Audioquest Rocket 22 white

The Audioquest Rocket 22 cable is designed to connect an amplifier to speakers. It is sold by the meter to accommodate different setups. Its construction includes a specific metal assembly and a defined internal geometry to preserve the audio signal. This cable is CL3/FT4 certified, allowing its use in traditional or in-wall hi-fi installations.

A metallurgical construction where each copper plays its part

The Rocket 22 features a conductor architecture based on a calculated balance between two types of copper with complementary properties. Long-Grain Copper (LGC), which makes up 37% of the conductors, has an optimized crystalline structure where the copper grains extend over greater lengths. This configuration minimizes internal junctions, those transition zones between grains that typically generate micro-distortions as the electrical signal passes through. The LGC is concentrated in the central part of the conductor bundle, forming the stable core of transmission.

The outer layer of the conductor uses Perfect-Surface Copper (PSC), representing 63% of the composition. This material benefits from a surface treatment that virtually eliminates microscopic asperities. This molecularly polished surface plays a decisive role in the transmission of high frequencies, where the skin effect naturally concentrates electrical current at the conductor’s periphery. PSC thus ensures a smoother, more natural treble reproduction, without harshness or artificial coloration.

The layout of these conductors follows Audioquest’s patented “True-Concentric” principle. Unlike conventional cables where strands are arranged in parallel or randomly, the Rocket 22 organizes its conductors in successive concentric layers, each layer being spiraled in the opposite direction to the previous one. This alternating spiral direction eliminates linear contact lines between layers and increases pressure at point contacts. This semi-solid geometry keeps the spatial relationships between strands fixed along the entire cable length, drastically reducing parasitic electromagnetic interactions between conductors.

A double-spiral geometry to tame inductance

The Rocket 22 employs a twisted double-pair geometry that radically transforms its electrical behavior. Each cable channel includes four conductors arranged in two pairs, each pair being twisted upon itself. This configuration contrasts with parallel-conductor cables, which naturally exhibit high inductance, a source of temporal dispersion of the signal and a confused rendering of transients.

Twisting the conductors creates a mutual cancellation effect of the magnetic fields generated by current flow. This reduction in inductance translates acoustically into a more linear bandwidth extension, with tighter, more defined bass and airier, more natural highs. The total cross-section of 3.31 mm² per channel offers sufficiently low electrical resistance to preserve dynamics and authority, even over long runs.

The PVC insulation with blue stripes does more than visually identify the cable. This outer jacket protects the assembly from mechanical stress while minimizing electromagnetic energy absorption. The PVC dielectric was selected for its long-term stability, avoiding progressive polarization phenomena that can degrade cable performance after several years of use.

Installation versatility and multiple configurations

The Rocket 22 stands out for its ability to adapt to various installation configurations without requiring complex preparation. In a standard single-wiring setup, the two red conductors are grouped to form the positive pole, while the two conductors form the negative pole. This straightforward implementation enables quick installation while fully benefiting from the cable’s construction technologies.

For speakers with dual binding posts, bi-wiring is possible without modifying the cable. At the amplifier end, the conductors remain grouped by color. On the speaker side, one red conductor feeds the positive treble section, one black the negative treble, the second red goes to the positive bass, and the second black to the negative bass. This physical separation of electrical paths for different ranges eliminates inter-range modulation caused by the strong currents of low frequencies acting on the more delicate treble signal.

CL3/FT4 certification authorizes the Rocket 22 for in-wall and conduit installations, in compliance with North American and European fire safety standards. This approval attests to the jacket’s fire resistance and its low emission of toxic fumes in the event of combustion. Professional installers particularly appreciate this feature, which simplifies integration into custom installation projects or in-wall home theater systems.

An acoustic stance between neutrality and musicality

In listening, the Rocket 22 requires a break-in period of about a week to fully reveal its qualities. The first few hours may present a slightly veiled, thick character that gradually fades. Once stabilized, the cable delivers a balanced sonic signature that favors coherence and fluidity rather than the spectacular highlighting of certain frequency ranges.

Compared to the Rocket 11, the bass gains in definition and articulation, with better differentiation of bass lines and a more natural extension into the deep lows. The midrange retains a fleshy density that gives substance to voices and acoustic instruments without tipping into excessive coloration. The highs particularly benefit from the outer PSC copper, with a more refined rendering of harmonics and improved resolution of ambient micro-details.

The soundstage widens notably, with better lateral separation of sources and increased depth of the stereophonic image. The sound layers stand out more clearly, creating a more convincing three-dimensional sense of space. This improved spatialization does not come at the expense of central focus, which remains precise and stable even in complex orchestral passages.

Technical Specifications

Composition

• Conductors: semi-solid concentric alloy (63% PSC, 37% LGC)
• Dielectric: polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
• Jacket: black CL3 polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with blue stripes

Physical Properties

• Cross-sectional area: 3.31 mm²
• Geometry: dual twisted pair

Technical Design

• Semi-solid Perfect-Surface Copper (PSC) and Long-Grain Copper (LGC) conductors
  • Maximum distortion reduction by keeping strands fixed in place
  • Optimized copper purity
• Reverse-spiral dual-pair geometry
  • Reduced inductance
  • Increased clarity and improved frequency extension
  • Optimized for deep bass and precise highs
• Optimized multi-strand cable with PSC/LGC blend for a smoother, clearer sound than ordinary OFHC copper

Compliance and Safety

• PVC insulation: reliable protection for in-wall installations
• Safety rating: CL3 / FT4
• Compliant for residential or commercial in-wall mounting

Recommended Applications

• Hi-Fi audio systems
• Home theater
• Residential or commercial in-wall installation
• Bulk speaker cable

Technical Benefits

• Clean, precise signal transmission: preserves the integrity of the sound from the amplifier to the speakers
• Reduced dynamic distortion: each strand maintains its position to minimize electrical and magnetic interactions
• Easy, secure installation thanks to CL3 / FT4 compliance
• Robust design suited to in-wall installations
• Reliable signal transmission with minimal distortion