Audio T Verdict
Chord Company C-ScreenX is a very sensible starting point for anyone who wants a properly engineered speaker cable without immediately disappearing down the Hi-Fi cable rabbit hole.
Despite sitting towards the affordable end of Chord Company's range, this is not basic twin-core speaker wire. C-ScreenX uses 16AWG high-purity oxygen-free copper conductors, XLPE insulation, twisted-pair geometry and high-density foil shielding, all contained within a slim and flexible white outer jacket.
This version takes the convenience a step further. Rather than buying cable from the reel and arranging termination separately, you receive a matching stereo pair already terminated with 4mm banana plugs and ready to connect between a compatible amplifier and loudspeakers.
Its relatively slim 9mm diameter and unobtrusive white finish also make C-ScreenX especially useful where cables need to be routed around a room rather than hidden completely from view.
For an affordable stereo system, a home-cinema installation or simply an upgrade from basic supplied speaker wire, C-ScreenX offers an unusually complete design at this level.
Chord Company C-ScreenX Speaker Cable - Terminated Pair
C-ScreenX is a shielded loudspeaker cable developed by Chord Company for both stereo Hi-Fi and home-cinema systems.
This Audio T product is supplied as a:
Finished, terminated stereo pair.
Two matching lengths of cable are supplied, ready for connection between compatible amplifier and loudspeaker terminals.
This Is the Terminated Pair
This product should not be confused with Audio T's separate C-ScreenX cable sold unterminated by the metre.
If you require bare cable for a custom installation, choose the separate per-metre C-ScreenX product instead.
Available Pair Lengths
Audio T currently offers the terminated C-ScreenX pair in the following lengths:
- 1.5m pair
- 2m pair
- 3m pair
- 4m pair
- 5m pair
Both left and right cables are supplied at the selected length.
What Does a 3m Pair Mean?
Selecting a 3m pair means you receive two 3m speaker cables: one for the left loudspeaker and one for the right.
It does not mean that 3m of cable is divided between the two speakers.
Factory-Style 4mm Termination
The finished C-ScreenX pair is supplied with:
4mm banana-plug terminations.
Chord Company's current speaker-cable sets use its ChordOhmic connector system, developed to provide a secure, low-resistance contact between the cable and compatible equipment terminals.
ChordOhmic Speaker Connectors
Current ChordOhmic loudspeaker connectors use:
- ChorAlloy™ plated contact surfaces
- 4mm banana-plug format
- High-pressure crimp termination
- Chord Company's Hex-gun crimping process
Chord Company states that ChordOhmic connectors are now fitted as standard to its new terminated speaker-cable sets.
Older Z-Plug Information Is Out of Date
Earlier C-ScreenX information may describe gold-plated screw-fit Z-plug connectors.
Chord Company's current terminated speaker-cable sets use its newer ChordOhmic ChorAlloy™ connector system, so older connector descriptions should not be carried across to current product information.
High-Purity Oxygen-Free Copper Conductors
At the heart of C-ScreenX are:
High-purity oxygen-free copper conductors.
Chord Company uses a multi-stranded construction rather than a single solid conductor.
16AWG Conductor Size
Chord Company specifies C-ScreenX as:
16AWG.
The published conductor cross-sectional area is:
1.31mm².
XLPE Insulation
Current C-ScreenX uses:
XLPE conductor insulation.
XLPE stands for cross-linked polyethylene and forms an important part of the updated X-generation cable construction.
Do Not Use the Original C-Screen Insulation Specification
The original C-Screen used a previous polyethylene insulation material.
Current C-ScreenX uses XLPE, so older C-Screen specifications should not be copied onto this product.
Twisted-Pair Configuration
The two signal conductors are arranged in a:
Twisted-pair configuration.
Chord Company uses this geometry as part of its approach to reducing the cable's susceptibility to electrical interference.
PVC Internal Casing
The insulated conductors are enclosed within an additional:
PVC casing.
Chord Company states that this helps reduce mechanical noise and maintains the intended spacing between the conductors and the surrounding shielding.
High-Density Foil Shielding
C-ScreenX is unusual at its price point in being a deliberately:
Shielded speaker cable.
Chord Company specifies high-density foil shielding surrounding the internal cable construction.
The aim is to reduce the influence of unwanted electrical interference that can be present around Hi-Fi and home-cinema equipment.
Why Shield a Speaker Cable?
Modern homes can contain numerous potential sources of high-frequency electrical interference, including network equipment, televisions, computers, power supplies, chargers and mains cabling.
C-ScreenX forms part of Chord Company's wider range of shielded loudspeaker cables designed to help reduce the influence of this unwanted noise around an audio system.
Flexible White Outer Jacket
C-ScreenX is finished in a:
White outer jacket.
The discreet finish makes the cable particularly useful where runs need to follow white walls or skirting boards rather than disappearing inside a wall or floor.
9mm Overall Diameter
Chord Company's current published overall diameter is:
9mm.
Despite its shielding and internal casing, C-ScreenX remains flexible enough to route around corners and through many domestic installations.
Current C-ScreenX Is 9mm, Not 8mm
The original C-Screen was published with an 8mm diameter.
Current C-ScreenX is specified by Chord Company at 9mm overall diameter.
Designed for Stereo Hi-Fi
The terminated pair is ideal for conventional two-channel systems using an amplifier and pair of passive loudspeakers with compatible 4mm terminals.
Because the cables are already prepared and terminated, installation simply involves selecting the appropriate length and connecting each channel with the correct polarity.
Suitable for Home Cinema
Chord Company also specifically recommends C-ScreenX for home-cinema applications.
