The Chord Company adds the X-factor to the Rumour and Shawline speaker cable lines-- the RumourX and ShawlineX cables feature XLPE (Cross-linked Polyethylene) technology promising superior phase qualities.
First seen in the SignatureXL high-end speaker cable line, the dielectric XLPE is a lower-cost alternative to Taylon, the phase-stable insulation material used in the Sarum T and ChordMusic speaker cables. The technology has now trickled down to two other Chord Company cable lines, namely Rumour and Shawline.
While previous Rumour cables use PTFE (aka Teflon) insulation, the RumourX features XLPE. It remains one of the narrowest cables from the Chord Company at 6mm, and is based on silver-plated OFC conductors in a twisted-pair configuration with XLPE insulation and a PVC outer jacket. The narrow gauge and construction make it ideal for installations demanding a discreet, easily hidden cable.
Meanwhile the ShawlineX is a more refined version of the Rumour cable. It upgrades the conductor layout with a PVC internal jacket aimed at reducing mechnical noise, and adds a high-density, dual-layer foil and braid shield used in the Chord Epic speaker cable. The twisted-pair conductors are silver-plated and insulated with the XLPE dielectric, and the cable is finished with a 93% coverage metal braid and translucent PVC outer jacket.
Both cables are factory terminated and ship with silver-plated ChordOhmic speaker plugs.
