Since 1991, XLO has been one of America's most respected cable manufacturers. Founded by Roger Skoff, XLO built its reputation on a simple philosophy: cables should be invisible—not adding coloration, but letting the music through. Today, XLO offers four series of audiophile cables, from the entry-level P35 to the flagship S35 Signature. This guide breaks down the full lineup so you can choose the right cable for your system.
The XLO Lineup at a Glance
| Series | Positioning | Speaker Cable | RCA/XLR |
|---|---|---|---|
| P35 | Entry | $819 | $399–$469 |
| U35 Ultra | Mid | $1,299 | $599–$699 |
| R35 Reference | High | $2,299 | $699–$799 |
| S35 Signature | Flagship | $4,399 | $1,499–$1,599 |
P35 — Entry-Level Audiophile Cable
The P35 series is XLO's entry point. If you're upgrading from generic or bundled cables, the P35 is where the XLO sound signature begins: clean, neutral, and transparent. It uses XLO's basic geometry with oxygen-free copper conductors and shielded RCA/XLR terminations.
Best for: Entry-to-mid-level systems ($2,500–6,500 total), first-time cable upgraders, and anyone who wants the XLO house sound without stepping into the higher series.
U35 Ultra — The Sweet Spot
The U35 Ultra series is where most audiophiles land. XLO describes it as delivering "clear improvements in transparency, detail retrieval, and low-frequency control" over entry-level cables. The U35 uses enhanced conductor geometry and improved shielding compared to the P35, resulting in a noticeably quieter background and better instrument separation.
Best for: Mid-to-high-end systems, listeners who want a clear step up from entry cables, and anyone pairing the U35 with amplifiers in the $1,300–3,800 range.
R35 Reference — Studio-Grade Neutrality
The R35 Reference series is XLO's high-end offering. It uses larger gauge conductors, improved dielectric materials, and XLO's Integrated Field-Balanced (IFB) geometry to minimize phase shift across the frequency spectrum. The result is a cable that disappears in the signal chain—music comes through without the cable calling attention to itself.
Best for: High-end systems, recording/monitoring setups, and listeners who want the most neutral, uncolored connection possible.
S35 Signature — The Flagship
The S35 Signature is XLO's top-tier cable. It uses the highest-grade copper conductors, proprietary dielectric, and XLO's most advanced geometry. The S35 is the cable XLO recommends for reference-level systems—where every component is already high-end and the cable is the last link in the chain.
The S35 Speaker Cable at $4,399 is XLO's most expensive offering, alongside the Reference Power Processor ($4,999) for complete system power conditioning.
Best for: Flagship systems where all other components are already at reference level, and listeners who want the complete XLO experience.
Which Cable Types Do You Need?
XLO produces four cable categories across all series:
- Speaker cable — connects amplifier to speakers. This is where you hear the biggest difference, because it carries the highest current.
- RCA interconnects — analog signal between source and preamp/DAC. Choose RCA for unbalanced systems.
- XLR interconnects — balanced analog signal. Choose XLR for balanced systems (DAC/preamp/amp with XLR jacks).
- Power cable — upgrades the AC connection from wall to component. Most noticeable on DACs, streamers, and preamps.
How to Choose
- Match the cable to your system's price class. A $4,400 S35 speaker cable on a $1,900 system is overkill. As a rule, spend 5–10% of your system budget on cables total, with speaker cable taking the largest share.
- Start with speaker cable, then interconnects. The speaker cable carries more power and has a bigger audible impact. Upgrade that first, then move to interconnects.
- Stay within one series. XLO designs each series as a coherent system. Mixing P35 speaker cable with S35 interconnects doesn't deliver the expected gain—the lower series becomes the bottleneck.
- Don't over-length. Buy the shortest length that reaches comfortably. Excess cable degrades performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is XLO cable?
XLO is an American audiophile cable manufacturer founded in 1991 by Roger Skoff. The company produces speaker cables, interconnects (RCA and XLR), power cables, and power conditioners, all known for their neutral, transparent sound signature.
Q2: Are XLO cables worth the price?
XLO cables sit in the mid-to-high audiophile price range. They are not the cheapest option, but they are also not the most expensive. The XLO house sound—neutral, transparent, uncolored—is consistent across all series, which means you're paying for a known sound signature rather than a specific brand premium.
Q3: What does the XLO model number mean (P35, U35, R35, S35)?
XLO's current lineup uses a 35-series naming convention. The letter indicates the tier: P (Prime/entry), U (Ultra/mid), R (Reference/high), S (Signature/flagship). The "35" denotes the current generation.
Contact Us
Questions about which XLO cable series matches your system? Email ian@clarityd.com for personalized recommendations. Browse the full XLO collection.
