Audio T Verdict
Chord Company C-ScreenX is proof that properly engineered speaker cable does not have to cost a fortune. It sits towards the affordable end of Chord Company's range, but still introduces several design features normally associated with considerably more ambitious cables.
Rather than being basic twin-core wire, C-ScreenX uses 16AWG high-purity oxygen-free copper conductors, XLPE insulation, twisted-pair geometry, a PVC internal casing and high-density foil shielding to help reduce the cable's susceptibility to unwanted interference.
Its 9mm diameter, flexible construction and discreet white outer jacket also make it particularly easy to work with around the home. That makes C-ScreenX just as useful for long home-cinema cable runs as it is for a straightforward two-channel Hi-Fi system.
This particular Audio T product is the unterminated version sold by the metre. That makes it ideal where you need a specific cable length, are running cable through a room or installation, or want to arrange your own termination separately.
For a first worthwhile speaker-cable upgrade, a custom installation or simply something significantly better engineered than generic speaker wire, C-ScreenX makes a lot of sense.
Chord Company C-ScreenX Speaker Cable - Per Metre
C-ScreenX is Chord Company's affordable shielded loudspeaker cable for stereo Hi-Fi and home-cinema systems.
This Audio T product is supplied:
Unterminated and priced per metre.
Sold Per Metre - No Connectors Included
This product is bare C-ScreenX cable supplied from the reel.
It does not include banana plugs, spade connectors or any other loudspeaker termination.
If you require a finished pair ready to connect to your system, Audio T also offers a separately terminated C-ScreenX cable set.
How Ordering Per Metre Works
The quantity selected represents the length of cable required.
For example:
- Quantity 1: 1 metre of cable
- Quantity 2: 2 metres of cable
- Quantity 5: 5 metres of cable
- Quantity 10: 10 metres of cable
The cable is supplied as a continuous unterminated run rather than individual one-metre pieces.
Remember You Usually Need Two Speaker Runs
A conventional stereo system requires cable for both the left and right loudspeaker.
For example, if each speaker requires approximately 3 metres of cable, you would normally need around 6 metres in total.
Allow a little extra length where necessary for routing, furniture and equipment placement rather than measuring the absolute shortest distance between amplifier and speaker.
High-Purity Oxygen-Free Copper
C-ScreenX uses:
High-purity oxygen-free copper conductors.
The conductors use a multi-stranded construction, providing the electrical connection while retaining sufficient flexibility for domestic installations.
16AWG Conductors
Chord Company specifies C-ScreenX as:
16AWG.
The corresponding published conductor cross-sectional area is:
1.31mm².
XLPE Insulation
The current C-ScreenX design uses:
XLPE conductor insulation.
XLPE stands for cross-linked polyethylene and is one of the significant changes introduced with the X-generation version of C-Screen.
Current C-ScreenX Uses XLPE
Older information for the original C-Screen may refer to low-density polyethylene insulation.
That specification should not be carried across to the current C-ScreenX. The current cable uses XLPE.
Twisted-Pair Configuration
The positive and negative conductors are arranged in a:
Twisted-pair configuration.
This geometry forms part of Chord Company's approach to reducing susceptibility to electrical interference.
PVC Internal Casing
The insulated conductor pair is enclosed within a:
PVC internal casing.
Chord Company states that this construction helps reduce mechanical noise while maintaining the required spacing between the conductors and surrounding shielding.
High-Density Foil Shielding
One of the defining characteristics of C-ScreenX is that it is a:
Shielded loudspeaker cable.
Chord Company surrounds the internal cable construction with high-density foil shielding.
This differentiates C-ScreenX from many conventional budget speaker cables where the signal conductors sit inside an outer jacket without a dedicated shielding system.
Why Shield a Speaker Cable?
A modern home can contain numerous potential sources of electrical interference, including televisions, computers, network equipment, wireless products, chargers and switch-mode power supplies.
Chord Company has developed a range of shielded speaker cables as part of its approach to reducing the influence of this unwanted high-frequency interference within an audio system.
