AudioQuest PowerQuest 3 Power Conditioner

Two Filters and Eight Outlets, Built to Hide

The AudioQuest PowerQuest 3 is a slim eight-outlet power conditioner for systems where a full-width rack unit would be overkill. It carries two noise filters, non-sacrificial surge protection and four USB charging ports. A detachable base lets it stand behind furniture or lie flat on a shelf.

AudioQuest says home AC runs on century-old technology, built for light bulbs and motors. Its testing found that up to a third of a high-resolution signal can be lost or masked by noise on the line. Wi-Fi, dimmers and LED bulbs make it worse.

Eight outlets split by job. Two High-Current outlets handle soundbars, powered speakers or subwoofers. Six linear-filtered outlets serve a TV, streamer, DAC, router and other source or network gear. Four high-speed USB-A ports deliver up to 4.8 amps in total. They charge phones, tablets and remotes without a wall adapter, so the power stays in one place.

Why Two Kinds of Filtering Beat One

Noise reaches your gear two ways. Differential-mode noise rides between hot and neutral. Common-mode noise rides on both conductors together. The PQ-3 runs a 30kHz to 1GHz differential-mode filter and a 30kHz to 100MHz common-mode filter. Both are rated at more than 22dB of linear noise dissipation.

Most surge protectors are sacrificial. After a big surge the parts are used up, though the unit still passes power. The PQ-3 is rated to withstand repeated 6,000V and 3,000A surges without wearing out, with an unlimited joule rating.

Extreme Voltage Shutdown adds a second layer. If incoming voltage goes above 140VAC, the unit shuts down. It resets on its own once power is safe. Signal-line protection covers cable and satellite TV.

The PQ-3 is rated for 15 amps RMS at 120V. It measures 3.2 by 15.5 by 7.4 inches. The included 2-meter AudioQuest power cable has a flat-to-wall plug for tight installations.

Who Is This Power Conditioner Best For?

• You have a compact system. A two-channel setup or home theater gets serious filtering without a full-width rack unit
• You want both filters in one box. Differential and common-mode filtering together tackle the two most common kinds of AC noise
• You want to hide the hardware. The base stands it behind a cabinet or TV, and it lies flat on a shelf, with every outlet still reachable
• You charge small devices nearby. Four USB-A ports with 4.8 amps in total keep phones and tablets off the wall adapters
• You have a large rack with several hungry amplifiers — the PQ-3 has eight outlets, two of them High-Current. A bigger system is better served by a full-width model in our power conditioners collection

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Plug the included 2-meter cable into a wall outlet. Put soundbars, powered speakers and subwoofers in the two High-Current outlets. Put your TV, streamer, DAC, router and other source gear in the six filtered outlets.

Use the base to stand the unit upright behind furniture or cabinetry. Remove it to lie the unit flat on a shelf. All outlets stay accessible either way. The USB-A ports handle phones, tablets and remotes.

Plug in, hide it, forget it.

Pairs Well With

Building your system? Here are some great companions for the AudioQuest PowerQuest 3:

• Power cables if you want to go beyond the included cable
• Home theater receivers for the High-Current outlets
• Music streamers for the filtered outlets
• Powered speakers that suit the High-Current outlets

Frequently Asked Questions

Which outlets do I use for what?

Use the two High-Current outlets for soundbars, powered speakers, subwoofers or integrated amps. Use the linear-filtered outlets for your TV, streamer, DAC, CD player, preamp, router or other source and network gear.

What does common-mode filtering add?

It handles noise that rides on both conductors together. Differential-mode filtering handles noise between hot and neutral. The PQ-3 has both, so it covers the two most common kinds of AC noise on modern lines.

Is the surge protection guaranteed?

The surge protection is rated to withstand repeated 6,000V and 3,000A surges without needing replacement. Extreme Voltage Shutdown opens the main relay in under a quarter second above 140VAC.

Where can I install it?

Behind furniture, cabinetry or a TV stand with the detachable base on, standing upright. Or flat on a shelf with the base off. The flat-to-wall plug lets it sit close to the outlet.

What comes in the box?

You get the PowerQuest 3, the detachable base, and a 2-meter AudioQuest power cable with a flat-to-wall plug. The owner's manual and warranty documentation are included too.

What's the warranty?

AudioQuest lists a five-year limited warranty for the PowerQuest 3, for the original purchaser in the USA, Canada and Puerto Rico. It covers defects in design, assembly, material and workmanship.

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Learn More

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