QED Reference review

There's no doubt that QED's Reference HDMI is an assured performer, but the price may put off those on a tight budget

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

It's a great cable, and an assured, but expensive, performer

Pros

  • +

    Great detailing

  • +

    sharp pictures

  • +

    expansive sound

  • +

    realistic tones

Cons

  • -

    It's not cheap

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

It's easy to pick a QED cable out from the crowd – well made, lush packaging, flashy plugs and a spangly jacket.

And, oddly enough, the Reference fits that description, which, at a wallet busting £125, is mildly reassuring.

The performance reassures too, with sharp, crystal clear and smoothly fast-paced images that feature life-like contrast and realistic skin tones.

Plenty of dynamics and punch
The opening scenes of The Fellowship Of The Ring leap from the screen at you, and the luxurious greens and sunshine are faithfully reproduced.

It follows that the sound should match, and lo and behold, it does, with expansive and elastic sonics that dig deep when needed and are packed full of dynamics and punch.

This is a great cable hands down, and if you've got the money then, yes, have a ball, but if, like most mere mortals, you're working to a budget then the Chord Supershield might be a better bet.

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What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

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