C-ScreenX brings that design philosophy into the company's more affordable speaker-cable range.
White Outer Jacket
C-ScreenX uses a:
Discreet white outer jacket.
This makes the cable particularly easy to hide against white walls and skirting boards where permanent or semi-permanent cable runs are required.
9mm Overall Diameter
Chord Company's current published overall diameter for C-ScreenX is:
9mm.
Despite its internal casing and shielding, the cable remains flexible enough to route around corners and through many domestic installations.
C-ScreenX Is 9mm, Not 8mm
The original C-Screen was published as an 8mm cable.
Current C-ScreenX is specified at 9mm overall diameter, so older 8mm specifications should not be used for the current product.
Designed for Stereo Hi-Fi
C-ScreenX can be used between a compatible stereo amplifier and passive loudspeakers as an affordable upgrade from basic speaker wire.
Because this version is sold from the reel, the cable can be cut to suit the layout of the room rather than being restricted to predetermined finished lengths.
Ideal for Home Cinema
Chord Company specifically identifies home cinema as one of C-ScreenX's key applications.
Surround installations often require considerably longer or more complicated cable runs than a conventional stereo system, making the relatively slim and flexible construction particularly useful.
Suitable for Longer Runs
Chord Company describes C-ScreenX as performing particularly well over longer cable runs.
This can make it useful for:
- Rear surround loudspeakers
- Side surround loudspeakers
- Height-channel speakers
- Speakers positioned away from the equipment rack
- Custom room installations
- Concealed cable routes
Per Metre or Terminated Pair?
C-ScreenX Per Metre
- Bare unterminated cable
- Purchased by required length
- Supplied as a continuous run
- Ideal for custom installations
- Termination arranged separately
- This Audio T product
C-ScreenX Terminated Pair
- Two finished speaker cables
- Pre-terminated
- Ready to connect
- Selectable finished pair lengths
- Ideal for conventional stereo systems
- Available separately from Audio T
View Chord Company C-ScreenX Terminated Speaker Cable Pair at Audio T.
Can C-ScreenX Be Used Bare?
Where the amplifier and loudspeakers provide suitable binding posts, bare speaker cable can sometimes be connected directly.
However, exposed copper can oxidise over time and bare-wire connections may need periodic inspection and re-preparation.
For a more permanent installation, suitable banana or spade termination is often preferable.
Can C-ScreenX Be Terminated?
Yes. C-ScreenX can be prepared and terminated with suitable loudspeaker connectors.
Chord Company recommends crimp termination wherever practical for its speaker cables.
Need the Cable Terminated?
If you would like C-ScreenX cut and terminated for your system, contact your local Audio T store before ordering.
We can advise on suitable cable length, connector options and whether the ready-made terminated C-ScreenX pair would be the simpler choice.
Speaker Cable Direction
Chord Company treats its speaker cables as directional.
The manufacturer's guidance is to install the cable so the printed writing reads in the direction of signal travel:
From amplifier to loudspeaker.
In practical terms, the beginning of the Chord Company printing should be nearest the amplifier.
Keep Speaker Cable in Phase
Correct polarity is important when installing any loudspeaker cable.
The positive amplifier terminal should connect to the positive loudspeaker terminal, with negative connected to negative.
If one speaker is connected with reversed polarity, bass performance and stereo imaging can be significantly affected.
Check Both Ends Before Powering the System
When preparing unterminated cable yourself, clearly identify the same conductor at both ends before making the connections.
Also make sure that no loose copper strands can short between positive and negative terminals.
Single Wire and Bi-Wire Speakers
C-ScreenX itself is a conventional two-conductor single-wire speaker cable.
If your loudspeakers have separate bass and treble terminals, they can still be used with a single run of C-ScreenX provided the speaker's terminal links remain fitted correctly.
Chord Company generally favours high-quality single wiring over using a lower-quality dedicated bi-wire cable for the same overall budget.
Hi-Fi World Award Winner
C-ScreenX was awarded:
Best Loudspeaker Cable in the Hi-Fi World Awards 2021.
