
Audio cables are important for any audio system. The materials used to make them can greatly affect sound quality. Investing in high-end stereos and speakers potentially wastes money if the cables connecting them distort the sound. Beyond sound quality there are also a host of other properties that impact the overall performance of the cable.
Today, the most common materials used in audio cables are copper, silver, and gold.
- Copper is the most affordable and widely used material for audio cables. The metal is a good conductor of electricity, but it is not as good as silver or gold. Copper cables can be prone to oxidation, which can lead to signal loss.
- Silver is a better conductor of electricity than copper, and it is also more resistant to oxidation. Silver cables are often used in high-end audio systems, where they can provide a clearer and more detailed sound. However, silver cables are also more expensive than copper cables.
- Gold is the best conductor of electricity of all three metals, and it is also resistant to oxidation. Gold cables can provide the highest possible sound quality and are often used in the most expensive audio systems.
Aluminum is also used in audio cables. Though much less conductive than copper, silver, and gold, it is a budget friendly choice that also has the benefit of being light weight. For example, it is an appropriate choice where portability is critical.
Galvorn Carbon Nanotube (CNT) Yarn
Before we dive into Galvorn CNT yarns, let’s clear up some of the confusion surrounding CNTs. Carbon nanotubes are small tubes of carbon atoms that are arranged in a hexagonal lattice. To the human eye they they look like this:

The different types of CNTs include single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Generally speaking, SWCNTs have better properties than MWCNTs. CNTs have excellent electrical conductivity, superior strength at fraction of the density–at the nanoscale.
However, CNTs experienced hype (and subsequent disillusionment) back in the 2000s. The scientific community learned that when CNTs formed larger structures like fibers and yarns, their properties decreased significantly.
Today, DexMat, a spinout from Rice, makes high-performance carbon nanotube fibers, films, yarns, and fabrics. In our fibers and films the CNTs are highly aligned, which enables the high-performance properties we see today. Here’s what Galvorn yarns look like:

Above: Galvorn carbon nanotube yarn. Galvorn is available in twisted yarn and braided yarn constructions. Visit our online store to purchase samples, or contact us directly for production orders.
Galvorn production, from fiber spinning to yarn construction, ensures the highest performing properties commercially on the market today.
Galvorn specifications are available for download. The spec sheet includes a full listing of our products and their properties.
Are they at the theoretical limit of individual carbon nanotubes? Not yet. Are they conductive, many times stronger than copper, and half the weight of aluminum? Yes. (You can learn more about the improving conductivity in our FAQ, see “Will Galvorn’s conductivity always be what it is today?”)
Why Galvorn carbon nanomaterial for audio cables?
The idea of using carbon nanomaterial for better sound quality is not new. But historically cost and availability have been the most limiting factors. Fortunately, with DexMat’s progress scaling up production and simultaneously bringing costs down, the business case checks out.
So let’s talk about performance.
Sound quality: While Galvorn’s electrical conductivity is about 1/6th that of copper, sound quality is determined by multiple factors. The objective with any cable is to achieve optimal signal transmission and prevent signal reflections. The size of the conductor, the insulation material, and the thickness of the insulation can all influence how well the cable resists the signal passing through it.
Watch this throwback video to see how a Galvorn cable compares to a traditional off the shelf cable:
TL;DW: It works.
The closest we have to audiophiles here at DexMat are our founders, one of whom is also a DJ (we'll leave you to guess who). They can testify that CNT audio cables sound pretty magical.
For the audiophiles out there, this is likely not the first time you’ve heard of carbon nanotube audio cables. But it might be the first time you learn that CNT yarns—pure conductive, strong, lightweight and flexible yarns—are being produced in lengths spanning multiple kilometers. So we’ll let you be the ultimate judge of sound quality.
Which brings us to the other Galvorn properties that make it a great candidate for audio cables:
- Lightweight: The density of Galvorn fibers is 1.6 g/cm3, about half that of aluminum’s 2.7 g/cm3. The yarns are even more lightweight, ranging between 0.7 - 1.0 g/cm3.
- Strength: The strength of Galvorn fibers measures 3 GPa, about 8 times stronger than copper’s 0.38 GPa.
- Flexibility: Testing has demonstrated that Galvorn has 100x the flex life of copper.
- Bend radius: The bend radius of Galvorn is significantly better than any metal. Check out this SEM image of a CNT fiber tide into a knot (you can’t do this with metal)...
Right: SEM image of Rice University wet-spun CNT fiber (similar to Galvorn) tied into a knot with tight curvature, without fraying or fracture
The combined resistance to flex fatigue and bend radius could interest all those audiophiles that have the audacity to tightly coil their cables. Though perhaps they don’t exist… yet. 😉
What we can tell you is that these characteristics have been of interest to other customers looking to install wiring in tight spaces and do so without having to worry about durability.

Can Galvorn deliver better sound quality, light weight, and durability?
As with most applications where Galvorn shines, the benefit is not from any one property. The combination of high-performance properties is what makes Galvorn special. Advanced carbon cables are already gaining traction in lightweight wiring and harness in automotive and aerospace applications. Galvorn cables are also making strides in power transmission cables for the electrical grid.
We see a lot of promise in using Galvorn in audio cables. Contact us if you do too.