AudioQuest ThunderBird 48 HDMI 2.1 Cable | The Grid HiFi
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AudioQuest ThunderBird 48 HDMI 2.1 Cable | The Grid HiFi
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Overview
AudioQuest ThunderBird 48 HDMI Cable
Ultra High Speed HDMI 2.1 • 48Gbps Bandwidth • 8K/10K Video • 4K at 120Hz • Solid 10% Silver-Plated Conductors • Level 5 Noise-Dissipation • eARC
The AudioQuest ThunderBird 48 HDMI Cable is a premium 48Gbps Ultra High Speed HDMI 2.1 cable engineered for reference home theater, 8K displays, 4K projectors, gaming systems and high-performance audio/video installations. Featuring solid 10% silver-plated copper conductors, Level 5 Noise-Dissipation with graphene and carbon shielding, and direction-controlled construction, ThunderBird 48 combines full-bandwidth HDMI transmission with AudioQuest's advanced radio-frequency noise management.
Certified Ultra High Speed by HDMI Licensing, ThunderBird 48 supports 4K at 120Hz, 8K video, up to 10K resolution, Dynamic HDR, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), Quick Frame Transport (QFT) and enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) with compatible equipment.
Solid 10% Silver-Plated Copper Conductors
ThunderBird 48 uses solid Long-Grain Copper (LGC) conductors with 10% silver plating. Its solid-core construction eliminates strand-to-strand interaction, while the silver-plated surfaces provide high conductivity for high-frequency signal transmission.
AudioQuest also uses 10% silver-plated ground-reference drains as part of its noise-dissipation architecture.
Level 5 Noise-Dissipation with Graphene
AudioQuest's Level 5 Noise-Dissipation system incorporates high-loss carbon and graphene layers to reduce radio-frequency interference.
A graphene-enhanced carbon layer is positioned within the shielding surrounding the four high-speed FRL pairs and eARC conductors. An additional carbon layer surrounds the cable's conductors to manage RF noise across the entire assembly.
All 19 HDMI conductors, including audio/video signals, ground-reference drains, control and power connections, are incorporated into the cable's direction-controlled noise-management design.
48Gbps HDMI 2.1 and Ultra High Speed Certification
ThunderBird 48 provides the full 48Gbps bandwidth of Ultra High Speed HDMI, using four high-speed signal pairs capable of 12Gbps each.
This supports demanding video formats, including high-frame-rate 4K gaming and high-resolution HDR content, while maintaining backward compatibility with existing HDMI equipment.
Its Ultra High Speed HDMI certification verifies compliance with the applicable cable performance requirements.
eARC for High-Resolution Home Theater Audio
The ThunderBird 48 includes a dedicated eARC conductor pair featuring solid 10% silver-plated conductors and Level 5 Noise-Dissipation.
Enhanced Audio Return Channel allows compatible televisions and audio systems to transmit high-bitrate audio formats, including Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio and lossless immersive audio bitstreams where supported by the connected equipment.
This makes ThunderBird 48 suitable for premium AV receivers, surround processors, televisions and sound systems.
4K Gaming and Advanced HDR Video
ThunderBird 48 supports HDMI 2.1 gaming features including 4K/120Hz, VRR, ALLM and QFT when supported by the source and display.
Its bandwidth also accommodates Dynamic HDR formats and high-resolution video from compatible devices, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, gaming PCs, UHD Blu-ray players and premium media servers.
For reference cinema systems, the cable provides the digital bandwidth required by compatible 4K projectors, video processors and AV components.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | AudioQuest |
| Model | ThunderBird 48 |
| Product Type | Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable |
| HDMI Standard | HDMI 2.1 |
| Certification | Ultra High Speed HDMI Certified |
| Maximum Bandwidth | 48Gbps |
| High-Speed Signal Architecture | Four 12Gbps FRL Pairs |
| Video Resolution Support | 4K, 8K and Up to 10K |
| High-Frame-Rate Video | 4K at 120Hz |
| HDR Support | Dynamic HDR, Equipment Dependent |
| Gaming Features | VRR, ALLM, QFT |
| Audio Return Channel | eARC |
| Conductor Material | Solid Long-Grain Copper (LGC) |
| Conductor Plating | 10% Silver |
| Ground-Reference Drains | 10% Silver-Plated |
| Noise-Dissipation | AudioQuest Level 5 |
| Shielding Materials | Graphene, High-Loss Carbon and Metal Layers |
| Conductor Directionality | Direction-Controlled |
| HDMI Conductors | 19 |
| Connector Type | HDMI Type A Male to HDMI Type A Male |
| Backward Compatibility | Compatible with Earlier HDMI Standards |
| Standard Lengths | 0.6m, 0.75m, 1m, 1.5m, 2m, 2.25m, 3m |
| Exterior Jacket Options | Blue Braid; CMG (CL3/FT4) PVC |
| Primary Applications | Home Theater, 4K/8K Displays, Projectors, Gaming, eARC, UHD Blu-ray |
AudioQuest ThunderBird 48 at The Grid HiFi
The Grid HiFi specializes in reference home theater, private cinema design, high-performance projection and premium audio/video system integration.
ThunderBird 48 is an appropriate choice for systems using high-bandwidth HDMI connections between premium televisions, projectors, surround processors, AV receivers, UHD Blu-ray players, gaming consoles and movie servers.
Our team can help determine the correct HDMI cable length, signal routing and installation requirements for equipment from Sony, JVC, Epson, Barco, Trinnov, StormAudio, madVR, Kaleidescape and other premium manufacturers.
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.
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.