The recognition is particularly notable given C-ScreenX's position as one of the more affordable speaker cables in Chord Company's range.
C-ScreenX at Audio T
C-ScreenX provides an accessible way to introduce a purpose-designed shielded loudspeaker cable into a Hi-Fi or home-cinema system without moving immediately into the more expensive Chord Company ranges.
Read: Do Hi-Fi Cables Make a Difference?
Key Features
- Chord Company C-ScreenX
- Unterminated speaker cable
- Sold per metre
- Supplied as a continuous run
- High-purity oxygen-free copper conductors
- Multi-stranded conductor construction
- 16AWG conductor size
- 1.31mm² conductor area
- XLPE conductor insulation
- Twisted-pair configuration
- PVC internal casing
- High-density foil shielding
- Shielded loudspeaker-cable design
- White outer jacket
- 9mm overall diameter
- Flexible construction
- Easy to route around corners
- Suitable for stereo Hi-Fi
- Suitable for home cinema
- Suitable for longer cable runs
- Suitable for custom installations
- Can be terminated separately
- Separate terminated pair available
- Directional installation guidance
- Hi-Fi World Award winner
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chord Company C-ScreenX?
C-ScreenX is a shielded 16AWG loudspeaker cable using high-purity OFC conductors, XLPE insulation, twisted-pair geometry and high-density foil shielding.
Is this product sold per metre?
Yes. The listed price is for one metre of unterminated C-ScreenX cable.
If I order five, what do I receive?
You receive a continuous 5m length of C-ScreenX rather than five individual 1m pieces.
Does this product include connectors?
No. This version is supplied unterminated.
Can I buy C-ScreenX already terminated?
Yes. Audio T has a separate C-ScreenX terminated-pair product.
What conductors does C-ScreenX use?
High-purity multi-stranded oxygen-free copper.
Are the C-ScreenX conductors silver plated?
No. C-ScreenX uses high-purity oxygen-free copper rather than silver-plated conductors.
What gauge is C-ScreenX?
16AWG.
What is the conductor cross-sectional area?
1.31mm².
What insulation does C-ScreenX use?
Current C-ScreenX uses XLPE insulation.
Is C-ScreenX shielded?
Yes. Chord Company specifies high-density foil shielding.
What is C-ScreenX's overall diameter?
9mm.
Why do some older specifications say 8mm?
The original C-Screen was an 8mm cable. Current C-ScreenX is specified at 9mm.
What colour is the cable?
C-ScreenX has a discreet white outer jacket.
Can I use C-ScreenX for stereo Hi-Fi?
Yes. It is designed for conventional stereo loudspeaker connections as well as home-cinema applications.
Can I use C-ScreenX for home cinema?
Yes. Chord Company specifically highlights home cinema as an important application for C-ScreenX.
Is C-ScreenX suitable for long runs?
Yes. Chord Company describes it as performing particularly well over longer cable runs.
Can I terminate C-ScreenX myself?
Yes, provided you are confident preparing and terminating loudspeaker cable correctly. Audio T can also advise on professional termination options.
Which direction should C-ScreenX run?
Chord Company recommends installing its speaker cable so the printed writing reads in the direction of signal travel from amplifier to loudspeaker.
Can C-ScreenX be used with bi-wire speakers?
Yes. C-ScreenX is a two-conductor single-wire cable and can be used with compatible bi-wireable speakers when the appropriate terminal links remain fitted.
Can Audio T help calculate how much cable I need?
Yes. Contact your local Audio T store with your room layout and equipment positions and we can help calculate a sensible cable length.
Related Chord Company Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Advice on calculating the correct cable length
- Terminated and unterminated C-ScreenX options
- Speaker-cable termination advice
- Help selecting suitable banana or spade connectors
- Stereo and home-cinema cable planning
- Long-run installation advice
- Help checking amplifier and loudspeaker connections
- System-specific cable recommendations
- 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 C-ScreenX you need or discussing the best way to terminate it for your system.