AudioQuest Irish Red Subwoofer Cable

The AudioQuest Irish Red is a subwoofer cable that takes over the balanced coax construction of the Black Lab and additionally gives the solid copper conductors a 0.5% silver plating.

So the difference from the entry-level model isn't in the geometry and not in the shielding – both are built identically – but in the conductor itself. That's more honest than any materials arms race on a datasheet.

Why the Irish Red?

AudioQuest deliberately uses silver-plated copper where the transmitted band is narrow – and a subwoofer signal is exactly that. With broadband analog cables, a silver plating brings sonic side effects; in the bass, that argument doesn't apply. The rest of the construction is proven: identical positive and negative conductors in balanced coax, foamed polyethylene as dielectric, a metal-layer noise-dissipation system against high-frequency interference, and cold-welded, gold-plated RCA connectors with 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, with a red-and-black jacket and marked directionality. In-between lengths we sort out with the distributor.

Who is the Irish Red suitable for – and who isn't it for?

Honestly put: the step from the Black Lab to the Irish Red isn't a leap into a different world. Both cables share geometry, dielectric, noise dissipation, and connector technology; what differs is the conductor surface. What a good subwoofer cable can fundamentally achieve, both achieve: an interference-resistant connection over long runs and a clean ground connection without hum. If you're coming from a bundled cable, put your money into the right length and a clean connection first – that step brings the most. The Irish Red is the right choice if the subwoofer itself is high-quality, properly set up, and really meant to blend with the main speakers. For the small sub in the bedroom, the Black Lab remains the more sensible answer.

Our verdict

The Irish Red is the elevated stage of a well-thought-out concept – same blueprint, better conductor, no verbal fog around it. Whether the extra cost pays off on your subwoofer, we'll assess for you honestly: 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, silver-plated Long-Grain Copper
• Silver plating: 0.5%
• Geometry: balanced coax with identical positive and negative conductor
• Insulation: 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

Frequently asked questions

What exactly distinguishes the Irish Red from the Black Lab?

The conductor surface. On the Black Lab, the solid conductor is pure Long-Grain Copper; on the Irish Red, a 0.5% silver plating is added. Geometry, dielectric, metal-layer noise dissipation, and the cold-welded RCA connectors are executed identically on both cables. So the extra cost pays for exactly one component.

Why silver-plated conductors for bass of all things?

Because the transmitted frequency band is narrowly limited here. AudioQuest uses silver-plated copper specifically in such applications, while the company avoids it in broadband analog cables. In the bass, the advantage of the silver surface can thus be used without the usual trade-off. That's exactly why the Irish Red carries it.

Can I run two subwoofers with this?

Not with one cable. The Irish Red is a mono line with one RCA connector per side. For two subwoofers, take either two cables from two outputs or a Y-splitter at the preamp output. We'll tell you which variant suits your device better.

Why get the Irish Red at HD Zürisee?

Because we tell you where this step pays off – and where your money is better spent on the subwoofer itself or on room calibration. On top of that, you get the right length in Wädenswil, support with hum problems, and our own technician for installation.

Goes well with

To match the low end: active models in the Subwoofers category, the remaining connection cables under Subwoofer cables, more connections at Cables & Connectors, and the brand's entire range in the AudioQuest collection.