AudioQuest Rocket 22 Speaker Cable

The AudioQuest Rocket 22 is a made-to-order speaker cable with semi-solid True-Concentric conductors of Long-Grain Copper and Perfect-Surface Copper. It's the level at which the Rocket series stops being a mere accessory.

Why the Rocket 22?

The difference from the Rocket 11 lies in the metal and in an additional protective layer. The outer conductors are Perfect-Surface Copper, whose surface is drawn extremely smooth – and because high frequencies prefer to travel along the outside of a conductor, any roughness there has the strongest effect. Inside, it stays LGC. Add to that a carbon-based noise dissipation layer that drains high-frequency garbage before it overlays the music. At 12 AWG, the cable is also more robustly dimensioned.

What you get

You decide length and configuration: Full-Range for speakers with one pair of terminals, Single-BiWire for speakers with separate tweeter and woofer connections. Termination is with SureGrip 300 connectors, in banana or spade. The price is per pair; single runs are made on request.

Who is the Rocket 22 suited for – and who isn't it for?

Plainly put: on a simple entry-level chain, the gap to the Rocket 11 stays small – then the smaller cable is the more sensible choice. Once amplifier and speakers really resolve, the 22 shows more refinement and a fuller midrange. Anyone wanting solid-core conductors and Double Star-Quad geometry ends up with the Rocket 33.

Our verdict

The Rocket 22 is the sensible step up for systems that can show more than an entry-level cable lets through. 5/5 stars – What Hi-Fi?, 2019. We're happy to honestly assess whether the extra cost pays off in your chain: HD Zürisee in Wädenswil, 044 680 22 00, WhatsApp 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls) or shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Technical data

• Type: speaker cable, made-to-order (Rocket series)
• Conductors: semi-solid, True-Concentric, Perfect-Surface Copper (PSC) outer, Long-Grain Copper (LGC) inner
• Cross-section: 12 AWG
• Geometry: twisted double spiral (Double Low-Inductance Twisted Pair), direction-optimized
• Noise dissipation: carbon-based
• Insulation: PVC, CL3/FT4 (in-wall rated)
• Connectors: SureGrip 300, banana or spade, direct silver-plated
• Configurations: Full-Range or Single-BiWire
• Lengths: 2 m, 2.5 m, 3 m, 4 m (price per pair)
• Included: made-to-order cable pair in the chosen length and configuration

Frequently asked questions

What does Perfect-Surface Copper change compared to pure LGC?

It smooths the conductor surface. High frequencies tend to travel along the outside of a conductor, so irregularities there have an especially strong effect. PSC reduces exactly this disturbance – audible as a more open treble and a midrange with more substance rather than just more volume.

What's the carbon-based noise dissipation for?

It drains high-frequency noise that would otherwise overlay the music signal. Carbon-containing material converts part of this energy into heat. In practice, you notice this as a quieter background against which quiet details don't disappear into the noise floor. The Rocket 11 lacks this layer.

Can I switch from Full-Range to Single-BiWire later?

Only with a new termination: the two variants differ in how they're terminated, with four connectors instead of two at the speaker end. So think before ordering about whether your speakers have two pairs of terminals and whether you want to drive them separately. We're happy to run through it with you.

What speaks for buying the Rocket 22 at HD Zürisee?

We match length, configuration and connector type to your specific devices and terminate in-house. On top of that, you get an honest assessment of whether your amplifier-speaker pairing actually shows the difference from the smaller Rocket. Call us, write on WhatsApp or by email.

Goes well with

Fitting partners for the Rocket 22: speakers, integrated amplifiers, more speaker cables and the complete AudioQuest world.