A quad or dual differential pair cable for bi-directional high speed differential signal transmission has a first differential pair of conductors and a second differential pair of conductors. The conductors extend in substantially parallel relation to one another and are electrically insulated from each other by an insulating dielectric. The dielectric and the conductors are surrounded by a conductive metal shield. The dielectric insulates the conductors both from each other and from the shield and is sufficiently crush resistant to maintain the conductors in substantially parallel relation to one another over the length of the cable. The shield may be covered with an optional jacket. Each wire of a differential pair of wires are oriented 180 degrees apart from one another. The distance between any one of the conductors and the shield is equal to or greater than the distance between that conductor and a center axis of the cable.