Audio T Verdict
Chord Company ClearwayX is one of those speaker cables that hits a particularly useful point in the range: substantial enough for serious bookshelf and floor-standing loudspeakers, comprehensively shielded, but still sensible enough to use throughout a complete stereo system.
This version takes the same 14 AWG ClearwayX cable sold by Audio T per metre and supplies it as a finished stereo pair fitted with Chord Company's ChordOhmic speaker connectors.
Internally, ClearwayX uses high-purity multi-strand oxygen-free copper conductors with XLPE insulation. The conductors are arranged as a twisted pair, surrounded by a soft PVC internal jacket and then protected by twin contra-wound high-density foil shields.
With each channel supplied at the selected length, the terminated-pair version removes the need to cut and terminate the cable yourself and gives you a properly finished speaker-cable set ready to connect to compatible amplifier and loudspeaker terminals.
The one thing to check carefully is the connector format. Chord Company's current ChordOhmic range includes both 4mm banana and spade connectors, so if the exact termination is not stated in the Audio T option, please confirm it before ordering.
Chord Company ClearwayX Terminated Speaker Cable Pair
ClearwayX is a shielded speaker cable using 14 AWG multi-strand oxygen-free copper conductors, XLPE insulation and a twisted-pair construction.
This product is supplied as a:
Terminated stereo pair fitted with ChordOhmic speaker connectors.
For unterminated cable sold by the metre, Audio T lists ClearwayX separately.
What Does "Terminated Pair" Mean?
A conventional stereo system requires two speaker-cable runs:
- One cable for the left loudspeaker
- One cable for the right loudspeaker
When you select a 2m pair, for example, you are selecting a finished stereo set consisting of:
2 x 2m ClearwayX speaker cables.
Pair Length Is Per Channel
A 2m pair does not mean 2m of cable divided between the two loudspeakers.
It means two speaker cables, each 2m long.
Chord Company Standard Terminated Pair Lengths
Chord Company currently publishes four standard ClearwayX terminated-pair lengths:
| Length |
Pair Configuration |
Manufacturer Status |
| 1.5m |
2 x 1.5m cables |
Standard Chord Company terminated pair |
| 2m |
2 x 2m cables |
Standard Chord Company terminated pair |
| 3m |
2 x 3m cables |
Standard Chord Company terminated pair |
| 5m |
2 x 5m cables |
Standard Chord Company terminated pair |
Current Audio T Length Options
The current Audio T product record includes:
- 1.5m pair
- 2m pair
- 2.5m pair
- 4m pair
- 5m pair
- 6m pair
- 7m pair
Audio T Is Currently Missing the Standard 3m Pair
Chord Company specifically publishes a 3m terminated ClearwayX pair as one of its standard products.
It would therefore be worth adding the 3m pair to the Audio T selector.
Additional Audio T Lengths
The 2.5m, 4m, 6m and 7m lengths extend beyond Chord Company's four published standard terminated-pair lengths.
They are useful additional configurations, but should not be described as part of the manufacturer's standard four-length set.
14 AWG Multi-Strand OFC Conductors
Chord Company specifies ClearwayX with:
14 AWG multi-strand oxygen-free copper conductors.
The published conductor cross-sectional area is:
2.08mm².
High-Purity Oxygen-Free Copper
The conductor material is:
High-purity oxygen-free copper.
Oxygen-free copper is commonly abbreviated to OFC.
No Silver-Plated Conductor Claim
Chord Company specifies high-purity OFC for ClearwayX.
The conductors should not be described as silver plated. Silver-plated OFC is used by other speaker cables further up the Chord Company range.
XLPE Insulation
ClearwayX uses:
XLPE insulation.
XLPE stands for cross-linked polyethylene.
The move to XLPE was the defining update from the earlier Clearway speaker cable to the current ClearwayX.
Twisted-Pair Configuration
The two conductors are arranged in a:
Twisted-pair configuration.
This forms the core internal geometry of ClearwayX.
Soft PVC Internal Jacket
Chord Company applies a:
Soft PVC internal jacket
around the twisted conductor pair.
The manufacturer states that this helps minimise mechanical noise and correctly spaces the foil shielding in relation to the conductors.
Dual High-Density Foil Shielding
ClearwayX uses:
Dual high-density foil shielding.
Chord Company describes the screen arrangement as twin contra-wound foil shields surrounding the internal cable assembly.
Why Shield a Speaker Cable?
Chord Company's design philosophy places considerable importance on reducing the influence of high-frequency electrical interference within a Hi-Fi system.
