What we liked
- The audible improvements with each step up in the range
- The impeccable build quality
- The well-structured soundstage from the Pearl 48 onwards
We would have liked
- For certain models to have been more flexible
- More affordable pricing for the top-of-the-range models
Our expert’s opinion
Far from being a simple video vector, HDMI cables are now a central element of modern hi-fi systems, whether via the ARC/eARC channel for connected soundbars and receivers, or via the famous i2S link. Audioquest's 48 Gbps HDMI range is the perfect response to these new digital hi-fi needs, offering a perfectly hierarchical series. Each level in the range provides tangible sonic progress: greater clarity, a more open soundstage, better-controlled dynamics and increasingly nuanced timbres. The Pearl 48 lays a solid foundation, the Cinnamon 48 refines the soundstage and precision, the Carbon 48 makes the sound smoother, while the Vodka 48 achieves a rare balance between harmonic richness and naturalness. A clear demonstration that HDMI cables can now be just as important as a well-chosen analog cable.
For a long time confined to the world of home theater and video, HDMI cables are now a true hi-fi standard. Thanks to the HDMI ARC/eARC and HDMI i2S protocols, they can now be found on many high-end hi-fi amplifiers, network players and DACs. But are all HDMI cables the same? Does their quality have as much impact as with modulation cables? Find out in this review and comparison of the Audioquest HDMI 48 Gbps cable range.
HDMI ARC and eARC: the new hi-fi standard
Launched in 2009 with the HDMI 1.4 standard, the Audio Return Channel (ARC) was initially designed to simplify connections between a TV and an AV receiver or soundbar. Using a single cable, it sends the image of the video sources connected to the amp to the TV, while retrieving the audio from the same TV’s apps (Netflix, YouTube, etc.) or HDMI inputs (Blu-ray player, console, etc.).
With the arrival of HDMI 2.1, eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) further improves the formula by increasing the bandwidth dedicated to audio, enabling the transport of much heavier, uncompressed data streams in both directions (TV to AVR or soundbar and vice versa), as well as 3D formats such as Dolby Atmos or DTS:X. This makes eARC THE new standard for all TVs, AV receivers and soundbars. All devices communicate with each other and are displayed on the TV, which sometimes becomes the nerve center for both audio and video. Given the popularity and practicality of HDMI ARC/eARC ports, many hi-fi manufacturers are following suit by equipping their amplifiers, DACs and network players with them. They enable the TV to be used as a multimedia hub for accessing streaming platforms, but also to enjoy the sound of TV programs on the hi-fi system in the living room for even higher audio quality.
Read: What is HDMI ARC and eARC used for in 2025?
Audioquest 48 Gbps HDMI cables respond perfectly to these new needs, with conductors optimized for ARC/eARC channels thanks to the use of high-purity long-grain copper (LGC copper), selected for its low distortion and excellent conductivity. Each model benefits from rigorous shielding against interference, while the silver plating is progressively reinforced as the range increases. The silver plating is particularly useful for optimizing the transfer of the very high frequencies of Hi-Res signals, as they pass exclusively over the surface of the conductors. The table below details the technical characteristics of each reference in the Audioquest 48 HDMI range. For this test, we focused on the Pearl 48, Cinnamon 48, Carbon 48, Vodka 48 and Vodka eARC 48 models.
| Model | Conductors | Isolation | Price |
| Pearl 48 | LGC copper | Noise dissipation system with 19 controlled conductors | From €39 |
| Forest 48 | 0.5% silver-plated LGC copper | Noise dissipation system for each conductor + high-density polyethylene dielectric isolation | From €69 |
| Cinnamon 48 | 1.25% silver-plated LGC copper | Noise dissipation system for each conductor + metal strip and high-density polyethylene dielectric isolation | From €139 |
| Carbon 48 | 5% silver-plated LGC copper | Noise-dissipation system for each conductor + NDS technology + carbon and metal layer + high-density polyethylene dielectric isolation | From €179 |
| Vodka 48 eArc | 10% (audio) and 0.5% (video) silver-plated LGC copper | Ground with 5% silver for eARC conductors + noise-dissipation system for each conductor + NDS technology + carbon and metal layer + high-density polyethylene dielectric isolation | From €219 |
| Vodka 48 | 10% silver-plated LGC copper | Noise-dissipation system for each conductor + NDS technology + carbon and metal layer + high-density polyethylene dielectric isolation | From €449 |
| Thunderbird 48 eARC | 10% (audio) and 5% (video) silver-plated LGC copper | 10% silver-plated copper ground for eARC section + noise-dissipation system for each conductor + NDS technology + graphene-carbon layer + high-density polyethylene dielectric isolation | From €499 |
| Thunderbird 48 | 10% silver-plated LGC copper | 10% silver-plated copper ground for eARC section + noise-dissipation system for each conductor + NDS technology + graphene-carbon layer + high-density polyethylene dielectric isolation | From €759 |
Beyond their technical performance, Audioquest HDMI 48 cables are also distinguished by their premium, robust appearance. Each model benefits from a braided or smooth outer sheath, depending on the reference, with a simple, elegant finish that reflects the range’s degree of sophistication. The HDMI connectors are solidly machined, with gold-plated contacts to guarantee excellent mechanical strength and long-lasting resistance to oxidation.
