AudioQuest FireBird ZERO Speaker Cable
Firebird ZERO speaker cables land in the middle of AudioQuest's top tier Mythical Creatures range and may be used in one of two ways: either as ideal Full-Range cables, or, in combination with a dedicated BASS cable, in a Bi-Wire cable assembly of unparalleled performance.
Solid Perfect-Surface Silver (PSS) and Solid Perfect-Surface Copper+ (PSC+) Conductors: Solid conductors prevent electrical strand-to-strand interaction, major sources of distortion. Surface quality is critical because a conductor can be considered as a rail-guide for both the fields within a conductor, and for the magnetic fields that extend outside the conductor. The astonishingly smooth and pure surface of all AudioQuest's Perfect-Surface metals nearly eliminates harshness and greatly increases clarity compared to lesser materials. The careful choice of the sizes of the PSS and PSC+ conductors ensures that FireBird's performance is close to using all PSS Silver, but at a much lower cost.
Carbon-Based Linearized Noise-Dissipation System (NDS): Today's environment is saturated with radio-frequency noise that is extremely difficult to filter or reject. The frequencies of this noise from satellites, cellular towers, and Bluetooth, etc., are so extremely narrow that a conventional shield, or a series or shunt filter, is wholly inadequate. Much of the low-level signal that carries the harmonics and spatial cues that define high-resolution audio is masked by induced radio-frequency noise. AQ's comprehensive Linearized Noise-Dissipation System combines multiple shields and a carbon-based linearized resistive network that turns most of this noise into heat. By "linearized," it means that the system is equally effective across extremely wide bandwidth, rather than at selected frequencies only, as is more common. The remaining bad energy is effectively drained away from the sensitive amplifier circuits via directionally controlled signal and shield conductors.
ZERO-Tech: The only complete way to eliminate characteristic-impedance mismatches between a cable and the attached source and load is for the cable not to have any fixed characteristic-impedance value. ZERO-Tech accomplishes this by eliminating interaction between the insulation (dielectric) and the cable's conductors—enabling uncompressed current transfer. All-important transient current is unrestricted, and RF Noise-Dissipation is linearized (consistent octave to octave).
72v Dielectric-Bias System (DBS) with Level-X RF Noise-Trap: Insulation is also a dielectric that acts like a shunt-filter. Properly biasing the dielectric linearizes the filter, significantly improving the cable's wide-bandwidth ability to dissipate induced noise. The DBS pack's Level-X Noise-Trap "pulls" RF Noise out of the cable, further reducing attached audio circuit misbehaviour.
Mythical Creature Cold-Welded Terminations: Mythical Creature cables are Cold-Welded to AudioQuest's extremely pure Red Copper Spades or Bananas. The bare copper is submerged (hung) in a vat of pure silver instead of being tumbled in a lower-grade solution. AudioQuest speaker breakouts and plug casings are not metal in order not to induce RF Noise into the conductors.
FireBird Bi-Wiring: When possible, running separate cables to the treble and bass "halves" of a speaker significantly reduces distortion. Bi-Wiring keeps the large magnetic fields associated with bass energy out of the treble cable, allowing the delicate upper frequencies to travel a less magnetically disturbed path, like taking the waves out of the water when you swim.
AudioQuest's BASS and GND-Tech (patented RF-Cancelling Ground-Noise Dissipation) attracts RF energy away from the amplifier's output. When properly implemented, Bi-Wiring has always been a cost-effective way to get better performance for the same or less money. With GND-Tech, the advantage of Bi-Wiring is much more dramatic. Because GND-Tech is so effective, BASS model cables are only for 10KHz and below; do not use a BASS cable full-range or on treble.
FireBird BASS cable is ideal for the Bass input of a Bi-Wire-able speaker in combination with a FireBird ZERO on the treble input. A Bi-Wire COMBO with BASS and ZERO cables joined together at the amplifier is usually the most convenient. When Tri-Wiring, use BASS cables on the Midrange and Bass inputs.
Caution: Do not Bi-Wire with two ZERO cables. ZERO cables in-parallel can create a very high-frequency resonant peak (ringing) and resulting poor sound. Only use a ZERO plus a BASS cable (whether or not joined as a COMBO). Second best is a single ZERO with AQ Bi-Wire jumpers.
Our Take
The AudioQuest FireBird ZERO speaker cables represent serious engineering and performance within the brand's Mythical Creatures range, offering unparalleled flexibility and sonic precision. Positioned mid-tier within the series, they excel in Full-Range setups or as part of a Bi-Wire configuration, delivering exceptional results when paired with a dedicated FireBird BASS cable. Central to their performance are the Solid Perfect-Surface Silver (PSS) and Perfect-Surface Copper+ (PSC+) conductors, which minimise distortion by preventing strand-to-strand interactions and ensuring optimal surface quality. The conductors' carefully balanced composition approaches the purity of all-silver cables at a fraction of the cost, enhancing clarity and eliminating harshness in audio reproduction.
Innovative technologies further elevate the FireBird ZERO's capabilities. The Carbon-Based Linearized Noise-Dissipation System (NDS) efficiently mitigates radio-frequency noise, preserving the fine details and spatial cues crucial for high-resolution audio. AudioQuest's proprietary ZERO-Tech eliminates impedance mismatches, ensuring uncompressed current transfer and unrestricted transient response. Additionally, the 72v Dielectric-Bias System (DBS) with Level-X RF Noise-Trap enhances noise dissipation and prevents interference, maintaining pristine signal fidelity. Combined with cold-welded Red Copper terminations and advanced Bi-Wiring options that segregate treble and bass signals, these cables exemplify AudioQuest's commitment to superior sound quality, making them an essential choice for audiophiles seeking uncompromising performance.
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: Full Range ZERO-Tech Speaker Cable
- Can be used full-range or with AudioQuest FireBird BASS speaker cable in a bi-wire configuration
- Sold as a Pair - 2 Individual Cables
- Also available as a single cable for Centre Channel use etc – please enquire
- Terminations: Factory Fitted Cold-Welded AudioQuest 1000-Series Hanging Silver Plated Extreme Purity Red Copper Spades or Banana Plugs
- Conductors: Solid Perfect-Surface Silver (PSS) & Perfect-Surface Copper+ (PSC+) Conductors
- Noise Dissipation: Multi-Layer Carbon-Based Noise Dissipation
- Geometry: ZERO-Tech (No Characteristic Impedance)
- 72v Dielectric-Bias System (DBS) with Level-X RF Noise-Trap
- Gauge: 10 AWG
- Jacket: Dark Red on Black Braid
- Standard Lengths: 1.5m, 2m, 2.5m, 3m – other lengths available to special order – please enquire
- Manufacturer's Warranty: 5 Years
- Learn more about AudioQuest
Note: Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE.