AudioQuest Forest 48 HDMI Cable

The AudioQuest Forest 48 is a passive 48 Gbit/s HDMI cable whose Long-Grain Copper conductors carry a 0.5% silver plating – the first stage in the range where AudioQuest refines the copper. Everything else stays current: 8K/60, 4K/120, HDR, and eARC.

Why the Forest 48?

High-frequency signals prefer to travel along the conductor surface – skin effect, in textbook terms. That's exactly where the silver sits on the Forest 48, the best electrical conductor material there is. The half-percent plating costs little and works exactly where something actually happens at 48 Gbit/s. Below that runs the same Level 1 noise dissipation as on the Pearl 48: continuous direction control across all 19 conductors.

What you get

A ready-to-connect HDMI cable from 0.6 to 5 metres long, with which the bandwidth headache stops. It transmits picture up to 10K, all common HDR variants including Dolby Vision, and delivers TV sound back to your system uncompressed via eARC – with the same conductor and shielding quality as the picture pairs.

Who is the Forest 48 suitable for – and who isn't it for?

For everyone who's already invested properly – good TV or projector, AV receiver, current console – and doesn't want to skimp on the last stretch of all places. To be blunt: on the second TV in the kitchen, you'll neither look for nor find the difference to the Pearl 48. And for a projector over a long distance, an active cable remains the right answer.

Our verdict

The Forest 48 is the point where the price-performance curve bends: little extra cost, noticeably more substance. Which stage and length suits your setup, we'll clarify in five minutes – HD Zürisee in Wädenswil, 044 680 22 00, WhatsApp 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls), or shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Technical data

• Type: passive HDMI cable per HDMI 2.1, Type A connector (19-pin)
• Bandwidth: 48 Gbit/s over 4 FRL pairs at 12 Gbit/s each
• Conductors: Long-Grain Copper with 0.5% silver plating
• Noise dissipation: Noise-Dissipation Level 1, all 19 conductors direction-controlled
• Resolution: up to 10K, 8K/60 and 4K/120, HDR and Dolby Vision
• Audio return channel: eARC with 0.5% silver and Level 1 noise dissipation
• Lengths: 0.6 / 1 / 1.5 / 2 / 3 / 5 m

Frequently asked questions

How much does 0.5% silver bring over pure copper?

Little material, effectively placed. High-frequency signals travel along the conductor surface, and that's exactly what's silver-plated on the Forest 48. In practice, that means more headroom against transmission errors at 4K/120 and 8K, especially over the longer lengths in the range.

Is the Forest 48 suitable for PS5 and Xbox Series X?

Yes. The full 48 Gbit/s covers 4K at 120 Hz including VRR and ALLM, exactly what current consoles push to the limit. Also make sure the TV connector you use is a genuine HDMI 2.1 input – not every port on a device can handle that.

Can I install the Forest 48 in a wall?

For permanent installations in a wall or ceiling, the route needs to be planned beforehand and a cable approved for that purpose used. Get in touch with us before any drilling: a subsequent cable swap in conduit is far more unpleasant than a short phone call.

Forest 48 or Cinnamon 48?

The Cinnamon 48 raises the silver plating to 1.25% and adds a metal layer around the signal pairs, i.e. Noise-Dissipation Level 2. That's worthwhile with high-quality displays, full racks, and long runs. If your setup stays compact, the Forest 48 is the sensible choice.

Why get the Forest 48 at HD Zürisee?

Because with us, your setup decides which stage you get, not the margin. We ask about devices, distance, and installation situation and recommend accordingly – sometimes cheaper than expected. Advice is available by phone, WhatsApp, or here with us in Wädenswil.

Goes well with

All about the picture: the whole range under HDMI cables, the matching electronics at the AV receivers, and more from the brand in the AudioQuest collection.