ClearwayX applies this approach to the amplifier-to-loudspeaker connection through its dual-foil screening system.
Translucent PVC Outer Jacket
The complete cable is protected by a:
Translucent PVC outer jacket.
This forms the external mechanical protection around the conductor, insulation, internal jacket and shielding assembly.
10.5mm Overall Diameter
Chord Company specifies an overall cable diameter of:
10.5mm.
It is therefore worth allowing adequate space behind equipment and around furniture when planning the cable route.
ChordOhmic Speaker Connectors
Chord Company supplies terminated ClearwayX pairs fitted with its:
ChordOhmic speaker connectors.
The current ChordOhmic connector range uses Chord Company's ChorAlloy™ plating.
Current ChordOhmic Connector Types
Chord Company currently offers:
- ChordOhmic 4mm banana connectors
- ChordOhmic spade connectors
Check the Exact Termination
The current Audio T online selector identifies the cable length but does not clearly identify the connector combination.
Before ordering, confirm whether the selected pair is fitted with 4mm banana connectors, spades or another approved ChordOhmic arrangement suitable for your amplifier and loudspeakers.
What Is ChorAlloy?
ChorAlloy™ is Chord Company's current multi-metal connector-plating system.
The plating is used on the current ChordOhmic:
- 4mm banana plugs
- Spade connectors
Current Connectors, Not the Older Silver-Plated Version
Earlier ChordOhmic connectors were described as silver plated.
The current Chord Company specification uses:
ChorAlloy™ plated ChordOhmic connectors.
Do Not Use the Old Silver-Plated Connector Specification
Older Chord Company literature may refer to silver-plated ChordOhmic plugs.
The current manufacturer specification is ChorAlloy™ plating.
Banana or Spade?
4mm Banana
Suitable for compatible amplifier and loudspeaker binding posts designed to accept 4mm banana connectors.
They provide a convenient push-fit connection where the equipment supports them.
Spade
Designed for compatible binding posts that allow a spade connector to be secured beneath the terminal.
Always check the terminal dimensions and compatibility before ordering.
Can I Have Banana at One End and Spade at the Other?
Chord Company's ChordOhmic family provides both 4mm and spade connector formats.
If your amplifier and loudspeakers require different terminations, speak to Audio T so the appropriate configuration can be confirmed rather than assuming the online pair uses mixed connections.
Suitable for Bookshelf Loudspeakers
Chord Company specifically identifies the 14 AWG ClearwayX conductor as suitable for:
Bookshelf loudspeakers.
Suitable for Floor-Standing Loudspeakers
Chord Company also specifically identifies ClearwayX as suitable for:
Floor-standing loudspeakers.
The final suitability of any cable still depends on the complete amplifier, loudspeaker and cable-length combination.
Terminated Pair or Cable Per Metre?
Terminated Pair
- Two finished speaker cables
- Equal lengths
- ChordOhmic terminations
- No home termination required
- Ready for compatible amplifier and speaker terminals
Per Metre
- Unterminated ClearwayX cable
- Sold by required cable length
- Useful for custom installation
- Termination arranged separately
- Separate Audio T product page
Compare Chord Company ClearwayX Speaker Cable Per Metre at Audio T.
Why Choose a Finished Pair?
A properly terminated pair removes the need to strip and prepare the cable yourself and provides dedicated connector hardware at each end.
It also avoids loose bare strands around amplifier or loudspeaker terminals.
Avoid Stray Bare Conductors
If speaker cable is incorrectly stripped or terminated, stray copper strands can potentially contact adjacent terminals.
Always switch equipment off before changing speaker connections and make sure each connection is secure before powering the system again.
Choosing the Correct Length
Measure the route from amplifier to each loudspeaker rather than simply measuring the straight-line distance across the room.
Allow enough length for:
- Equipment-rack routing
- Furniture
- Speaker positioning
- A relaxed bend behind the amplifier
- A relaxed bend behind each loudspeaker
Avoid pulling the cable tight between the components.
Should Both Speaker Cables Be the Same Length?
Chord Company's terminated products are supplied as pairs, with each cable in the pair at the selected length.
This also makes installation straightforward because both channels are supplied as a matching set.
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
- Slimmer overall construction
ClearwayX uses the larger conductor area and adds its dual-foil screen, while RumourX uses a slimmer silver-plated OFC conductor.
ClearwayX or ShawlineX?
ShawlineX moves further up the Chord Company speaker-cable range with silver-plated OFC conductors and a combined high-density foil and metal-braid shield.
ClearwayX retains high-purity unsilvered OFC and its dual high-density foil shielding.
ClearwayX or EpicX?
