The 6 best speaker cables for budget to high-end setups

Whether you’re upgrading your sound system or setting up new speakers, choosing the right cables is a small but important step. While wires won’t enhance sound beyond what your system can deliver, high-quality speaker cables can minimize signal loss, helping you get the best performance from your gear with minimal investment of time and money.

If you’re on a budget, the AudioQuest Rocket 11 is the best speaker cable to buy. It’s durable, flexible, and a solid upgrade over basic cables without costing a fortune.

For a mid-range option, the QED Reference XT40i stands out. It delivers a noticeable boost in clarity while remaining budget-friendly, making it an excellent choice for hi-fi enthusiasts looking to refine their system.

If you’re after a high-end upgrade, the Chord EpicX is hard to beat. With its expansive soundstage and incredible detail, it’s designed for audiophiles who want to push their system to its full potential.

Why you should trust me

I’m an audiophile and audio engineer with over 15 years of experience in sound reproduction. Over the years, I’ve tested and compared countless speaker cables in different setups, analyzing their impact on signal transmission, clarity, and overall system performance.

While cables won’t magically transform your audio system, the right ones can minimize loss and ensure you’re getting the best possible sound from your gear.

Here are my top picks for the best speaker cables:

• Best budget: AudioQuest Rocket 11
• Best value bare wire: KabelDirekt Pure Copper
• Best mid-range: QED Reference XT40i
• Best upgrade: AudioQuest Rocket 33
• Best high-end: Chord EpicX
• Best for powered speakers: KabelDirekt RCA

If you have any questions about choosing speaker cables, check out the FAQ section below for clear answers on materials, gauge, shielding, and more.

Best budget: AudioQuest Rocket 11

• Gauge: 14 AWG
• Material: Long-grain copper (LGC)
• Tested price: $20/ft ($67/m)

The Rocket 11 is a flexible and durable cable that costs little but can give your sound system quite a boost, especially if you’re replacing your hi-fi’s original cables. It comes with special conductors made from high-quality copper that can mitigate interference, which means it’ll deliver a clear and noise-free sound.

The Rocket 11 is designed to work with both single and bi-wired setups, and it’s as versatile and lasting as an entry-level speaker cable can be. If your budget is low, look no further than the Rocket 11.

Best value bare wire: KabelDirekt Pure Copper

• Gauge: 14 AWG
• Material: Pure copper
• Tested price: $0.60/ft ($2/m)

If bare wire is your thing, I can’t recommend this KabelDirekt speaker wire enough. This is a top-notch cable, made from pure copper strands and wrapped in a flexible PVC sheath. Tough and easy to install, this pure copper wire features polarity markings that make installation a breeze even for first-timers.

That said, the process of separating cables and the chance of strands fraying out can be a dealbreaker for some (and understandably so).

Best mid-range: QED Reference XT40i

• Gauge: 12 AWG
• Material: Oxygen-free copper (OFC)
• Tested price: $23/ft ($77/m)

As we go up price-wise, we find the excellent Golden Anniversary XT, a high-quality speaker cable that’s based on the knowledge and legacy of QED, the first company to ever produce specialist speaker cables.

This cable is made with oxygen-free copper and delivers a balanced soundstage, with a bright and clear sound that’ll fit all sound systems and genres. However, one thing I noticed is that it does not have quite the same punch as competitors when it comes to rhythm.

There are some issues with the not-so-sturdy rubber rings on the plugs, but overall, it’s a great choice for people who appreciate clarity and detail in music.

Best upgrade: AudioQuest Rocket 33

• Gauge: 14 AWG
• Material: Perfect-surface copper (PSC), long-grain copper (LGC)
• Tested price: $38/ft ($125/m)

If you like the Rocket 11 sound signature but want more from your hi-fi system, the Rocket 33 offers an even greater level of scale and authority.

This high-quality cable features refined copper conductors with a polished surface, and a concentric-layered conductor design with minimal interference and exceptional signal transmission. The result is a spacious, balanced, and natural sound, with enough dynamic punch for more energetic genres.

Compared to similarly priced alternatives, it seems to me the Rocket 33 offers a larger soundstage with better clarity and cohesion. All in all, it’s a great step up from the Rocket 11.

Best high-end: Chord EpicX

• Gauge: 12 AWG
• Material: Silver-plated oxygen-free copper (OFC)
• Tested price: $133/ft ($435/m)

Now we’re entering serious audiophile territory! The Chord EpicX is a high-end cable that’ll truly test the limits of your hi-fi system.

The EpicX comes with silver-plated OFC wires and top-notch insulation; the result is a sound that feels both clear and true to life. To me, this cable really shines at producing the wide-open sounds of classical or ambient compositions, as it allows the music to flow freely and fade away beautifully.

It’s a bulky and heavy cable, which is really the only downside I can think of. All in all, if budget is not an issue, the EpicX is the ultimate choice for a cable upgrade.

Best for powered speakers: KabelDirekt RCA

• Material: Long-grain copper (LGC)
• Tested price: $1/ft ($3.30/m)

Another reliable and cost-effective solution is the KabelDirekt RCA. This 75-ohm cable is ideal for powered or active speakers, featuring gold-tipped connectors and double shielding to reduce interference. Plus, it’s extremely flexible and available in different lengths, making installation easy even in small spaces.

Frequently asked questions

What materials are speaker wires/cables made of?

Most speaker wires are made of copper, as it offers an excellent balance of conductivity, durability, and affordability.

High-end cables may use pure silver or silver-plated copper, which provides slightly better conductivity but at a higher cost. On the budget end, some cables use copper-clad aluminum (CCA), which is lighter and cheaper but has higher resistance than pure copper, potentially affecting performance over long distances.

What are the key parameters/specs to consider when choosing speaker cables?

The most important factors to consider are connector type, conductor material, wire gauge, insulation quality, and shielding.

What is a speaker wire gauge?

The gauge (AWG) refers to the wire’s thickness. Lower numbers indicate thicker wires, which reduce resistance and carry the audio signal more efficiently.

Does speaker cable thickness affect sound quality?

Yes, thicker cables reduce resistance and signal loss, which is especially important for long cable runs.

What is the best gauge for speaker wire?

For runs under 15 meters, 16 AWG or thicker is fine. For longer distances or high-power systems, 14 AWG or 12 AWG is recommended.

Does the length of a speaker cable affect sound quality?

Yes, longer cables increase resistance, which can affect sound quality, especially over very long distances.

Does cable shielding matter for speaker wires?

Shielding is usually not needed for speaker cables, but it can help in setups with very long runs (5 m or more) or high EMI environments.

What’s the difference between OFC and CCA wire?

OFC (oxygen-free copper) offers better conductivity and durability, while CCA (copper-clad aluminum) is cheaper but has higher resistance, which can impact performance.

What are the best brands for speaker cables?

Top brands include AudioQuest, QED, Chord Company, Kimber Kable, and Van Den Hul.

Do expensive high-end speaker cables make a difference?

It’s debatable, but in my experience, they don’t make a noticeable difference unless you’re upgrading from very cheap or faulty cables.

Is it safe to buy a used high-end speaker cable?

Yes, it’s safe as long as the cable is in good condition, with no damage or corrosion. Checking for wear on the connectors and insulation is recommended.

Can I use an electrical wire as a speaker wire?

Yes, you can, but electrical wires are not optimized for audio and may have higher resistance or inferior insulation, which can affect performance.

Final thoughts

I hope this guide will help you choose the perfect cable for your needs. If there are other cables worth testing, do let us know in the comment section below. Happy listening!