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XLR Pair

AudioQuest FireBird 2 XLR to 2 XLR Audio Cable Pair

As low as £5,099.00 £4,249.17
SKU
AQ FireBird XLR
Lifetime
New
5 - 7 days
what's this?

Select the desired length for your cable from the drop-down menu.

what's this?
SPEAKER CABLES:

A quantity of 2 means you will receive a pair of speaker cables e.g. for your front left and front right speakers. By entering a quantity of 1, you will get a cable for a single speaker e.g. centre speaker and this option also enables you to vary the length (and termination) of your cable for each speaker.

OTHER CABLES:

A quantity of 1 means you will receive a single cable in the case of aerial, satellite, subwoofer, digital coaxial & optical cables and a pair of cables in the case of 2 rca to 2 rca analogue audio cables.

NON-CABLE PRODUCTS:

A quantity of 1 means you will receive 1 of the specified products.

Available

Need help? Call us on 0800 772 3688 or 0208 905 1555

Prefer email? Contact us via sales@futureshop.co.uk

The FireBird features a similar construction to the ThunderBird, but introduces pure Perfect Surface Silver to deliver even more information, and also features silver-plated barrels on the bespoke connectors to maximise their potential to drain RF away from the plug due to silver's lower impedance. The XLR cable features three totally isolated conductors in their own dielectric, insulation and braid.

AudioQuest FireBird 2 XLR to 2 XLR Audio Cable Pair

 

The FireBird features a similar construction to the ThunderBird, but introduces pure Perfect Surface Silver to deliver even more information, and also features silver-plated barrels on the bespoke connectors to maximise their potential to drain RF away from the plug due to silver's lower impedance. The XLR cable features three totally isolated conductors in their own dielectric, insulation and braid.

 

What AudioQuest say

Mythical Creature Analog Interconnects

ThunderBird, FireBird, and Dragon are AudioQuest’s best-sounding, most sonically invisible interconnects yet — category-defining products that establish new benchmarks of transparency and musical pleasure, bringing us significantly closer than ever to our sonic ideal of completely invisible cable.

The Never-Ending Quest

AudioQuest’s 42-year history of designing and refining analog interconnects has been a long, steady climb up a mountain, the summit of which can never be reached…

But with each step, they have arrived at cleaner, clearer, more naturally detailed and beautiful sound. For the most part, improvements in performance have been incremental — small steps, always in the right direction — but, just a few times along our 42-year path, new materials and/or technologies have brought so much improvement that it’s as though we took a chairlift to at least the next base station.

The Mythical Creature interconnects are that important.

ZERO-Tech: Unprecedented RF Noise-Dissipation

Most of the credit for passing so much more information than AudioQuest’s previous generation of state-of-the-art cables — and even more importantly, so much less misinformation (energy in the wrong place and time) — goes to ZERO-Tech (No Characteristic-Impedance) dramatically improving RF Noise-Dissipation and significantly further reducing dielectric-involvement (electrical interaction with insulation).

This enables more of the nuance that makes music so engaging, moving, and human: more fully realized tonal expression with more newly un-masked low-level detail revealed than ever before, more relaxing and stimulating at the same time, more palpable and engaging than previously possible.

Optimized Performance and Flexibility

For over 40 years, AudioQuest’s interconnects have been Double-Balanced (RCA) or Triple-Balanced (XLR) to prevent the shield from being used as an inferior ground-reference conductor.

The Mythical Creature Interconnects make the multiple discrete signal and ground-reference paths externally visible for the first time — but that is not new technology. It is because the more complicated and optimized implementation of ZERO-Tech would have made the cables stiff and unfriendly if all hidden in a single round jacket.

The extra effort of creating multiple constructions results in some of the most flexible interconnects AudioQuest has ever made.

Carbon/Graphene/Carbon Mesh-Network

Performance-damaging Radio-Frequency (RF) Noise is more pervasive today than ever before. Therefore, the Mythical Creature Interconnects apply more sophisticated Noise-Dissipation technologies than ever before.

