Not on the evidence of the cable specifications alone. QED’s “Performance” is a product-range name, not a grade for streaming quality. Its Performance Ethernet cable is designed to connect compatible network equipment, such as a music streamer and router; QED’s stated specifications describe connectivity capability, not a proven improvement in the sound of a music service.
What “Performance” means in QED’s range
QED uses Performance for a family of analogue and digital AV cables, rather than a single streaming product or an audio-quality scale. In an announcement dated 1 October 2026, the company described a refreshed 13-product range that includes speaker cable, bi-wire links and USB audio cables. QED’s announcement is a description of its product range, not independent evidence of sound-quality gains.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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QED XT40i Pre-Terminated Speaker Cable – 2m Pair | $199.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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QED XT40i Pre-Terminated Speaker Cable – 3m Pair | $229.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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QED SAXT Pre-Terminated Speaker Cable – 2m Pair | $132.75 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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QED GAXT Pre-Terminated Speaker Cable – 3m Pair | $386.57 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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QED GAXT Pre-Terminated Speaker Cable – 2.5m Pair | $284.54 | Buy on Amazon |
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What the Performance Ethernet cable does
Ethernet carries data between devices on a network. QED lists its Performance Ethernet cable for links such as a compatible music streamer to a router or network switch. QED specifies it as Cat 6 FTP and says it supports high-resolution audio streaming up to DSD1024. These are manufacturer-stated specifications; they do not show that the cable improves a track’s recording, the stream supplied by a service, or what listeners hear. See QED’s Performance Ethernet product page.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →A wired Ethernet connection may be useful if your streamer has an Ethernet port and you want to connect it to your home network by cable. It is a network connection, not the same thing as the digital-audio connection from a streamer to a DAC, or the analogue connection from a DAC to an amplifier.
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Choose a cable for the connection you need
| Connection | When it fits | QED Performance example |
|---|---|---|
| Ethernet | Connecting a compatible streamer to a router or network switch | Performance Ethernet, specified by QED as Cat 6 FTP and supporting streaming up to DSD1024 |
| Digital audio | Connecting compatible digital-audio equipment, such as a streamer to an external DAC | Performance Digital Audio; QED specifies 75-ohm geometry |
Check the ports on both devices and the signal path before choosing. A network cable cannot replace a digital-audio cable between a streamer and DAC; nor does the range name tell you which connection your system requires.
What determines streamed music quality
A cable specification is not a measure of the quality of a song or a streaming service’s source. Apple’s support guidance says streamed audio quality depends on song availability, network conditions and the connected headphones or speakers. Apple also notes that lossless playback over cellular or Wi-Fi uses significantly more data. Its guidance is about Apple Music playback generally, not a comparison of QED cables: About lossless audio in Apple Music.
Rank #2
- Air Gap dielectric for lower capacitance and better timing
- X-Tube technology for low inductance and better current delivery
- Pure 99.999% oxygen-free copper conductors
- Ideal for long cable runs with large cross-sectional area
- Pre-terminated with Airloc Heat Shrink 4mm Banana Plugs
What the available evidence does—and does not—show
QED’s product pages establish what the manufacturer specifies and recommends for its cables. The available sources do not provide an independent listening comparison demonstrating that a QED Performance cable makes streamed music sound better. That absence is not proof that every cable performs identically in every setup; it means the cited specifications should be read as connectivity information, not as evidence of an audible upgrade.
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If your current network connection is unreliable, addressing that connection may help resolve interruptions or playback problems. But the DSD1024 figure is not a promise that a streaming service will deliver DSD1024, or that a cable will improve playback when the network and equipment are already working as intended.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- NEW X-Tube Plus combines X-Tube and Aircore for consistent frequency performance
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Rank #4
- NEW X-Tube Plus combines X-Tube and Aircore for consistent frequency performance
- Hybrid ultra-pure copper conductor for improved signal retention
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- Airloc Forté banana plugs for improved conductivity and reliability
- Award-winning cable design recognized by multiple audio publications
Rank #3
- X-Tube technology for linear signal transfer
- Silver-plated 99.999% OFC conductors
- Low-density polyethylene dielectric minimizes signal loss
- Compact 3.9mm outer diameter jacket
- QED Lifetime Guarantee
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