of high-frequency electrical noise within an audio system.
ClearwayX applies that approach to the connection between amplifier and loudspeakers through its dual-foil shielding system.
Translucent PVC Outer Jacket
The completed cable is protected by a:
Translucent PVC outer jacket.
The outer jacket provides mechanical protection around the conductors, internal jacket and shielding assembly.
10.5mm Overall Diameter
Chord Company specifies an overall cable diameter of:
10.5mm.
ClearwayX is therefore a relatively substantial speaker cable and its diameter should be considered when planning routing through furniture, conduit or cable-management systems.
Suitable for Bookshelf and Floor-Standing Speakers
Chord Company specifically describes the 14 AWG conductors as suitable for:
- Bookshelf loudspeakers
- Floor-standing loudspeakers
As with any speaker cable, the final system match will also depend on the amplifier, speaker design, cable length and installation.
Available Off the Reel
Chord Company sells ClearwayX:
Per metre off the reel.
This is the format represented by this Audio T product page.
How to Order Bare ClearwayX From Audio T
Select the required quantity according to the number of metres needed.
For example, if your installation requires two equal speaker-cable runs, remember to calculate the total length required for both channels.
Remember You Need Two Speaker Runs
A conventional stereo system requires one cable run from the amplifier to the left loudspeaker and another to the right loudspeaker.
Measure both routes before ordering and allow enough length for comfortable connection without pulling on the amplifier or speaker terminals.
Terminated ClearwayX Pairs
Chord Company also offers ClearwayX as:
Terminated speaker-cable pairs fitted with ChordOhmic connectors.
These are separate from the bare per-metre cable sold through this Audio T SKU.
ChordOhmic Speaker Connectors
Chord Company's current ChordOhmic speaker-connector family includes:
- 4mm banana connectors
- Spade connectors
The current connectors use Chord Company's ChorAlloy™ plating.
If you require a terminated ClearwayX pair, contact Audio T to discuss the connectors required at the amplifier and loudspeaker ends.
Bare Cable or Terminated Pair?
Bare Cable Per Metre
- Current Audio T online SKU
- Sold by cable length
- No connectors fitted
- Useful for custom installation
- Can be cut to the required length
Terminated Pair
- Available from Chord Company
- Supplied as a finished stereo pair
- ChordOhmic connectors
- Connector type specified when ordering
- Contact Audio T for pricing and configuration
ClearwayX or RumourX?
ClearwayX
- 14 AWG
- 2.08mm²
- Multi-strand OFC
- XLPE insulation
- Twisted pair
- Dual high-density foil shielding
- 10.5mm diameter
RumourX
- 16 AWG
- 1.31mm²
- Silver-plated OFC
- XLPE insulation
- Twisted pair
- Much slimmer 6mm diameter
The choice is not simply about conductor size. RumourX uses a smaller but silver-plated conductor architecture, while ClearwayX uses larger unsilvered OFC conductors together with dual-foil shielding.
Compare Chord Company RumourX Speaker Cable at Audio T.
ClearwayX or ShawlineX?
ShawlineX moves to silver-plated OFC conductors and a different shielded construction while retaining XLPE insulation.
Compare Chord Company ShawlineX Speaker Cable at Audio T.
ClearwayX or EpicX?
EpicX moves further up the range with larger 12 AWG silver-plated OFC conductors and a combination foil-and-braid high-frequency shield.
Compare Chord Company EpicX Speaker Cable at Audio T.
Key Features
- Chord Company ClearwayX
- Speaker cable
- Sold per metre by Audio T
- 14 AWG conductors
- 2.08mm² conductor area
- Multi-strand construction
- Oxygen-free copper conductors
- XLPE insulation
- Twisted-pair configuration
- Soft PVC internal jacket
- Dual high-density foil shielding
- Contra-wound foil screens
- Translucent PVC outer jacket
- 10.5mm overall diameter
- Suitable for bookshelf speakers
- Suitable for floor-standing speakers
- Available off the reel
- Terminated pairs also available from Chord Company
- ChordOhmic termination available
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chord Company ClearwayX?
ClearwayX is a shielded speaker cable using 14 AWG multi-strand oxygen-free copper conductors, XLPE insulation and dual high-density foil shielding.
Is this product sold per metre?
Yes. This Audio T product is the unterminated per-metre version.
Does the price include a stereo pair?
No. The online product represents bare cable sold by length rather than a complete terminated stereo pair.
Does the cable come with banana plugs?
Not when purchased through this bare per-metre Audio T SKU.
Can ClearwayX be bought terminated?
Yes. Chord Company states that ClearwayX is available in terminated pairs fitted with ChordOhmic connectors. Contact Audio T to discuss a finished pair.
What speaker connectors does Chord Company offer?
The current ChordOhmic range includes ChorAlloy™ plated 4mm banana and spade connectors.
What conductor material does ClearwayX use?
Multi-strand oxygen-free copper.
Are ClearwayX conductors silver plated?
No silver plating is specified by Chord Company for ClearwayX. The manufacturer specification is oxygen-free copper.
What conductor size is ClearwayX?
14 AWG.
What is the conductor area?
Chord Company specifies 2.08mm².
What insulation does ClearwayX use?
XLPE, or cross-linked polyethylene.
Did the older Clearway use FEP?
Yes. Chord Company replaced the earlier FEP insulation with XLPE when the cable became ClearwayX.
What configuration does the cable use?
Twisted pair.
Is there an internal jacket?
Yes. Chord Company applies a soft PVC internal jacket around the twisted conductors.
How is ClearwayX shielded?
With dual high-density foil shielding.
Does it use a metal braid?
Chord Company's current ClearwayX specification states dual high-density foil shielding. It does not specify the metal-braid screen used by some models higher in the range.
What is the outer jacket made from?
Translucent PVC.
How thick is ClearwayX?
Chord Company specifies a 10.5mm overall diameter.
Can ClearwayX be used with bookshelf speakers?
Yes. Chord Company specifically describes it as suitable for bookshelf loudspeakers.
Can it be used with floor-standing speakers?
Yes. Chord Company also specifically identifies floor-standing loudspeakers as an intended application.
How much cable do I need?
Measure the route from the amplifier to each speaker separately and add the two lengths together when ordering bare cable.
Should the left and right speaker cables be the same length?
If you are unsure how best to specify the cable lengths for your system, speak to Audio T before ordering or arranging termination.
Can Audio T terminate ClearwayX?
Contact your local Audio T store to discuss professionally terminated ClearwayX pairs and the connector configuration required by your amplifier and loudspeakers.
Related Chord Company Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Advice on calculating the correct speaker-cable length
- Bare cable and terminated-pair guidance
- ChordOhmic banana and spade termination advice
- Amplifier and speaker terminal compatibility checks
- ClearwayX versus RumourX comparisons
- ClearwayX versus ShawlineX comparisons
- ClearwayX versus EpicX comparisons
- Speaker-cable demonstrations where available
- Home demonstrations where appropriate
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store if you need help calculating the correct length or specifying a professionally terminated ClearwayX speaker-cable pair.