XO 5m Optical TOSLINK Digital Audio SPDIF Cable - Black, GOLD series. 24k Gold Casing. Compatible with PS4/PS3, Xbox One, Wii, Sky Q, Sky HD, HD TVs, DVD, Blu-Rays, AV Amp

I bought this cable to link a newly bought Samsung TV to my stereo HI-FI CD player. I had to use a 5m optical cable because I cannot re-arrange the furniture and HI-FI equipment to bring all the kit closer together. The TV set has a Bluray player and a satellite box connected via HDMI cables. Formerly, I had connected up the audio-visual paraphernalia to the HI-FI by RCA analogue cables. The new TV only has an optical output.The optical cable did not work with the TV even though I checked that the connexions at both ends were secure and that the settings on all the equipment were for PCM stereo audio. The connexion would work perfectly for about 10 minutes and then drop out. Perhaps the TV optical connexion was designed with the use of a sound bar in mind. Sound bars are usually located close to the TV set.I decided to test the cable using a direct connexion to the Bluray player alone and it worked perfectly. It also worked perfectly with the optical output from a laptop computer and an external adc/dac. Therefore , it gets 4 stars.My tests led me to the conclusion that it is not the cable which is at fault. Perhaps, the TV optical output is not strong enough to support a data connexion through a 5m cable. Had I used a 3m cable the system would probably have worked perfectly.I really appreciate listening to full HI-FI from a DVD or BLUray disk; so I resolved the difficulties by using a spare external DAC which was connected to the TV with a 1m optical cable, and which was connected to my amplifier with the RCA line outputs from the DAC. This sounds very good and I can now watch the BBC proms in HD video and listen via the HI-FI stereo amplifier - albeit at 192 kpbs compressed audio which sounds reasonably good.The cable itself is well made and the gold plating on the metal plugs is there to protect them from rusting rather than adding anything to the sound reproduction.I conclude that 1 star criticisms about the cable not working may not be totally valid, especially when related to the 5 metre cable which is operating at the limit for domestic cables, as other components in the system may contribute to the audio or video not working.I am not going to send the cable back for a refund because it might come in handy one day either for me or a friend who wants to make a 5m optical connexion from a source that works.Before buying 5 meter optical cables I recommend that you consider an alternative such as connecting via RCA analogue or SPDIF co-axial cable for stereo audio or HDMI for audio-visual. Always, of course if these options are available as sometimes you might have no choice but to use an optical cable in the audio chain - just like me.

Really pleased with my purchase as I had doubts about the length and possible delay in speach as some have advised with longer cables & not fitting. 1st please make sure you removed the end caps this is why it won’t fit. 2nd works great no issues at all with 5m cable connected to Panasonic tv & Panasonic sound bar. My only gripe is the thickness of the cable but that’s something I can deal with otherwise highly recommend.

Works fine but connectors are gold coloured plastic not gold plated as implied?

Very fast delivery not fitted item yet but looks very sturdy

I was very impressed with the quality of these cables. would definitely order from here again. I even got some free cable ties. Excellent customer service and good quality cables.

Great cable good and sturdy well constructed. I buy the best cables available because I want to get the best out of my HDTV. And what a terrific price would cost 3 or 4 times as much on the high street.

Now I do have quality sound with my new logitech z906 speakers.Very happy with quick delivery and the quality of the product.Very cheap and very very good wire!

HQ Product only frustratin' issue is they don't make them in 6m or 7m so I might have to order a couple of 7m XO Premiums just for aesthetics!