AudioQuest Carbon 48 HDMI 2.1 Cable | The Grid HiFi
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AudioQuest Carbon 48 HDMI 2.1 Cable | The Grid HiFi
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Overview
AudioQuest Carbon 48 HDMI 2.1 Cable
Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable • 48Gbps Bandwidth • 8K/60Hz • 4K/120Hz • Solid 5% Silver-Plated Copper • Level 3 Noise-Dissipation • eARC
The AudioQuest Carbon 48 HDMI Cable is a certified 48Gbps Ultra High Speed HDMI 2.1 cable engineered for premium 4K and 8K home theater systems, high-resolution displays and gaming applications. Featuring solid 5% silver-plated Long-Grain Copper conductors, Level 3 Noise-Dissipation and direction-controlled construction, Carbon 48 combines full-bandwidth digital connectivity with AudioQuest's advanced RF noise-management technology.
Supporting 8K at 60Hz, 4K at 120Hz, Dynamic HDR, enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC), Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Quick Frame Transport (QFT), Carbon 48 is designed for modern televisions, projectors, AV processors, gaming consoles and digital media sources.
Certified 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 Performance
Carbon 48 is Ultra High Speed HDMI Certified, supporting the full 48Gbps bandwidth required for demanding HDMI 2.1 applications.
Four high-speed FRL signal pairs, each capable of 12Gbps, enable video transmission at 4K/120Hz and 8K/60Hz, with support for compatible professional video formats up to 10K.
The cable also supports Dynamic HDR and remains backward compatible with earlier HDMI equipment.
Solid 5% Silver-Plated Copper Conductors
AudioQuest Carbon 48 uses solid Long-Grain Copper conductors with 5% silver plating.
The solid-core design eliminates strand-to-strand interaction, while the substantial silver plating contributes to AudioQuest's approach to minimizing radio-frequency noise.
Carbon 48 represents a conductor upgrade over Cinnamon 48, which uses 1.25% silver plating, while maintaining the same certified 48Gbps HDMI bandwidth.
Level 3 Noise-Dissipation with Carbon Mesh-Network
Carbon 48 incorporates AudioQuest Level 3 Noise-Dissipation, featuring a high-loss carbon layer positioned between metal shielding layers surrounding the four high-speed FRL signal pairs and dedicated eARC conductors.
This construction is designed to dissipate radio-frequency interference traveling along HDMI connections between components.
All 19 HDMI conductors are direction-controlled, including audio/video signal pairs, ground-reference drains, control connections and power conductors.
The combination of solid conductors, silver plating and carbon-based shielding supports AudioQuest's comprehensive noise-management design.
Enhanced Audio Return Channel
Carbon 48 features a dedicated eARC conductor pair constructed with solid 5% silver-plated copper and Level 3 Noise-Dissipation.
Enhanced Audio Return Channel allows compatible televisions to transmit high-bitrate audio to AV receivers, soundbars and surround processors.
Supported formats can include Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio and lossless Dolby Atmos bitstreams, depending on the connected equipment and source material.
4K/120Hz Gaming and Reference Home Theater
Carbon 48 supports HDMI 2.1 gaming capabilities including 4K/120Hz, VRR, ALLM and QFT, making it suitable for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and compatible gaming PCs.
Its full 48Gbps bandwidth also supports UHD Blu-ray players, premium media streamers, AV receivers, video processors and high-resolution projectors.
