Reviewing a subwoofer cable might sound like the final frontier of audio geekery, but here we are diving into the AudioQuest Rocket 88 REL subwoofer cable, a beautifully built, made-to-order piece of gear aimed squarely at high-performance systems. But let’s get something out of the way up front: no cable, no matter how exotic, can replace the presence of a subwoofer. And that’s exactly the challenge I ran into.
A High-End Cable Built to Impress
This isn't a theory lab test. My system includes two REL № 31 subwoofers in support of Bowers & Wilkins 802 loudspeakers. The subs are tied with REL Blue cables as my current reference. The system is in an acoustically treated listening room with carefully dialed-in speaker and sub placement.
For this test, I could only use the Rocket 88 REL on one of the REL subs which meant removing one from the system entirely. Not ideal, but it set the stage for a very real-world test: how much does the cable matter when you're down a whole subwoofer?
What's in the Rocket 88 REL Recipe? AudioQuest brings some serious engineering to this cable. There are eight conductors for better noise rejection, carbon-infused insulation around the negative leg to reduce RF, Spread Spectrum Technology to minimise interference, AudioQuest’s 500 Series connectors that are fully hand-terminated, and the package is wrapped in a tight mesh outer jacket for durability. The Rocket 88 REL is made-to-order.
On paper, this cable is engineered to a fault and that’s not a bad thing. But let’s dig into the real-world experience. The build quality is top tier with one small caveat. No question – this is a luxury-level cable. The materials feel premium, the connectors are solid, and the entire assembly feels like it will outlive most audio components it’s connected to.
However, my review sample’s connectors are the same colour. The individual cables are wrapped in a black mesh that makes identification difficult. Especially in low light. For anyone who's colourblind (or just human), this can become an annoying obstacle. A simple coloured heat shrink, tag, or contrasting sleeve would go a long way. That aside, in terms of build quality, I give it a 10/10.
[Editor – Subsequent enquiries with the Australian distributor revealed that the review sample’s connectors had been mistakenly terminated with identical-coloured RCA sleeves for both polarities. Barring that isolated error, the cable was faultless and met all specifications.]
Listening Sessions
Let’s be honest, cables don’t sound like anything. They preserve or degrade the signal. What I did notice was the difference of removing one REL № 31 from my dual-sub setup. So, I tested the Rocket 88 REL cable using just one sub, while my reference REL Blue cables were left on standby with the other sub disconnected. This wasn't ideal, but it reinforced the obvious: The absence of a subwoofer made a far bigger difference than swapping a cable. To assess the cable’s contribution, I played a few familiar tracks that test sub extension and musical drive.
On Incubus’ “Are You In?”, the kick and bass guitar interplay had real depth and bounce. With just one REL sub, the sound lost some of the enveloping pressure I’m used to, of course, but the Rocket 88 conveyed the clean low-end with no detectable hum, blurring, or sluggishness. It did its job quietly.
Def Leppard’s “Love Bites” is a classic track with sweeping dynamics and low-level textures. The Rocket 88 maintained the clarity of the kick and low synths, while on Infected Mushroom’s “Becoming Insane” from the album Vicious Delicious was bass-heavy electronic chaos. As it should be. Talking fast transients and lots of low-frequency layering. The Rocket 88 had no problem keeping up, but so did the REL Blue cable, which costs significantly less.
The Real REL Takeaway
Here’s what this test made perfectly clear. Removing one subwoofer created a larger, more noticeable sonic shift than upgrading to the Rocket 88 REL. That’s not a knock against the AudioQuest. In fact, it’s a testament to how much more important speaker and sub configuration is than cabling at this level. The Rocket 88 REL didn’t degrade anything. It performed with total integrity, keeping signal clean and consistent. But it also didn’t introduce new magic.
If you're already running a full-range system with multiple high-end subs and the room to support them, a premium cable like the Rocket 88 REL may offer peace of mind, especially in noisy or complex electrical environments. But will it transform your bass? No. Not on its own.
