Cambridge Audio 500 review

This is a worthy upgrade to any 'free' HDMI cable Tested at £40.00

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

A respectable HDMI, and a worthy upgrade

Pros

  • +

    Good picture and sound for the price

  • +

    decent value for money

Cons

  • -

    Chord Company's SuperShield is only £10 more

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.

Not all HDMI cables are the same, proclaims the blurb on the new 1.5m-long 500-series HDMI from Cambridge Audio.

Yet search the web, and you'll find many forum posters disagreeing, arguing that one HDMI is much the same as any other, and that by implication, high-end leads are a waste of cash.

Us? All we can go on is the evidence of our eyes and ears, and the Cambridge Audio's picture and sound performance is so obviously superior to a free (or very cheap) HDMI that we find it hard to believe you could fail to notice the difference.

Edges are sharper, colours appear more rich, black areas of the screen are denser and more consistent – even motion seems more convincing.

Sound is better too, with clearer definition in the surrounds and more punch. Only one thing stands between the 500-series and five stars: the Chord Company SuperShield is better, and costs only £10 more.

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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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