FAQs

Question:
I need to hide my speaker cables. Can I run the Nordost cables under my carpet or inside walls?
Answer:
Yes, Nordost cables are ideal for use under carpets (even in high-traffic areas), behind baseboards(skirting boards) and in walls. In fact Nordost cables can be buried directly in the ground. This is due to the fact that they are Extruded FEP cables which means they are totally impervious to liquids. They will not break apart or de-laminate and they can withstand repeated flexing. In fact our cables have been flex tested up to 16 million times.

Question:
I need to make a 90-degree turn with my speaker cable. Can I do this with Nordost cables?
Answer:
No problem. Nordost cables can be folded at 90-degree angles.
Remember they are Extruded FEP cables

Question: ?
How can I purchase Nordost cables? Do you sell direct to the consumer?
Answer: ?
You can purchase Nordost cables from any of the dealers or distributors listed in our dealer database. Additionally, we have dealers in other locations not listed on this site which carry a more limited selection of our products. We only sell through authorized dealers and distributors. If there is no listed dealer close to you and you are in the US or Canada please call us Toll Free on +1 800 836 2750 and we will direct you to a dealer who can help you. If you live outside the USA please call the local distributor for your country.

Question:
Are the cables directional?
Answer:
Nordost cables are not directional when they are manufactured. However once they have been used for 70 to 80 hours in one direction they will sound better when they are hooked up and used in the original direction of break in.

Question:
Are balanced (XLR type) or single ended (RCA/Cinch type) interconnects better?
Answer:
This depends on the components used and your own musical tastes. If your equipment is designed with fully balanced circuit topology, then generally speaking, balanced connections will be best. But, if the balanced connections on your units are created using coupling transformers to create their inverted signal, then very often the single-end (RCA) connections will sound better. There are also differences in the sound of the connectors themselves, with light-weight RCA plugs like the WBT NextGens sounding superior to the larger, heavier XLRs employed on balanced leads. Finally, there is a difference in sound between the two topologies themselves: balanced connections tend to be quieter and sound more controlled, whereas single-ended wiring generally sounds more lively, immediate and quicker. Clearly, the preferred option will also depend on the sound of your speakers and room. If your equipment offers a choice of connection you should listen carefully to each option in turn, disconnecting any unused leads, in order to make the right choice for you, your electronics and the speakers you use.

Question:
I need to use very long runs of cable to my speakers. Will I have problems using Nordost products?
Answer:
Absolutely not. Nordost cables are not subject to the same length constraints as conventional cable designs due to extremely low capacitance and inductance figures.

Question:
Should I use long interconnects and very short speaker cables?
Answer:
With Nordost cables this is not a problem. However because interconnects are carrying very low current, line-level signals, it makes sense to keep interconnects relatively short – that is from 1m to 2m, if possible. With speaker cables where voltage and current are typically much higher, the length of speaker cable is not as critical unless you are using an old fashioned network or high capacitance cable which will filter away most of the audio signal and slow down the transient detail.

Question:
I am confused about impedance ratings for Nordost cables? Is this rating for a given length? How does one calculate what the amplifier "sees" as load?
Answer:
The impedance rating we list is the characteristic impedance for any given point in the cable construction. These values are calculated by a mathematical formula using cross sectional geometry, conductor size, pitch and insulation type. Higher values mean lower capacitance and our high propagation speed helps to keep inductance low and balanced. If either the capacitance or inductance were high the characteristic impedance would be lower. This should not be confused with resistance. Most Nordost cables have a resistance of between 4 and 6 ohms per 1000ft(304m) which is what the amplifier sees as its load. In general, controlling the characteristic impedance is only important in digital (75 ohm) and ASE/EBU(110 ohm) applications. Some manufacturers will argue this point because the capacitance of their cable designs is significantly higher making for lower impedance. Nordost believe in non-compensating designs which means keeping the electricals of the cables at absolute minimums. Due to this design philosophy our cables work extremely well with all types of amplifiers. They will let you really hear what the amplifier is doing.

Question:
Is there a progression in sound quality across the Nordost range?
Answer:
Absolutely. Because Nordost is one of the few audio cable companies that actually designs and manufactures its own cables (rather than buying “off the shelf” conductors from industrial suppliers) we offer complete consistency of materials, construction and technology across our range. Thus, not only do Nordost cables exhibit a strong family sound, founded on neutrality, clarity, speed and linearity, as one moves up the range you’ll hear clear increases in detail, dynamic range and sonic accuracy. At the pinnacle, the Odin Supreme Reference cables offer a level of realism that is completely unchallenged by wiring using more conventional technologies, a performance that has forced the audio community to completely reevaluate the importance of cables within the system. Yet, at the other end of the price spectrum, even Flatline Gold is based on the same technology and philosophy.