AudioQuest - Mythical Creatures

and Folk Heroes Speaker Cables

Killing the Noise
by Garth Powell Aug. 2019

Distinguishing Technologies
ZERO
  Technology: No Characteristic Impedance
GND
  Technology: Optimized Ground-Noise Dissipation
(Bass/Midrange cables – BASS models only)

Abstract
Today’s hyper connected environment contains far too much radio-frequency (RF)
noise for the faithful music reproduction. By employing linear noise-dissipation
across a wide range of frequencies, we can restore the critical low-level audio signals
that are typically masked or distorted by radio-frequency noise.

Methodology
• ZERO Technology eliminates the interaction between insulators for the cable’s
positive and negative conductors, thereby ensuring no characteristic impedance,
which, in turn, enables the transfer of uncompressed current, and more linear
(even) noise-dissipation.

•  GND (Ground-Noise Dissipation) Technology (for BASS models only): Highly

effective noise-rejection technology works linearly across more than 12 octaves of
induced radio frequencies and reduces transient intermodulation distortion to the
connected power amplifier.

Background
ZERO Technology:
Despite great advancements in today’s power amplifier and component
technologies, they alone cannot fully address the challenge brought by today’s
extraordinary levels of radio frequency noise. Low-level audio signals are masked
and distorted by very small and insidious noise frequencies from cellular towers,
Bluetooth, and satellites. These ever-present induced noises have rendered both
traditional and audiophile speaker cable designs inadequate or lacking.

To ensure consistent or linear noise-dissipation in a speaker cable and across

the greatest range of frequencies, we must eliminate the portion of the cable
that resists linear operation or consistent noise cancellation. That would be the
cable’s characteristic impedance. AudioQuest’s ZERO Technology eliminates the
characteristic impedance entirely, while our GND Technology for BASS (Bass/
Midrange) cables (for those who bi-wire or bi-amp), carries linear noise-canceling
and dissipation even further. Far greater resolution, far less distortion.

By eliminating the cable’s characteristic impedance and by significantly reducing

transient current compression, we are able to ensure vastly improved dynamics,
audio transient reproduction, and bass slam.
 Mythical Creature Series - BiWire Folk Hero Series - ZERO

ThunderBird ZERO with FireBird ZERO with Dragon ZERO with Robin Hood William Tell
ThunderBird BASS FireBird BASS Dragon BASS ZERO ZERO

The new Mythical Creature and Folk Hero ZERO speaker cables may be used in one of two ways: either as ideal Full-Range cables, or, in combination with a
dedicated BASS cable, to create a high-performance BiWire COMBO. All Mythical Creature and Folk Hero BASS cables incorporate GND, AQ’s patented noise-
rejection technology that reduces transient intermodulation distortion to the amplifier—another compelling reason to BiWire or BiAmp whenever possible.

GND (Ground-Noise Dissipation) Technology:

ZERO We have long declared that cables are just as important as any other component
All frequencies carried by all conductors within a system. Never has this been truer than now. It is time to revise the ways in
which we think and talk about speaker cable. Our well-worn assertion that a cable, in
Full-Range
and of itself, cannot improve the sound of a system is no longer an absolute.

Amp Speaker Though this is still a baseline truth, with technologies such as our patented GND
(Ground-Noise Dissipation), we can create a high-frequency, low-impedance path
BiWire Combo that dissipates and drains away induced radio-frequency noise. This parasitic
Two separate cables joined together noise can couple to the primary audio signal, and that creates additional transient
at the amp end intermodulation distortion in many power amplifiers. GND technology is featured in
ZERO all BASS model (Bass-Midrange) cables.

BASS
Distortion in Speaker Cables
Amp BiWirable Speaker Past:
Premium speaker cables have been able to faithfully transmit audio frequencies with
minimal phase distortion for decades (at least when measured at 0dBu). However,
the induced noise from today’s radio frequencies, which are higher in actual
frequency, smaller in physical size, and far more prevalent than ever before, creates

2 AudioQuest - Mythical Creatures and Folk Heroes Speaker Cables - 8/30/2019

 both masking and distortion of critical low-level audio signals. These sub -60dBu
ZERO (No) Characteristic Impedance
Full-Range or Treble audio signals contain much of the music’s air and reverberation as well as many of its
highest frequencies, micro-dynamic audio transients, harmonics, and important cues
Positive (red) and negative (black) signal that determine instrument placement.
conductors are electrostatically isolated.
Traditional speaker cables never attempted to drain, trap, or dissipate induced RF
(+)
noise, as the load impedance was very low, and the source output level was quite
(–) high (+20dBu for .775V input, nominal). However, with the proliferation of Bluetooth,
Speaker cellular towers, and an increase in the number of deployed satellites, such nullifying
Side only
factors can no longer be taken for granted. Today’s induced RF noise can mask or
eliminate a great deal of low-level audio signals, and it can also create transient
intermodulation that causes an audibly annoying edge, ringing, or harshness when
these noise signals intermittently mix with transient audio signals.

