AudioQuest Products Named TAS Editors’ Choice
A wonderful array of AudioQuest products have received The Absolute Sound’s 2025 Editors’ Choice Award.
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ThunderBird eARC Priority
Ultra High Speed 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 Cable
SKU:
HDM48TBIRDEP060
Amplifier-End Connector: Multi-Spade, Banana, U-Spade, or V-Spade
Often, the choice between terminating your speaker cables with spade lugs or banana plugs will come down to personal preference. However, the EU-compliant isolated binding posts used on some power amplifiers often makes it difficult if not impossible to tighten spade lugs with high torque or pressure. In these applications, the AudioQuest banana connector is the superior choice, and may be the only choice.
AudioQuest has conducted a fairly extensive survey of contemporary amplifier manufacturers to determine whether spades or bananas will be most appropriate for a given brand and model of amplifier. Please contact us, provide the brand and model of the amplifier, and we’ll respond with the optimal connector type.
Given the girth and weight of our Mythical Creature Series speaker cables, a spade may be better capable of fully supporting the cable. This is particularly a concern with binding posts that do not allow a banana connector to fully seat into the post. The EU-compliant posts will neither accept our V-Spade nor allow our Multi-Spade to be fully seated. For these applications (or when you’re not certain), we highly recommend the U-Spade, as it can accommodate any binding post. The V-Spade is a specialty spade connector that works well with large wingnut binding posts (such as the Mundorf ), as it allows extra clearance.
Speaker-End Connector: Spade or Banana
Here we typically recommend the U-Spade or banana connector. However, even though there is less weight and pressure on this side of the cable (particularly for BiWire sets), it is nevertheless important to note the binding post’s design. If a banana connector cannot seat all the way into the binding post, we recommend one of our spade connectors.
Key Features & Technology Explained
Specifications
Specifications
Description
Description
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For systems that use a TV’s eARC/ARC output as the audio source, AudioQuest’s eARC-Priority models offer world-class performance at the friendliest possible prices.
- Performance and Value: For systems that use a TV’s eARC/ARC output as the audio source, AudioQuest’s eARC-Priority models offer world-class performance at the friendliest possible prices.
- 48Gbps Bandwidth: AudioQuest “48” HDMI cables can transfer up to professional 10K Ultra-HD video. The 48Gbps bandwidth is made possible by 4 balanced audio/video pairs capable of 12Gbps each. The precision and tighter manufacturing tolerances required to produce HDMI cables that transfer up to 48Gbps bandwidth mean many of AudioQuest’s tried-and-true ingredients and techniques are more important than ever before.
- 8K/10K: AudioQuest 48Gbps HDMI cables have the bandwidth required for video with resolutions up to 10K and resolutions/refresh rates up to 8K/60 and 4K/120. All AudioQuest HDMI cables are completely backwards compatible with existing 4K displays.
- Stunning Visuals and Sound: Elevate your home theater experience with improved clarity and detail. ThunderBird’s state-of-the-art video transmission ensures vivid images and Level-5 Noise-Dissipation delivers cleaner, clearer, and more naturally dynamic sound.
- Gaming Unleashed: Experience exceptional gaming with support for the latest HDMI features such as 8K/60 and 4K/120. The eARC Priority design reduces latency and boosts performance, making it ideal for competitive gamers.
- 10% Silver eARC Conductors / 10% Silver Ground-Reference: In AudioQuest's eARC-Priority HDMI cables, the eARC data-pair conductors and Ground-Reference drain use the same advanced design ingredients as their 48-Series counterparts, enabling world-class sonic performance at more affordable prices.
- 0.5% Silver-Plated Copper A/V Conductors (HDMI): In AudioQuest HDMI cables, increasingly thick layers of silver plating are applied to AudioQuest’s Long-Grain Copper (LGC) conductors to improve Noise-Dissipation. Placing the superior metal on the outside of the conductor produces the greatest benefit on overall performance—a superbly cost-effective way to maximize a digital cable.
AudioQuest eARC-Priority cables are full-on 48-Series HDMI cables with the 48Gbps bandwidth required for 8K-10K video and all the latest video features. While the main A/V data pairs have Cinnamon-level performance (Forest 48’s solid 0.5% Silver + Carbon & Vodka 48’s Level-3 Noise-Dissipation), the eARC data pair and Ground-Reference drain in eARC-Priority cables use all the same advanced design ingredients as their “48” siblings.
| Materials & Design | |
|---|---|
Ground Reference |
10% Silver eARC
|
A/V Conductor |
0.5% Silver
|
eARC Conductor |
10% Silver
|
Jacket |
Black with Blue Stripes Nylon
|
| Features & Performance | |
Noise-Dissipation |
Graphene + Global Carbon + Direction
|
Resolution |
4K@120Hz / 8K@60Hz / 10K@30Hz
|
| Manufacturing Details | |
Country of Origin |
|
 ThunderBird eARC PriorityFrom $395.00 View details |  Vodka eARC PriorityFrom $199.95 View details |  Dragon eARC PriorityFrom $1,095.00 View details | |
|---|---|---|---|
Ground Reference |
10% Silver eARC
|
5% Silver eARC
|
100% PSS Silver eARC
|
A/V Conductor |
0.5% Silver
|
0.5% Silver
|
0.5% Silver
|
eARC Conductor |
10% Silver
|
10% Silver
|
100% PSS Silver
|
Jacket |
Black with Blue Stripes Nylon
|
Blue on Black Braid
|
Black Nylon
|
Noise-Dissipation |
Graphene + Global Carbon + Direction
|
Carbon + Metal + Direction
|
72v DBS and Graphene + Global Carbon + Direction
|
Resolution |
4K@120Hz / 8K@60Hz / 10K@30Hz
|
4K@120Hz / 8K@60Hz / 10K@30Hz
|
4K@120Hz / 8K@60Hz / 10K@30Hz
|
Country of Origin |
|
|
|
News & Reviews
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AudioQuest Cables Deliver Dramatic Improvement
While reviewing the TEAC PD-505T transport, Part-Time Audiophile’s Graig Neville is reminded that high-performance cables can have a powerful impact on overall performance.
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PowerQuest Delivers Performance, Protection, Reliability
In this video, Shane Lee acknowledges the skepticism that exists around high-performance power conditioners. And then… he listens for himself.
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More than Just Accessories
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AudioQuest is Damn Good
HiFi+’s Alan Sircom thoroughly investigates a complete loom of AudioQuest cables and likes what he hears.
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AudioQuest is Made for You
AudioQuest has an outstanding solution at every possible price, says Mark Blackmore of The Audio Beat.
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Twittering Machines’ Holiday Gift Guide
Ho, ho, ho! One part style, two parts poetry, three parts art, and altogether wonderful: Twittering Machines’ Annual Holiday Gift Guide is here!
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Value over Luxury
In November, AudioQuest founder and CEO, Bill Low, visited Hong Kong distributor, Radar Audio, where he was interviewed by AudioTechnique magazine.
