Profigold PGC82546 review

Bandridge continues to impress in the quality stakes

A rather bulky bi-wire design, some 5x20mm in cross section

TechRadar Verdict

Very good in the midrange and treble, with plenty of kick, this is only (slightly) let down by a touch of dryness in the bass

Pros

  • +

    Good stereo imaging

    Clear treble with good extension

Cons

  • -

    Bass a little dry

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Historically, Bandridge hasn't really been a name to conjure with in audiophile circles, bringing with it connotations of ultra-cheap accessories. However, under its Profigold brand, the company has been making some interesting stuff of late, and this cable looks absolutely the part.

A rather bulky bi-wire design, some 5x20mm in cross section, it consists of four conductors of silver-plated copper wire insulated in foamed polythene with an overall sheath of PVC.

It's sold off the reel and is nice and easy to strip and connect up, and because it's possible to 'unzip' the individual conductors, cheapskates could easily use it in single-wire mode at an effective £9 per metre. We used it with some nice Profigold clamp-on banana plugs at £15 per set of four.

The one area where we have reservations about this cable is the bass, which seems dry and lacking the bloom that makes it obvious whether, for instance, one is listening to a quiet pitched note or a gentle tap on a bass drum. There's plenty of extension, but bass 'tunefulness' falls short.

Apart from that gripe, though, there's much to enjoy in this cable's sound, including particularly clear treble with good extension but no hint of excessive brightness.

Stereo imaging is very fine too, depth extending well behind the speakers with good definition. There are plenty of decent cables to choose from at this price, of course, but this one holds its head up among its peers.

Tech.co.uk was the former name of TechRadar.com. Its staff were at the forefront of the digital publishing revolution, and spearheaded the move to bring consumer technology journalism to its natural home – online. Many of the current TechRadar staff started life a Tech.co.uk staff writer, covering everything from the emerging smartphone market to the evolving market of personal computers. Think of it as the building blocks of the TechRadar you love today. 

Latest in Hi-Fi
Pro-Ject A1.2 in black, playing a vinyl record in a hi-fi listening room
Pro-Ject's new fully-automatic turntable could be the buy of Record Store Day 2025
Klipsch Klipschorn AK7 in a room with lots of dark wood furniture and a bare brick wall
Klipsch just updated two of its most iconic stereo speaker designs, keeping these beautiful retro icons on your most-wanted list
The Creative Pebble Nova on a brown table, connected to a green laptop.
Creative's new otherworldly desktop speakers belong on an alien spaceship – and they're so good, I'd abduct them
SluTune Q1 Bluetooth speaker
I love this super-slim, sleep-friendly Bluetooth speaker – but the name's a nightmare
Vertere DG-X turntable on a pink/white TechRadar background
Vertere's elite DG X turntable is modular, expensive, and hugely desirable
Will.i.am speaking about XBoom speakers at CES 2025, wearing all black with a black cap
'Exploitative use of AI is social media; we already have it – it's called you don't own your data’: will.i.am talks tech, LG, and using AI responsibly
Latest in Reviews
The Kiwi design K4 Boost Battery strap being worn by Hamish
I test VR headsets for a living, and this affordable headstrap is the first Meta Quest 3 accessory you should buy
Both Kiwi design G4 Pro Performance Controller Grips
I thought VR controller grips were pointless until this Meta Quest 3 accessory proved me wrong
The Kiwi design H4 Boost Halo Battery Strap
Want to upgrade your VR headset? Look no further than my new favorite Meta Quest 3 headstrap
WithSecure Elements EPP and EDR main image
I tested the WithSecure Elements EPP and EDR - read how I rated this Endpoint Protection for small business
The RIG M2 Streamstar.
I wanted to love the new RIG M2 Streamstar, but this pricey gaming microphone fails to deliver
Bambu Lab H2D Vs X1C
I've been reviewing the hotly anticipated Bambu Lab H2D for a month, and it's the most versatile machine I've ever used