The whole range inspires confidence from the outset: the high-end models feature firm, very rigid cables, which can sometimes complicate wiring. Each cable is also directionally marked to ensure optimal installation according to the signal flow direction, in accordance with the internal geometry chosen by Audioquest.
HDMI i2S: a no-compromise digital connection
The i2S (Inter-IC Sound) protocol is a digital communication standard developed by Philips in the 1980s. Unlike conventional connections such as S/PDIF or AES/EBU, which encapsulate clock and audio data in the same stream, i2S transmits audio signals separately from clock and synchronization signals. This decoupling reduces jitter, promotes more accurate playback of the PCM signal and avoids alignment errors that can affect micro details in the sound. The result is a better stereo image, more accurate timbre and a more precise sound.
But i2S was not originally designed to be transported outside a printed circuit board. Each manufacturer therefore had to develop its own transport solution. This is where a recent innovation comes in: using the rapidly expanding HDMI format to establish the i2S connection between a digital transport and an external DAC. Thanks to the extended bandwidth offered by the HDMI format, it is possible to efficiently transmit Hi-Res PCM and DSD audio streams, thereby overcoming the limitations of the optical or coaxial SPDIF standard.
Note from the expert
HDMI i2s connections do not have a universal standard. Each manufacturer may assign signals to different pins on the HDMI connector. It is therefore possible that a cable will not work with two different devices, unless an adapter or a cable with a pin layout designed specially for the devices you want to connect is used. For an HDMI i2s connection, it is therefore advisable to use two devices of the same brand. An increasing number of devices now allow HDMI i2S pins to be configured via internal menus, making compatibility more flexible.
Test conditions
For this test, we set up several hi-fi and home theater configurations. In hi-fi, we started with an HDMI i2S connection between the Cayin IDAP-8 network player and Cayin IDAC-8 DAC, both connected by various HDMI cables from the Audioquest 48 range. The DAC was then connected via XLR to the Cayin CS-150A tube amplifier, renowned for its neutrality and respect for timbres. With its triode and ultra-linear modes, it can also restore a little warmth (depending on personal tastes) to music that sounds too analytical. We listened to high-resolution files on Qobuz.
After this, we used the HDMI output of an Eversolo DMP-A6 player to play multichannel (5.1) DSD files on a Marantz AV receiver. The same amplifier was then used to test the eARC function in direct connection with an OLED TV, in order to evaluate the behavior of the cables in a typical home theater configuration. A FiiO S15 network player was also integrated into our hi-fi system to take advantage of eARC as the main stereo audio source.
Listening impressions
The entry-level Audioquest Pearl 48 cable first surprises with its overall performance, far superior to what you’d expect from an HDMI cable at this price. The i2S transmission is stable, with no audible errors and clean, balanced sound. Without being abyssal, the soundstage is correctly structured, voices are legible and instruments clearly localized, without the muffled or muddled effect sometimes observed with basic low-cost cables.
The Cinnamon 48 immediately stands out for its greater precision, with a more detailed and open reproduction. The soundstage unfolds with greater breadth and transparency, giving better representation of micro-details and clearer natural reverberations. Presence, instrument separation and clarity are enhanced. High frequencies are more prominent and better articulated. However, the sound may seem a little more digital, with bass that is slightly tauter, but less full-bodied.
Switching to the Carbon 48 takes things a step further, with ever better-defined contours and more stable spatial localization of instruments. The highs are controlled with an iron fist, with less artificial brightness and more fluidity. The sound is more poised, more linear, while still offering beautifully rich timbres. Where the Cinnamon impresses with its liveliness, the Carbon seduces with its coherence. It settles the listener into a listening experience that is deeper, not as showy, but much more accurate.
The Audioquest Vodka 48 cable confirms the value in moving up in the range, and its benefits are most apparent in the mids and lows. String instruments gain in density and substance, while brass instruments reveal highly nuanced textures, with a very natural grain. TThe perceived sound level seems to be a little higher, without compression or a sense of projection. The bass goes deeper, with more stability and density. The soundstage remains as wide as with the Cinnamon and Carbon 48, with great depth and a real sense of space between layers. On complex orchestral works such as Fauré’s Requiem or Mahler’s Symphony No. 5, the Vodka 48 maintains exemplary clarity, even when sections overlap and dynamics reach their peak. Each section remains distinct, the strings never encroach on the woodwinds or brass, and the whole composition is remarkably coherent, without any harshness or confusion.
Who are these cables for?
The Audioquest HDMI 48 range targets discerning users who want to get the most out of their installation, whether in a home theater or purely hi-fi setting with a latest-generation network player. Entry-level models like the Pearl 48 are ideal for those who want to make their eARC connection more reliable, or benefit from a first audible improvement with a connected soundbar or amp compared to a basic cable. Higher-end models such as the Cinnamon, Carbon and especially the Vodka 48 are aimed at audiophiles wishing to enhance an eARC or i2S connection between high-end hi-fi components. In these highly transparent configurations, every nuance counts: the cable doesn’t transform the source, but unleashes its full potential, ensuring a stable, precise, and unaltered signal transmission.
If you are skeptical about the real impact of an HDMI cable in a hi-fi or home theater system, you can come and hear it for yourself by testing these Audioquest cables in one of the 16 Son-Vidéo.com stores, accompanied by our advisors. You will be able to witness firsthand the improvements that a well-designed cable can bring to your system.
