The speaker cable model Type 4 was first introduced about 1983. It wasn’t the prettiest cable, but the performance advantage of its polypropylene insulation was dramatic and much appreciated. Several evolutionary steps later, the current version of Type 4 was introduced in 1995—a design whose foundation is so well balanced that it hasn’t changed since then—and still isn’t changing.

Types 9+DBS Low-Distortion & Low-Noise speaker cable is essentially Type 4 with better metal, added layers and techniques of Noise-Dissipation for more effective noise control and AQ's patented Dialectric-Bias System (DBS).

In addition, Type-9+DBS conductors are a little bigger than previous 4-series cables. The conductors are a little farther apart, reducing interaction between adjacent conductors by 35%.

high purity conductors - solid perfect-surface copper+ (PSC+)

Solid Perfect-Surface Copper+ (PSC+) conductors prevent strand interaction, a major source of ear fatiguing transient intermodulation distortion. The astonishingly smooth and pure Perfect-Surface Copper+ eliminates harshness and greatly increases clarity compared to OFHC, OCC, 8N and other premium coppers. The superior purity of PSC+ further minimises distortion caused by grain boundaries, which exist within any metal conductor. The astonishingly smooth and pure Perfect-Surface Copper further eliminates harshness and greatly increases clarity compared to OFHC, OCC, 8N and other premium coppers.

multi-layer carbon-based noise dissipation

Multi-Layer carbon-based Noise-Dissipation plus Direction-Controlled conductors and shielding significantly lower noise-floor and reduce amplifier Transient-Intermodulation Distortion (TIM).

72v dielectric-bias system with level-X radio-frequency trap (DBS)

All insulation is also a dielectric whose electrical properties affect the integrity of the signal. When the insulation is unbiased, dielectric-involvement (absorption and non-linear release of energy back into the signal flow) causes different amounts of time delay (phase shift) for different frequencies and energy levels, which is a significant problem for very time-sensitive multi-octave audio. AudioQuest’s multi-patented DBS creates a strong, stable electrostatic field that saturates and polarises (organises) the molecules of the insulation. This minimises the nonlinear time delays, resulting in clearer sound emerging from a “blacker” background. The Level-X RF Trap (a technology developed for AudioQuest’s Niagara Series of power products) in the DBS battery pack “pulls” RF Noise out of the cable, preventing RF from infiltrating the electronics. DBS Pack batteries last about 10 years. Use the test button to verify condition.

solid conductors

Eliminate harshness and confusion due to strand-interaction.

star-quad geometry

Balanced Star-Quad Geometry reduces time-smearing while preserving dynamics, and clarity.