EpicX uses larger 12 AWG silver-plated OFC conductors together with a high-density foil and metal-braid shielding system.
ClearwayX therefore sits below EpicX in Chord Company's speaker-cable range while retaining a substantial 14 AWG conductor and screened construction.
Key Features
- Chord Company ClearwayX
- Terminated stereo speaker cable pair
- Two equal-length cables per pair
- ChordOhmic speaker connectors
- Current ChorAlloy™ connector plating
- 4mm banana connector option available from Chord Company
- Spade connector option available from Chord Company
- 14 AWG conductors
- 2.08mm² conductor area
- High-purity oxygen-free copper
- Multi-strand conductor construction
- XLPE insulation
- Twisted-pair configuration
- Soft PVC internal jacket
- Dual high-density foil shielding
- Twin contra-wound foil shields
- Translucent PVC outer jacket
- 10.5mm overall cable diameter
- Suitable for bookshelf loudspeakers
- Suitable for floor-standing loudspeakers
- 1.5m standard terminated pair
- 2m standard terminated pair
- 3m standard terminated pair
- 5m standard terminated pair
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a ClearwayX terminated pair?
It is a finished stereo pair of Chord Company ClearwayX speaker cables fitted with ChordOhmic speaker connectors.
How many cables do I receive?
Two: one for the left loudspeaker and one for the right loudspeaker.
If I order a 3m pair, are both cables 3m?
Yes. A 3m pair consists of two 3m speaker cables.
What standard terminated-pair lengths does Chord Company publish?
1.5m, 2m, 3m and 5m.
Does Audio T currently list the 3m pair?
The current online selector does not include the manufacturer-standard 3m pair, so please contact Audio T if you require this length.
What other lengths does Audio T currently list?
The current selector also includes 2.5m, 4m, 6m and 7m pairs in addition to standard 1.5m, 2m and 5m options.
What conductor material does ClearwayX use?
Chord Company specifies high-purity oxygen-free copper.
Are the conductors silver plated?
No silver plating is specified by Chord Company for ClearwayX. The conductors are high-purity OFC.
What conductor size is ClearwayX?
14 AWG.
What is the conductor cross-sectional area?
2.08mm².
What insulation does ClearwayX use?
XLPE, or cross-linked polyethylene.
How are the conductors arranged?
In a twisted-pair configuration.
What is the internal jacket?
Chord Company specifies a soft PVC internal jacket.
How is ClearwayX shielded?
With dual high-density foil shielding using twin contra-wound foil screens.
What is the outer jacket?
Translucent PVC.
What is the cable diameter?
10.5mm.
What connectors are fitted?
Chord Company specifies ChordOhmic speaker connectors for terminated ClearwayX pairs.
What plating do current ChordOhmic connectors use?
Chord Company's current ChordOhmic connectors use ChorAlloy™ plating.
Are ChordOhmic connectors banana plugs?
Chord Company offers ChordOhmic in both 4mm banana and spade formats.
Does the Audio T selector tell me whether I am buying banana or spade?
The current public selector primarily identifies the cable length. If termination type is important for your equipment, please confirm it with Audio T before ordering.
Can I have banana plugs at one end and spades at the other?
Chord Company offers both connector formats. Contact Audio T to discuss the precise termination arrangement required by your amplifier and loudspeakers.
Can I use ClearwayX with bookshelf speakers?
Yes. Chord Company specifically describes ClearwayX as suitable for bookshelf loudspeakers.
Can I use it with floor-standing speakers?
Yes. Chord Company also identifies floor-standing loudspeakers as an intended application.
Can I buy ClearwayX without plugs?
Yes. Audio T also sells ClearwayX as unterminated cable per metre on a separate product page.
What is the main difference between this page and the per-metre ClearwayX page?
This product is a finished stereo pair with ChordOhmic connectors. The per-metre product is unterminated cable intended for custom installation or separate termination.
Can Audio T help me choose the correct length?
Yes. Measure the amplifier-to-speaker route for both channels and contact your local Audio T store if you would like help deciding on the most appropriate pair length.
Can Audio T check which connectors fit my equipment?
Yes. Give us the make and model of the amplifier and loudspeakers and we can help identify whether 4mm banana, spade or another suitable arrangement is required.
Related Chord Company Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Help choosing the correct terminated-pair length
- Banana and spade compatibility advice
- Amplifier and loudspeaker terminal checking
- Help sourcing the manufacturer-standard 3m pair
- Advice on additional custom lengths
- 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 choosing the correct ClearwayX pair length or ChordOhmic connector arrangement for your amplifier and loudspeakers.