Audioquest Evergreen Jack/Jack 1m

The Audioquest Evergreen Jack/Jack cable is the entry-level model in the brand’s high-performance analog interconnect range. This cable uses long-grain copper (LGC) conductors, foamed polyethylene insulation, and a dedicated metal layer to reduce electromagnetic interference. These features are designed to minimize distortion during the transmission of analog audio signals.

Technical Construction Serving Sonic Transparency

The Evergreen’s design is based on solid long-grain copper (LGC) conductors, a fundamental feature that sets it apart from conventional cables using OFHC (Oxygen-Free High-Conductivity) copper. LGC technology contains fewer oxides in the conductive material, fewer impurities, and, most importantly, fewer boundaries between the metal’s crystalline grains. These boundaries act as barriers to the electrical signal, creating micro-distortions that affect sound clarity. The choice of solid conductors rather than stranded ones eliminates strand interaction, a major source of dynamic distortion in traditional audio cables.

Insulation plays an equally crucial role in the cable’s performance. Audioquest uses foamed polyethylene, a material with a high air content. This approach is based on the fact that air absorbs virtually no electromagnetic energy, unlike dense insulating materials that store and then release this energy with a time lag, creating a blurring effect in the sound. Foamed polyethylene thus maintains dynamic contrasts and preserves the micro-details of the original recording.

The noise dissipation system using a metal layer is the third pillar of this architecture. Rather than simply shielding the cable, Audioquest has developed a sophisticated approach where the metal layer absorbs and reflects radio frequency interference before it reaches the equipment’s ground plane. This technique prevents signal modulation by RF noise, which is omnipresent in our modern environments saturated with electromagnetic waves.

Double-Balanced Asymmetrical Geometry

The geometry of the Evergreen cable deserves special attention. Audioquest uses a double-balanced asymmetrical configuration, specifically optimized for single-ended analog connections. This geometry offers a relatively lower impedance on the ground, creating a richer and more dynamic listening experience. Unlike many cables that use a single path for both ground and shielding, the double-balanced design separates these two functions for cleaner and quieter performance.

The gold-plated 3.5 mm mini-jack connectors benefit from Audioquest’s patented cold-welding technique. This method eliminates the traditional solder layer, a known source of distortion in signal transmission. The process uses high pressure at the contact point with a silver-impregnated paste, creating a direct molecular connection between the conductor and the connector. The connector shells are stamped rather than machined, allowing the choice of metal for its acoustic properties rather than for ease of machining.

Acoustic Performance and Use Cases

Users consistently report a noticeable improvement in sound clarity when switching from a generic cable to the Evergreen. The reduction in interference results in a blacker background, from which musical details emerge with greater precision. Micro-dynamics—those subtle volume variations that bring a performance to life—are faithfully preserved. The soundstage gains spatial definition, making it easier to pinpoint each instrument in the stereo field.

The Evergreen fits into a multitude of setups: connecting a smartphone or tablet to a hi-fi system, linking a portable DAC to a headphone amplifier, integrating a computer into a traditional audio chain, or connecting portable audio devices to powered speakers. Its universal compatibility with any device equipped with a 3.5 mm mini-jack port makes it a versatile tool for the modern audiophile navigating between digital and analog sources.

Some practical considerations should be noted. The cable is somewhat stiff due to its solid conductors and sophisticated insulation. While this benefits sound quality, it requires careful handling to avoid bending the cable at sharp angles that could damage the jacket’s integrity. The connectors, though robust, are positioned relatively close together on the RCA versions, which may be an issue with some equipment where the inputs are widely spaced.

Technical Specifications

Connectivity

• Connectors: 3.5 mm mini-jack male to 3.5 mm mini-jack male
• Connector finish: gold-plated, cold soldering

Construction and Materials

• Conductors: long-grain copper (LGC), solid conductors to prevent strand interaction
• Insulation: high air-content foamed polyethylene
• Shielding: metal layer for noise dissipation
• Geometry: double-balanced asymmetrical, optimized for unbalanced analog connections

Acoustic Performance

• Significant reduction of distortion and RF/EMI interference
• Preservation of micro-details and sound dynamics
• Faithful transmission of stereo analog signals
• Exceptional sound clarity thanks to long-grain copper conductors

Compatibility and Packaging

• Universal compatibility: smartphones, tablets, portable DACs, computers, audio players, hi-fi systems
• Packaging: sold individually
• Application: any audio device equipped with a 3.5 mm mini-jack port