In addition to AQ’s universally applied fundamental of controlling conductor direction to direct induced RF to where it will do the least harm, and ZERO-Tech, Mythical Creature Interconnects also employ a carbon & graphene resistive mesh-network, 72v DBS, and thickly Silver-Plated shield-drains (Dragon’s drains are 100% PSS-Silver), greatly minimizing RF Noise getting into active circuits and causing masking effects.

Beautiful Form and Function

The sheer beauty of Mythicals’ bespoke RCA plugs is the happy result of a technical performance imperative. In order to maximize the plug barrel’s ability to drain RF Noise, minimizing any possible coupling of RF Noise into the cable, the barrels are plated for maximum RF conductivity.

For ThunderBird, this entails optimized copper plating underneath an automotive-type clear coat. For FireBird and Dragon, silver does an even better job thanks to silver’s significantly lower impedance at RF frequencies (as compared to at audio frequencies where the impedance difference is trivial).

All Mythical plug contacts use superior Hanging-Silver (not tumbled) directly over extreme-purity Red Copper. Cold-welded connections prevent distortion that would be introduced by solder or even resistance-welding.

Most Important: The Existing Foundation

AudioQuest are justifiably very proud of all the new and very significant ingredients applied in the Mythical Creature Interconnects. However, as with an amazing new skyscraper, the building is only as strong and effective as its foundation.

By 1981, AudioQuest was already making Double-Balanced cables using Teflon+Air dielectrics — even employing ZERO-Tech, though they didn’t understand at the time how to maximize the technology. Way back in the last century, direction-controlled conductors using then state-of-the-art metals, patented Air-HyperLitz conductors, and other materials and technologies paved the way to today’s Mythical interconnects.

In reference to the opening comment about climbing a mountain: they might never reach the mountain’s summit — perfect cable might never be possible — but are still very proud to be significantly closer than ever before.

As always, they invite you to listen for yourself, and thank you for joining them on the journey.

 

FireBird

FireBird may sit in the middle of the Mythical Creatures family, but there’s no Middle-Child Syndrome to be found here. This cable is a beautiful destination in its own right, drawing remarkably close to the otherworldly performance of the Dragon flagship but at a much lower cost.

Like ThunderBird, FireBird features ZERO-Tech, FEP Air-Tube insulation, and Level-6 Noise-Dissipation, but ups the ante with the finest conductor metal — Perfect Surface Silver (PSS) — and drop-dead gorgeous Silver-Plated RF-Draining Barrels.

All Mythical Creature interconnects are available with custom-made RCA and XLR terminations.

 

Features

ZERO-Tech (No Characteristic Impedance) for Linear, Wide-Bandwidth Noise-Dissipation

The only way to avoid characteristic-impedance mismatch-effects between a cable and its attached source and load circuits is to prevent the cable from having a characteristic-impedance. ZERO-Tech succeeds by eliminating the electrostatic field between the cable’s high and low signal conductors, enabling linear (consistent octave to octave) Radio-Frequency (RF) Noise-Dissipation, and uncompressed transients. In order to preserve ZERO-Tech’s complete isolation between signal conductors, a Dual-72v DBS pack is included for XLR cables.

Solid Perfect-Surface Copper+ (PSC+) Conductors

Solid conductors prevent electrical and magnetic strand-interaction. PSC+ Solid-Copper minimizes distortion caused by grain boundaries and maximizes linear RF Noise-Dissipation.

FEP Air-Tube Dielectric

Positive conductors benefit from almost no contact between metal and its FEP insulation, which is notable for its superior dielectric constant and minimal signal interference. Negative conductors benefit from intentionally “lossy insulation” — no air and no FEP helps maximize the negative connection’s different job.

72v Dielectric-Bias System (DBS)

Insulation is also a dielectric that can act like a shunt-filter. Biasing minimizes dielectric-noise and linearizes the filter, significantly improving wide-bandwidth dissipation of induced RF noise.

