AudioQuest Black Lab Subwoofer Cable

The AudioQuest Black Lab is a subwoofer cable with solid Long-Grain Copper conductors in balanced coax geometry, supplied with a ground wire against hum loops.

It's built for the run that's the longest in almost every living room: from the amplifier or AV receiver right across the room to the subwoofer. That's exactly where a thin bundled cable picks up everything that's out there in the way of interference.

Why the Black Lab?

The construction is balanced coax: the positive and negative conductors are made identically, so the shield never has to double as a signal conductor on the side. Both conductors are solid Long-Grain Copper, surrounded by nitrogen-foamed polyethylene – air is the best dielectric money can't buy. A metal-layer noise-dissipation system reflects high-frequency interference before it reaches the ground plane of the electronics. The RCA connectors are cold-welded instead of soldered, so there's no solder joint in the signal path.

What you get

A single mono cable with RCA connectors on both ends, in seven lengths from 2 to 20 metres. Included is a separate ground wire with cable lugs – the small wire that solves a hum problem before it becomes a case for the technician.

Who is the Black Lab suitable for – and who isn't it for?

To be blunt: a subwoofer cable carries a band-limited signal, usually below around 120 Hertz. Frequency response isn't the issue here – any cable can manage that. What matters are two other things, and they concern long runs in particular: interference resistance and ground connection. Between the amplifier and subwoofer hang two devices on two power outlets; hum loops and picked-up high frequency are the norm here, not the exception. A continuously shielded cable with proper geometry and the included ground wire clean up exactly this problem. The Black Lab isn't necessary if your subwoofer sits right next to the amplifier and nothing hums anyway. It's very worthwhile as soon as the sub sits on the other side of the room – and essential if you already know that dull mains hum coming out of the sub.

Our verdict

The Black Lab is the sensible base equipment for the run to the subwoofer: correctly built, correctly shielded, with a ground wire in the box. Measure your run and call us, then we'll find the right length – HD Zürisee in Wädenswil, 044 680 22 00, WhatsApp 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls) or shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Technical data

• Type: subwoofer cable, mono (single cable)
• Conductors: solid, Long-Grain Copper (LGC)
• Geometry: balanced coax with identical positive and negative conductor
• Insulation: nitrogen-foamed polyethylene
• Noise dissipation: metal-layer Noise-Dissipation System
• Connectors: Cinch/RCA, cold-welded, gold-plated
• Directionality: direction-controlled, arrow points towards the subwoofer
• Lengths: 2 / 3 / 5 / 8 / 12 / 16 / 20 m
• Included: one subwoofer cable, separate ground wire with cable lugs

Frequently asked questions

What's the included ground wire for?

It connects the chassis ground of amplifier and subwoofer, thereby eliminating hum from a ground loop. It's only connected when needed, at the ground terminals provided for that purpose. If nothing hums for you, just leave the wire in the box. Ask us if you can't find the terminal.

How long can a subwoofer cable be?

20 metres is uncritical for this signal, which is why the range goes that far. What matters more is that you measure generously: along the skirting board, around door frames, with a bit of margin. Buying too short is more annoying than being a metre too long. In-between lengths we sort out with the distributor.

What do cold-welded connectors bring?

In cold welding, the contact is made under high pressure instead of with solder. That means no extra metal alloy sits in the signal path, and the connection ages less. The contacts are gold-plated anyway, which keeps them oxidation-free for years. The advantage is structural, not sonic in nature.

Why buy the Black Lab at HD Zürisee?

Because we ask about the placement first, not the budget. The right cable usually follows almost automatically from the length, the routing, and the connection type of your subwoofer. Our team in Wädenswil also helps with hum problems even when the cause lies elsewhere.

Goes well with

The rest of the low-frequency department: active models in the Subwoofers category, all connection variants under Subwoofer cables, the remaining range at Cables & Connectors, and in the AudioQuest collection.