Chord Company Optichord review

An incredibly likeable cable. Try it now. Tested at £51

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

An incredibly likeable cable. Try it now.

Pros

  • +

    Attractive looks, attractive sound

Cons

  • -

    Nothing of note

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.

The Optichord is a gorgeous cable. It has a solid, metallic-emerald body, complemented by curvy, dark-chrome plugs.

And it’s not all style, either: this Chord is an excellent performer. This is a fun, exuberant cable, and does its job with enthusiasm.

Its sound is clear, well spaced and it is easy to isolate specific elements. It also does a great job of conveying substance and texture, allowing instruments to maintain their power as well as their aural identities.

This cable functions like a well-oiled clock, with everything locking into place and working together. The result is an experience that’s confident, competent and extremely likeable.

The Optichord gives a lot for not that much money: highly recommended.

See all our digital cable reviews

Follow whathifi on Twitter

Join whathifi on Facebook

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.

Read more about how we test

Latest in Cables
Ecosse CS2.15Mk2 speaker cable on white surface
Ecosse CS2.15Mk2
Speaker cable: QED Golden Anniversary XT
QED Golden Anniversary XT
Audio cable: Chord Company ClearwayX ARAY Analogue RCA
Chord Company ClearwayX ARAY Analogue RCA
AudioQuest Rocket 11 cables
3 rookie mistakes to avoid when buying speaker cables
Chord EpicX ARAY
Chord ups the epicness of its popular high-end audio interconnect
Chord Company SignatureX Tuned ARAY
Chord Company’s new interconnect promises "the best performance in 25 years" - but it'll cost you
Latest in Reviews
JBL SA550 integrated amplifier
JBL SA550 Classic
iFi Zen Phono 3 phono stage
iFi Zen Phono 3
Google TV Streamer video streamer
Google TV Streamer
Samsung QN990F on a white media unit with a grey curtain in the behind it and soundbar in front
Samsung QN990F 8K TV
Elac Debut 3.0 DB53 standmount speakers
Elac Debut 3.0 DB53
 iFi Zen DAC 3 digital-to-analogue converter
iFi Zen DAC 3