For custom installations, Carbon 48 is available with a choice of braided and installation-rated jacket configurations, depending on cable length and regional availability.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | AudioQuest |
| Model | Carbon 48 |
| Product Type | Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable |
| HDMI Standard | HDMI 2.1 |
| Certification | Ultra High Speed HDMI Certified |
| Maximum Bandwidth | 48Gbps |
| Signal Architecture | Four 12Gbps High-Speed FRL Pairs |
| Video Resolution Support | 4K, 8K and Up to 10K |
| 4K Refresh Rate | Up to 120Hz |
| 8K Refresh Rate | Up to 60Hz |
| HDR Support | Dynamic HDR |
| Gaming Features | VRR, ALLM, QFT |
| Audio Return Channel | eARC |
| Conductor Material | Solid Long-Grain Copper |
| Conductor Plating | 5% Silver |
| Noise-Dissipation | AudioQuest Level 3 |
| Shielding Technology | High-Loss Carbon Mesh-Network and Metal Layers |
| Conductor Directionality | All 19 HDMI Conductors |
| eARC Conductors | Solid 5% Silver-Plated Copper |
| Connectors | HDMI Type A Male to HDMI Type A Male |
| Backward Compatibility | Earlier HDMI Standards |
| Available Lengths | 0.6m, 0.75m, 1m, 1.5m, 2m, 2.25m, 3m |
| Jacket Options | Carbon Braid, CMG (CL3/FT4) PVC |
| Applications | 4K/8K TVs, Projectors, Gaming Consoles, AV Receivers, Soundbars, Media Players |
AudioQuest Carbon 48 at The Grid HiFi
The Grid HiFi specializes in premium home theater, reference video systems, private cinema design and professional audio/video integration.
AudioQuest Carbon 48 provides certified HDMI 2.1 connectivity for high-performance televisions, projectors, gaming systems, surround processors and digital media sources.
Our team can help select the appropriate cable length, verify HDMI compatibility and engineer reliable connections throughout your entertainment system.
Whether upgrading a premium 4K display or designing a dedicated private cinema, The Grid HiFi provides expert component selection, system design and installation services.
Building a reference home theater or upgrading to HDMI 2.1? Call The Grid HiFi at (713) 218-8120 for expert cable selection and system integration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does AudioQuest Carbon 48 support 4K at 120Hz?
Yes. Carbon 48 supports 4K/120Hz and 8K/60Hz with compatible source devices and displays.
Is AudioQuest Carbon 48 HDMI 2.1 certified?
Yes. Carbon 48 is Ultra High Speed HDMI Certified and supports the full 48Gbps bandwidth.
Does Carbon 48 support Dolby Atmos?
Yes. Carbon 48 supports HDMI audio and eARC, including Dolby Atmos when the connected equipment and content support the format.
What is the difference between AudioQuest Carbon 48 and Cinnamon 48?
Both provide certified 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 bandwidth and Level 3 Noise-Dissipation. Carbon 48 uses solid 5% silver-plated copper conductors, while Cinnamon 48 uses 1.25% silver-plated copper.
Is Carbon 48 compatible with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X?
Yes. Carbon 48 supports HDMI 2.1 gaming features including 4K/120Hz, VRR and ALLM, subject to the capabilities of the connected console and display.
FAQs
Please read our FAQs page to find out more.
Do you price match?
Yes. We match any authorised dealer, including big-box retailers. If you find the same product at a lower price, contact us and we'll match it.
Do you offer free shipping?
Yes — free shipping on every order, with 2-day delivery available on most products. Easy returns and exchanges are included.
Where is your showroom?
We're at 6362 Alder Drive, Houston, Texas. The showroom lets you hear and compare reference-level systems in person before making any decisions. If you're considering a larger purchase or installation, it's well worth the visit.
Can I buy online without visiting the showroom?
Yes. The full product range is available through the online store with free nationwide shipping. For more complex system builds, speaking with one of our advisers first tends to lead to a better result.
Do you offer financing?
Yes. Special financing is available through the BrandSource Credit Card for qualifying purchases, allowing you to spread payments over time with no annual fee. Promotional rebate savings are also available periodically. See the financing page for full details.
Do you install systems as well as sell equipment?
Yes — installation is central to what we do. We design and install whole-home audio and video, home theaters, media rooms, outdoor audio, lighting and motorised shades, and full smart home automation.
Do you provide support after installation?
Yes. We provide ongoing service and support to ensure systems continue performing as intended — not just on installation day, but over the long term.