Audioquest Brave Heart Speaker Cable with Banana Plugs

The AudioQuest Brave Heart speaker cable is the successor to the highly regarded William Tell. While it retains part of the original design philosophy, it introduces significant technical and structural innovations, positioning it as a major upgrade within the AudioQuest lineup.

Designed as a gateway into the Mythical Creatures series, the Brave Heart combines advanced engineering with outstanding musical performance.

Design & Construction

The Brave Heart is slightly larger than the Lone Ranger, with an outer diameter of 14.1 mm per polarity, and features a physically separated positive and negative conductor design. This layout dramatically reduces noise and improves both precision and dynamic expression.

It benefits from AudioQuest ZERO-Tech technology, which provides a near-zero characteristic impedance. By eliminating impedance mismatches between the amplifier and the loudspeaker, energy flows more freely, resulting in a more natural, effortless and musically coherent sound.

Compared to its predecessor, the Brave Heart uses larger conductors, increasing from 2.62 mm² (William Tell) to 2.99 mm² of PSC+ copper, delivering lower impedance, a more linear frequency response regardless of speaker load, and greater overall authority.

A high-quality polypropylene dielectric is used to dissipate noise over a wider bandwidth while reducing distortion and preventing harshness. The outer jacket incorporates carbon-loaded PVC with a graphene layer, while 4% silver-plated drain wires further enhance RF noise dissipation.

Conductors

The AudioQuest Brave Heart uses solid-core conductors, eliminating strand interaction — a major source of dynamic distortion. These conductors are made exclusively from PSC+ (Perfect-Surface Copper Plus), AudioQuest’s purest copper, minimizing grain boundaries and the distortion they introduce.

Each conductor is insulated with air-filled expanded polyethylene, which absorbs virtually no energy and exhibits extremely low distortion. Direction-controlled conductors efficiently drain RF noise away from sensitive amplifier circuits, directing it where it can do the least harm.

Dielectric Bias System (DBS)

The Brave Heart features AudioQuest’s patented 72V Dielectric Bias System (DBS). Two wires embedded in the insulation are energized with ±72 volts supplied by a battery pack mounted on the cable.

Because no current flows and battery self-discharge is minimal, battery life extends over many years and replacement is simple. A test button with LED indicator allows easy battery status verification.

By actively polarizing the dielectric, DBS significantly reduces dielectric noise and linearizes RF noise dissipation across a wide frequency range, improving clarity, resolution and overall coherence.

Connectors

The Brave Heart is fitted with cold-welded banana connectors from AudioQuest’s Series 1000, silver-plated for ultra-low resistance and optimal signal transfer.

These connectors are made from extremely pure red copper, immersed directly in silver for superior plating quality. No ferrous metals are used, preventing RF noise induction and re-radiation. Each connector is clearly marked “Amp” and “Speaker” to ensure correct installation.

Listening Impressions

Build quality is flawless. The cables are flexible, easy to handle, and the connectors are robust and beautifully finished.

Sonically, the Brave Heart delivers powerful, deeply articulated bass with outstanding control. Noise levels are exceptionally low, allowing micro-details and harmonic nuances to emerge naturally.

The midrange is remarkably clear and expressive. Voices fill the room with ease and presence, while instruments sound larger, more realistic and dynamically alive. Percussive transients — snare drums, congas and impacts — are reproduced with striking realism.

High frequencies are silky, precise and energetic, yet completely free from aggression or distortion.

The soundstage is expansive, with impressive width, height and depth. Layering and spatial separation are outstanding, making it easy to follow individual musicians and instruments.

Overall, music feels more alive, more intense and more immersive. Dynamic contrast is realistic, and bass authority is both powerful and controlled.

The AudioQuest Brave Heart is an exceptional speaker cable, delivering superior resolution, texture and bass control. It surpasses the William Tell in every register and elevates a system from very good sound to truly exceptional performance.

With Brave Heart, AudioQuest proves that advanced technology and musicality can coexist seamlessly. This cable is a compelling entry point into the Mythical Creatures range — and a serious challenger to many established references.

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