AudioQuest Rocket 44 Speaker Cable

The AudioQuest Rocket 44 is a made-to-order high-end speaker cable with solid-core conductors of Perfect-Surface Copper+ and Perfect-Surface Copper, Double Star-Quad geometry and carbon-based noise dissipation. It's the level at which the Rocket series starts talking on equal terms with considerably more expensive cables.

Why the Rocket 44?

Purity increases: PSC+ undergoes an additional treatment that further reduces grain boundaries and surface roughness, complemented by PSC conductors in the same bundle. Cross-section grows to 13 AWG compared with the Rocket 33, the Double Star-Quad arrangement remains, and alongside the carbon-loaded layer on the negative conductors there's now an outer carbon layer around the conductor pair. What ultimately stands out is less a new sound than the quiet between the notes.

What you get

You choose length and configuration: Full-Range or Single-BiWire. From this level up, the larger SureGrip 500 connectors are used, in banana or multi-spade. The price is per pair; single runs are made to order on request.

Who is the Rocket 44 suited for – and who isn't it for?

Plainly put: on an entry-level system, the effort evaporates – the smaller Rockets are entirely sufficient there. The 44 shows its strengths on high-resolution floorstanding speakers and powerful amplifiers: calm, control, a three-dimensional soundstage. Anyone who also wants the Dielectric-Bias System has to reach for the Rocket 88.

Our verdict

The Rocket 44 plays with authority and ease and lets nothing slip past demanding speakers. Whether your chain exploits this level, we'll tell you honestly – tell us about your room and your devices: 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: solid, Perfect-Surface Copper+ (PSC+) and 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
• Insulation: foamed polyethylene (Foamed-PE)
• Dielectric-Bias System: not present (only on the Rocket 88 in this series)
• 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 in the chosen length and configuration

Frequently asked questions

How much does PSC+ differ from PSC?

PSC+ is given additional treatment and has fewer grain boundaries and a smoother surface than PSC. In the Rocket 44, both materials work side by side. The effect isn't a different tonal character but less disturbance: more fine resolution and a quieter background on suitably resolving systems.

How does SureGrip 500 differ from SureGrip 300?

The 500 connectors are more generously dimensioned and built for the Rocket 44's larger cross-section. They're cold-welded rather than soldered and are direct silver- or gold-plated with no nickel underlayer. We'll clarify with you before termination which variant fits your terminals.

Is the extra cost over the Rocket 33 worth it?

On high-quality, resolving systems, yes: PSC+, the larger cross-section and the additional outer carbon layer bring more calm and three-dimensionality. On mid-range chains, the gap is smaller. Describe your devices and we'll assess it for your case.

Why buy the Rocket 44 at HD Zürisee?

Because at this price level we don't just ship it – we think it through with you: the right length, correct termination, clean assembly by our own technician. And if a smaller cable would serve your system just as well, we'll tell you that too. Phone, WhatsApp and email are all open.

Goes well with

Fitting for this league: floorstanding speakers, power amps, preamplifiers plus more speaker cables and the AudioQuest world.