Its slim construction, flexible outer jacket and shielding can be particularly useful where several speaker cables need to be routed around a room.
Suitable for Longer Cable Runs
Chord Company describes C-ScreenX as performing particularly well over longer runs.
This can make it useful for surround speakers or installations where the amplifier and loudspeakers cannot be positioned close together.
Terminated Pair or Cable Per Metre?
Terminated Pair
- Two matching speaker cables
- Ready to connect
- 4mm banana terminated
- Fixed selectable pair lengths
- Ideal for conventional stereo systems
- This Audio T product
Per Metre
- Unterminated cable
- Purchased by required length
- Supplied as a continuous run
- Ideal for custom installations
- Termination arranged separately
- Separate Audio T product
View Chord Company C-ScreenX Speaker Cable Per Metre at Audio T.
Can I Use C-ScreenX Without Banana Plugs?
Yes. The underlying C-ScreenX cable is also available separately in unterminated form.
This terminated-pair product, however, is intended for customers who want a finished cable set ready for compatible 4mm loudspeaker terminals.
Can Audio T Make a Different Length?
If the listed pair lengths do not suit your installation, contact your local Audio T store.
C-ScreenX is also available from the reel, allowing Audio T to discuss custom lengths and suitable termination options for your particular system.
C-ScreenX and Cable Routing
Where practical, speaker cables should be routed sensibly and kept away from mains cables and power supplies.
If a speaker cable has to cross a mains cable, Chord Company recommends crossing it at approximately 90 degrees rather than running the two alongside one another for an extended distance.
Hi-Fi World Award Winner
C-ScreenX was named:
Best Loudspeaker Cable in the Hi-Fi World Awards 2021.
The recognition reflects just how much engineering Chord Company has incorporated into what remains one of the more accessible cables in its speaker-cable range.
C-ScreenX at Audio T
Audio T has used and recommended C-ScreenX across a wide range of affordable and mid-priced systems, both as an easy cable upgrade and as part of complete new-system installations.
Read: Do Hi-Fi Cables Make a Difference?
Key Features
- Chord Company C-ScreenX speaker cable
- Factory-style terminated stereo pair
- Two matching cable lengths
- 1.5m pair option
- 2m pair option
- 3m pair option
- 4m pair option
- 5m pair option
- 4mm banana termination
- Current ChordOhmic connector system
- ChorAlloy™ plated contacts
- High-pressure crimp termination
- High-purity OFC conductors
- Multi-stranded conductor construction
- 16AWG conductors
- 1.31mm² conductor area
- XLPE insulation
- Twisted-pair configuration
- PVC internal casing
- High-density foil shielding
- Shielded speaker-cable construction
- White outer jacket
- 9mm overall diameter
- Flexible construction
- Suitable for stereo Hi-Fi
- Suitable for home cinema
- Suitable for longer cable runs
- Separate unterminated version available
- Hi-Fi World Award winner
- Chord Company lifetime warranty subject to terms
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 cable supplied as a pair?
Yes. This product is a finished stereo pair containing two matching speaker cables.
What does a 2m pair mean?
You receive two cables, each 2m long.
What lengths does Audio T offer?
The current terminated-pair options are 1.5m, 2m, 3m, 4m and 5m.
Is C-ScreenX already terminated?
Yes. This particular Audio T product is supplied terminated with 4mm speaker connectors.
What connectors does current Chord Company speaker cable use?
Chord Company's current speaker-cable sets use ChordOhmic ChorAlloy™ plated connectors with crimp termination.
Does C-ScreenX use oxygen-free copper?
Yes. Chord Company specifies high-purity oxygen-free copper conductors.
Are the conductors silver plated?
No. Current C-ScreenX uses high-purity OFC conductors. Silver-plated conductors are introduced on higher models within the Chord Company range.
What gauge is C-ScreenX?
16AWG.
What is the conductor area?
1.31mm².
What insulation does C-ScreenX use?
XLPE, or cross-linked polyethylene.
Is C-ScreenX shielded?
Yes. Chord Company specifies high-density foil shielding.
Why is the cable shielded?
The shielding forms part of Chord Company's approach to reducing the influence of unwanted electrical interference around an audio system.
What is the cable diameter?
Current C-ScreenX is 9mm in overall diameter.
Why do some older descriptions say 8mm?
The original C-Screen was an 8mm design. The current C-ScreenX specification is 9mm.
What colour is C-ScreenX?
It uses a discreet white outer jacket.
Can C-ScreenX be used for home cinema?
Yes. Chord Company specifically recommends it for both stereo audio and home-cinema applications.
Is C-ScreenX suitable for longer runs?
Yes. Chord Company describes it as performing well over longer cable runs.
Can I buy C-ScreenX unterminated?
Yes. Audio T has a separate C-ScreenX product sold unterminated by the metre.
Can Audio T provide a custom length?
Contact your local Audio T store to discuss custom cable lengths and termination requirements.
Does C-ScreenX have a lifetime warranty?
Chord Company currently states that its products are covered by its lifetime warranty, subject to the manufacturer's warranty terms and proof-of-purchase requirements.
Can Audio T help choose the correct cable length?
Yes. Contact your local Audio T store with details of your system and room layout and we can help determine a sensible cable length and termination.
Related Chord Company Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Advice on the correct speaker-cable length
- Terminated and unterminated C-ScreenX options
- Custom cable-length guidance
- Speaker-termination advice
- Help checking amplifier and loudspeaker connections
- Hi-Fi and home-cinema installation advice
- 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 choosing the right C-ScreenX length or comparing it with other Chord Company speaker cables.