Level 6 Noise-Dissipation: ZERO-Tech + 72v DBS + Carbon/Graphene Mesh-Network + Direction-Controlled

Radio-Frequency Noise from cellular, WiFi, and satellites is everywhere. AQ’s Level 6 Linear Noise-Dissipation includes a carbon & graphene resistive mesh-network, direction-controlled conductors, 72v DBS, and Silver-Plated drain wires, significantly minimizing RF Noise masking effects.

Hanging-Silver over Red-Copper Plugs

AudioQuest’s finest plugs feature superior Hanging-Silver (not tumbled) directly over extreme-purity Red Copper.

Silver-Plated RF-Draining Barrels

Grounded Silver-Plated Barrels maximize Noise-Dissipation by preventing a metal barrel from capacitively coupling RF to the conductors.

 

 

Specification

  • Signal-Conducting Metal: Solid Perfect-Surface Silver
  • RF-Draining Metal: Solid Silver-Plated Copper
  • Geometry: ZERO-Tech (No Characteristic Impedance)
  • Dielectric: FEP Air-Tubes for minimal signal interference
  • Dielectric-Bias System: ◉◉ 72v DBS (XLR)
  • Level 6 Noise-Dissipation: ZERO-Tech + 72v DBS + Carbon/Graphene Mesh-Network + Direction-Controlled
  • Plug Barrels: Silver-Plated RF-Draining
  • Plug Contacts: Hanging-Silver over Red-Copper

 

About AudioQuest

AudioQuest aims to deliver the most beautiful, durable, and reliable audio/video cables and accessories on the planet, products that don’t only represent the absolute highest value but also exceed any expectations regarding performance. AudioQuest is a premier provider of high-performance audio video cables and accessories sold in hundreds of outlets in the USA, Europe and in over sixty countries. AudioQuest’s products represent both extraordinary value and exceptional performance.

 

  • Signal-Conducting Metal: Solid Perfect-Surface Silver
  • RF-Draining Metal: Solid Silver-Plated Copper
  • Geometry: ZERO-Tech (No Characteristic Impedance)
  • Dielectric: FEP Air-Tubes for minimal signal interference
  • Dielectric-Bias System: ◉◉ 72v DBS (XLR)
  • Level 6 Noise-Dissipation: ZERO-Tech + 72v DBS + Carbon/Graphene Mesh-Network + Direction-Controlled
  • Plug Barrels: Silver-Plated RF-Draining
  • Plug Contacts: Hanging-Silver over Red-Copper

UK Delivery

 

1. We use Royal Mail 1st Class Services as a Standard Postage Option

Orders received before 4.30pm Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) are usually dispatched the same day by FIRST CLASS post (unless premium postal or timed courier services are selected), subject to stock availability. Over 98% of our orders are usually delivered the next working day including Saturdays.

Standard delivery is usually within 2-3 working days, although 98% of all orders are delivered the next working day including Saturdays . In extreme cases, such as delivery to the Highlands and Islands, this may take 3 days.

All items are fully insured and come with an invoice from Futureshop.co.uk. We use the Royal Mail for delivery of small packages and DPD or Interlink Express for items that weigh over 2KG. Items over 2KG are fully insured and will usually be delivered within 48 hours of placing your order Monday to Friday subject to stock availability. For International orders, we use FedEx Services where customers have selected this option.

Please note, special orders for non-standard cable lengths or custom-made cables may be subject to longer delivery time-scales. This may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

We offer 'Free UK delivery on orders over £99' subject to the following terms & conditions:

  • Applies only to orders with £99 or more of items (including VAT at the UK rate), at FutureShop.co.uk
  • Free Delivery on orders over £99 utilises Royal Mail First Class postal service for items weighing under 2KG. For items weighing over 2KG, we use DPD next working day services which deliver from 9.00am to 6pm within mainland UK (excludes Royal Mail Special Delivery Services and timed next day delivery services by UK Mail).
  • Applies only to deliveries to addresses within mainland UK and Northern Ireland addresses. Applies only to orders that are to be delivered to a single Mainland UK delivery address.
  • You will not be eligible for free delivery on your order if any items are cancelled or returned for a refund, bringing the total order amount below £99. Where items are returned, the refund due will be the cost of the item less any postage costs.
  • We reserve the right to change or discontinue 'Free delivery on orders over £99 promotion at any time.
  • FREE DELIVERY FOR ORDERS OVER £99 OFFER DOES NOT APPLY TO TRADE CUSTOMERS.