The restriction of transient current, which gives the audio signal its immediacy,
impact, and bass slam, is another limitation of traditional and audiophile speaker
cable technology. This limitation can occur because the characteristic impedance of
the cable is frequently lower than that of the loudspeaker(s) at resonance, and, as the
speaker is rarely one impedance at all frequencies, its interaction with the speaker
cable will vary frequency by frequency, and with varying drive levels. This creates
distortion.

Present:
We cannot hope to match the source and load impedance of the amplifier and the
speaker as would be required for a classic transmission line cable (and we would lose
half the power and all of the amplifier’s damping factor if it were attempted).

So, the best means of eliminating the inherent problems with the cable’s
characteristic impedance is to simply get rid of it. This is precisely what has been
done with AudioQuest’s ZERO Technology. ZERO Tech ensures no characteristic
impedance, as we have eliminated the interaction of the insulators (or the dielectric
constant), from the cable’s positive and negative conductors.

By doing so, we are afforded uncompressed current transfer. Transient current

transmission is now limited only by the DC resistance and length of the cable, and
RF noise-dissipation that is linearized (i.e., made more consistent octave by octave).

Ground-Noise Dissipation (GND)

Bass/Midrange Cables – BASS models only
For those who can bi-wire, bi-amp, tri-amp, and so forth, our new GND Technology
takes linear noise-dissipation steps beyond. By utilizing a portion of the technology
developed for the Niagara AC power products (Ground-Noise Dissipation; US patent
#9,373,439), we have developed a highly efficient noise-canceling circuit that works
linearly across more than 12 octaves of induced radio frequencies.

Further, any cable construction that utilizes a circuit card, micro-chip, or phasing
filters in a box in an effort to reduce RF noise cannot be linear, or nearly as effective at
doing so. To an extremely small (2GHz) induced noise signal with a sine wave of less
than 4 microns (0.004mm), the remaining length of cable (after the small circuit or
box), might as well be a kilometer. AudioQuest’s GND technology works across the
entire length of the cable, assuring consistent results.

AudioQuest - Mythical Creatures and Folk Heroes Speaker Cables - 8/30/2019 3

 BASS (0Hz – 10kHz)

All (4) Conductors – Arrow (Direction)

To Speaker Schematic of Minus (–) Conductors
AMPLIFIER SIDE
Other (4) Conductors (AMP) (SPEAKER)
NOT Connected Black
(+) SPEAKER SIDE Open Direction
All (8) Conductors
Connected Green
Direction

(–)

Common-Mode Noise Filter (Choke)

Cables are like antennas in that they pick up RF-induced noise. Typically, this noise
is even, or symmetrical, making it common to all conductors. This topology cancels
much of the induced RF noise across the entire length of the cable.

Notes for proper implementation of BASS

and ZERO cables in audio systems: Improved Amplifier Performance
BASS: Additionally, though a well-constructed power amplifier may have a solid
AudioQuest’s patented GND (Ground-Noise aluminum or steel chassis with extraordinarily low impedance at 50-60Hz, the
Dissipation/phase-cancelling array) technology impedance is going to be considerably higher at radio frequencies. This chassis
is extraordinarily effective, but its benefits come is depended on to drain away these induced radio-frequency noises.
at a price. Though a BASS cable will demonstrate
a very high bandwidth when measured with
a single tone at a high signal level, it can lose Since any current (induced RF noise included), will take the path of least
some low-level content at extraordinarily low resistance, AudioQuest’s GND Technology can help lower the transient
signal levels above 10kHz. It is therefore never
suitable for full-range applications. It is, however,
intermodulation distortion. It does so by capacitively coupling and low-
the cable of choice for multi-amplified speaker impedance draining much of the RF noise to the BASS model cable, where it
systems that direct signals to any driver other is then turned into heat or drained in the direction of far less sonic harm or
than the tweeter or super-tweeter. A speaker
negative consequences. This is toward the speaker, significantly improving the
system that directs signal to a tweeter or super
tweeter is best served with a ZERO cable. performance of the amplifier.

ZERO:
AudioQuest’s ZERO (no characteristic
impedance) technology offers extended
frequency bandwidth, extraordinarily linear
noise-dissipation, and the lowest transient
current compression possible in a speaker cable.
However, it is important to note that with this
strength, comes vulnerability. If two or more
ZERO cables are paralleled (such as when bi-
wiring), the two cable circuits could create a very
high-frequency resonant peak (ringing), making
that combination unsuitable. This cannot occur
with a single ZERO cable in any connection
scenario, nor can it occur when a ZERO cable
is used in a BiWire COMBO with a BASS cable.
In either of those configurations, the issue is
completely nullified.

4 © 2019 AudioQuest • California, USA • The Netherlands • Hong Kong • Tel +1 949.790.6000 • audioquest.com