AudioQuest Rocket 88 Speaker Cable

The AudioQuest Rocket 88 is the flagship of the Rocket series: a made-to-order speaker cable with solid Perfect-Surface Copper+ conductors, Double Star-Quad geometry, carbon-based noise dissipation and a 72-volt Dielectric-Bias System. It brings technology from AudioQuest's upper series into a price class where you don't otherwise find it.

Why the Rocket 88?

The DBS is the real difference. A small battery applies 72 volts DC to the insulating material and polarizes it permanently – the dielectric stays, so to speak, in a settled state and influences the signal less. An RF trap prevents high frequency from traveling back into the signal via this path. Below that, the same ingredients as the Rocket 44 are at work, just consistently unified on PSC+.

What you get

You choose length and configuration: Full-Range or Single-BiWire, terminated with SureGrip 500 connectors in banana or multi-spade. The DBS modules are permanently attached to the cable and work without a mains connection. The price is per pair; single runs are made on request.

Who is the Rocket 88 suited for – and who isn't it for?

Honestly: on a simple system, you're paying for technology whose effect you can barely access – the Rocket 22 or 33 are the smarter choice there. On a genuinely resolving chain, though, the 88 is a price-performance standout that makes some considerably pricier cables look uncomfortably dated.

Our verdict

Sensible high-end: DBS technology, PSC+ and Double Star-Quad at a price that stays surprisingly down-to-earth. For serious systems, our clear recommendation. Tell us about your speakers and we'll tell you whether the step is worth it: 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, flagship)
• Conductors: solid, Perfect-Surface Copper+ (PSC+)
• Cross-section: 13 AWG
• Geometry: Double Star-Quad, direction-optimized
• Noise dissipation: carbon-based, inside on the negative conductors and outside around the conductor pair
• Dielectric-Bias System: 72 V, with RF trap
• Insulation: foamed polyethylene (Foamed-PE)
• Connectors: SureGrip 500, banana or multi-spade
• 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 with permanently fitted DBS modules

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to charge or plug in the DBS?

No. The battery in the DBS module doesn't supply current to the music signal; it only maintains a voltage on the insulating material. It therefore lasts correspondingly long. A test button on the module shows you the charge state; if it's ever depleted, the cable simply continues to work as a normal speaker cable.

What's the difference between the Rocket 88 and the Rocket 44?

Above all, the 72-volt DBS, which the Rocket 44 lacks. The 88 also uses PSC+ throughout, while the 44 combines PSC+ and PSC. Cross-section, Double Star-Quad geometry and carbon dissipation are the same on both. The difference shows up mainly as extra quiet in the background.

Is the Rocket 88 also available as a single run for a center channel or subwoofer?

Yes, on request. The regular price applies to a pair; a single made-to-order run is priced separately. For active subwoofers, though, you usually need an RCA or XLR cable rather than a speaker cable. Tell us how your subwoofer is connected.

What do you get from buying the Rocket 88 at HD Zürisee?

Advice that comes before the purchase: we check whether your chain can actually exploit the DBS technology, and otherwise suggest the more fitting model. We do the termination in-house, including special lengths. Questions go to 044 680 22 00, WhatsApp 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls) or shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Goes well with

For the surroundings of a flagship model: floorstanding speakers, power amps, power cables and more speaker cables – or go straight to the AudioQuest world.