Comparing it to the REL Blue cable shows that it’s no slouch. REL Blue is also well-built, well-shielded, and made specifically for the same REL full-signal input method. In direct comparison, the Rocket 88REL did not reveal obvious sonic advantages in my treated room with one subwoofer running.
That’s not a knock. It’s actually a compliment to both cable designs. But it’s worth noting: the diminishing returns for subwoofer-dedicated cables at this price point are very real.
Who is the Rocket 88 REL cable for? Well, it’s clearly aimed at listeners who have already taken their system just about as far as it can go. The kind of setup where the gear is dialed in, the room is treated, and the details matter. If you’re chasing absolute signal purity, minimising interference, and building a system designed to last for decades without compromise, the Rocket 88 REL fits right in. It also appeals to those who appreciate craftsmanship as much as performance because, make no mistake, this cable is built, looks, and feels as premium as its price tag suggests.
In more modest systems, or where the total budget is tight, the monetary investment could possibly bring more value if applied to electronics, or transducers, or room acoustics treatment. In short, the Rocket 88 REL is for those refining perfection, not chasing it from scratch.
There’s also no denying that, like all the AudioQuest product portfolio, the Rocket 88 REL is a superbly crafted and engineered cable product. It is built to perform reliably for decades, and for that alone, it earns high marks.
This cable isn’t about night-and-day sonic transformation. It’s about long-term system integrity, reliability, and engineering pride. If you’ve already got a highly resolving system and want peace of mind that your sub signal is handled without compromise, then the Rocket 88 delivers.
Conclusion
The AudioQuest Rocket 88 REL subwoofer cable is a beautiful, overbuilt example of cable design that delivers what it promises: signal integrity, noise rejection, and durability. For systems where every single component is maximised, and every link in the chain matters, this cable fits right in.
However, don’t expect a ‘chalk and cheese’ revolution. If your system is already humming along with well-made cables (in my case, the REL Blue), the difference here will be marginal in terms of sound quality, especially in typical room conditions and common cable lengths.
For those who value built-like-a-tank precision, craftsmanship, and longevity over hype, the Rocket 88 REL is a worthy investment. Just be ready to pay a premium for what is, at its core, a cable that does its job with understated excellence. It’s made for refined systems where every link counts. Just remember that it's just part of the chain and the magic lies in the whole.
… Barry James Johnston
www.soundstageaustralia.com
Associated Equipment
- Speakers — Bowers and Wilkins Nautilus 802, Yamaha NS1000 – 2 Pairs – Modified, KEF LSX, REL HT1205 x 2, JBL 4328 LSR, Sony subwoofer, 2 x REL Acoustics No.31 subwoofers
- Amplifier — Mark Levinson No.531H Monoblocks, Quad 606 Power amp, Sansui AU555 Integrated
- Preamplifier — PrimaLuna EVO 400
- Sources — Digital: Gryphon Scorpio, Metronome Technologie Le Player 4+, Simaudio Moon HAD230, Marantz PMD-340, (MacBook Pro 15 - Audirvana, Tidal, Spotify) Sony PHA3, Sony NW ZX2, Sony PCM2600
- Analogue: Marantz TT-15S1, Clearaudio Satisfy Tonearm, Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood MKII, Whest P.20, LINN LP12, Stax UA7CF Tonearm, Audio Technica LPW40WN
- Cables — Nordost Frey, inakustik Exzellenz Balanced interconnect, Isotek IEC, various custom interconnects
- Audio Rack — Custom – Noizy Head, Noizy Head custom iso platforms
- Miscellaneous — Audio Technica AT-AWAS, Focal Listen, Audio Technica MSR7, Mac Pro, Focusrite Scarlett 18i20, Vicoustic room treatment, and various supporting cast
AudioQuest Rocket 88 REL Subwoofer Cable
Price: Starting at AU$1279 3m Single Cable
Australian Warranty: Limited Lifetime
Australian Distributor: Advance Audio Australia
+61 2 9561 0799
www.advanceaudio.com.au
AudioQuest
2621 White Road, Irvine
California
United States of America
+1 949 790 6000
www.audioquest.com