Free Delivery on orders over £99 utilises Royal Mail First Class postal service for items weighing under 2KG. For items weighing over 2KG, we use DPD or Interlink Express next working day services which deliver from 9.00am to 6pm within mainland UK.

Free Delivery for orders over £99 excludes Royal Mail Special Delivery Services and timed next day delivery services by DPD or Interlink Express.

 

Royal Mail 1st Class Shipping DPD Next Day Delivery

 

2. Special Delivery UK - Guaranteed Next Working Day

We have 99.9% of the UK covered With Royal Mail Next Day Special Delivery. We guarantee delivery to most UK addresses by 1pm the next working day. This includes Northern Ireland, Jersey and Guernsey. Some places take longer to deliver to but we still guarantee delivery within three working days by 5.30 PM.

For the Next Day Special Delivery service, orders must be received by futureshop.co.uk by 4.30pm weekdays. Orders after the 4.30pm deadline cannot be guaranteed for same day dispatch.

Please note, Royal Mail Special Delivery for next working day may not be possible where non-standard cable lengths are ordered. If this is the case, the item will be shipped via The Royal Mail Special Delivery service as soon as the cable is custom made.

For orders weighing over 2KG, we reserve the right to ship items using Next Day Pre-Noon Courier Services where Royal Mail Special Delivery option has been selected.

 

Royal Mail Special Next Working Day Delivery

 

3. Channel Islands & Northern Ireland

We accept orders from all Channel Islands including Alderney, Jersey, Guernsey and Sark. Unless you select a premium service, Items weighing under 2KG are delivered using our standard UK delivery option above. For items weighing over 2KG, a surcharge may be applied for all deliveries to the Channel Islands as well as Northern Ireland.

 

European Countries

Deliveries to EU member states are subject to 20% VAT. We offer the following shipping services:

  • Royal Mail First Class International Untracked Airmail Services - Items are usually delivered within 10 working days.
  • Royal Mail First Class International Tracked Airmail Services - Items are usually delivered within 3 to 7 working days.
  • DHL Express International - Items are usually delivered within 24 to 48 hours. DHL orders must be received by 3:30pm for next day service to most destinations in Europe
  • Federal Express International Priority - Items are usually delivered within 24 to 48 hours. FedEx orders must be received by 3.00pm for next day service to most destinations in Europe
  • Federal Express International Economy - Item are usually delivered within 48 to 72 hours

 

Royal Mail International DeliveryRoyal Mail International Tracked DeliveryFedEX Express Economy International DeliveryFedEX Express Priority International DeliveryDHL Worldwide Express International DeliveryDHL Econmy Select International Delivery

 

Worldwide - Excluding UK & Europe

Deliveries outside of the EU are not subject to 20% VAT and so the 20% tax on items is automatically deducted when you login or register.
We offer the following shipping services:

  • Royal Mail First Class International Untracked Airmail Services - Items are usually delivered within 15 working days.
  • Royal Mail First Class International Tracked Airmail - Items are usually delivered within 10-15 working days.
  • DHL Express International - Items are usually delivered within 48 hours. DHL orders must be received by 3:30pm in order to ship items the same day, subject to stock availability.
  • Federal Express International Priority - Items are usually delivered within 48 hours. FedEx orders must be received by 3.00pm in order to ship items the same day, subject to stock availability.

Where the actual weight of the package significantly exceeds the shipping cost charged on orders, we may write to you for an additional shipping charge. For larger orders, items may be shipped in multiple packets.

 

Royal Mail International DeliveryRoyal Mail International Tracked DeliveryFedEX Express Economy International DeliveryFedEX Express Priority International DeliveryDHL Worldwide Express International DeliveryDHL Econmy Select International Delivery

 

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