The QED Performance Subwoofer Cable is a dedicated analogue interconnect for connecting an active subwoofer to an amplifier or AV receiver, built to maintain signal integrity over longer runs.
Key features
- 99.999% oxygen-free copper (OFC) conductors: high-purity copper provides a low-resistance signal path for clean bass transmission.
- Quasi-balanced twisted pair geometry: delivers common-mode noise rejection on an unbalanced RCA (phono) connection, reducing interference over the cable's length.
- Dual electrostatic shielding: an aluminium/Mylar wrap with an OFC drain wire provides 100% electrostatic screening against external interference.
- 24k gold-plated 6-leaf RCA plugs: corrosion-resistant connectors with a secure, multi-contact grip for reliable long-term contact.
- Directional design: the shield is grounded at the source end only for optimal noise rejection. Arrows on the cable jacket indicate correct orientation.
Overview
Subwoofer cables often need to cover distances that most analogue interconnects do not, and that length makes them more susceptible to interference. QED's approach with the Performance Subwoofer Cable is to treat this as an engineering problem rather than a marketing one.
The quasi-balanced twisted pair geometry is the headline feature. By twisting the signal and return conductors together, the cable rejects common-mode noise in much the same way a balanced (XLR) connection would, while using standard RCA connectors. This matters most on longer runs like this 6 m version, where the cable passes near power cables, transformers, or other sources of electromagnetic interference.
Shielding is thorough: a full aluminium/Mylar wrap with an OFC drain wire provides 100% electrostatic coverage. The cable is directional, with the shield grounded at the source end only, so correct installation matters. Arrows printed on the jacket make orientation straightforward.
The connectors are QED's own 6-leaf RCA plugs, gold-plated to 24k to resist corrosion. The zinc-plated alloy barrel is easy to grip during installation. Build quality throughout is consistent with the wider Performance range.
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is used as the dielectric, chosen for its low capacitive loss characteristics. Electrical measurements bear this out: capacitance sits at 115 pF/m and loop resistance at 0.160 Ω/m.
