What You Need to Know
The AC power in your home runs on 100-year-old technology. It was built for light bulbs and motors, not for today’s audio and video gear. Modern noise from WiFi, dimmer switches, and LED bulbs makes it worse — yours and your neighbors’.
AudioQuest has measured what this does. Up to a third of a high-resolution audio signal can be lost or covered up by AC noise before it reaches your speakers. Once that detail is gone, it’s gone for good.
In our experience, a good power conditioner will almost always noticeably improve the sound of any high-end audio system.
The PowerQuest 2 is AudioQuest’s 6-outlet entry into real power conditioning. It’s a slim unit, easy to install, with a dedicated outlet optimized for 4K and 8K video, Non-Sacrificial Surge Protection, and the same Extreme Voltage Shutdown found on the higher-end PowerQuest rack-mount conditioners.
Differential-Mode Noise-Dissipation
The PQ-2 provides more than 22 dB of noise reduction across a wide 30 kHz – 1 GHz bandwidth in differential mode.
The filter is linearized for dynamic line impedance, from 0.05 Ohms (source) to 10–50 Ohm load. That means even filtering across the whole range — not a sharp peak at one frequency that leaves nearby bands open.
Non-Sacrificial Surge Protection + Extreme Voltage Shutdown
Most surge protectors are “sacrificial” — they work once. After a big surge, the parts inside are used up and the unit stops protecting your gear, even though it still passes power.
The PQ-2 doesn’t work that way. It’s rated to withstand repeated 6,000V / 3,000A surges — the most that can pass through a home’s electrical panel — without wearing out.
Extreme Voltage Shutdown adds a second layer of safety. If incoming voltage goes above 140VAC, the main relay opens in under a quarter of a second. It resets on its own once power is safe.
Six Outlets, Including a Dedicated 4K/8K Video-Optimized Outlet
Four Linear-Filtered outlets serve your DACs, streamers, preamps, CD players, and other source/networking gear. One High-Current outlet is engineered for your soundbar, AV receiver, or powered subwoofer. One 4K/8K Video-Optimized outlet adds extra noise-dissipation technology specifically tuned for high-resolution video components — use it for your TV, projector, or 4K/8K player.
Designed to Hide
The PQ-2 has a slim profile and a rugged floor-mounting stand, ideal for mounting behind cabinets. Power cords plug straight down to the top-layer outlets, keeping installations clean. The stand is detachable if you’d rather shelf-mount.
Also included: two USB charging ports (3.4A total), signal-line protection for cable/satellite TV, and a 7-foot AudioQuest power cord. AudioQuest’s Connected Equipment Protection Warranty is included.
Who Is This Product Best For?
You have a compact system — a TV setup, gaming rig, desktop audio, or small two-channel room — and you want real AudioQuest power protection without going to a rack-mount unit.
You own a 4K or 8K TV / projector / media player and you want a dedicated outlet optimized for video performance.
You want to tuck the conditioner out of sight — behind a cabinet, behind the TV, or on a shelf — while still getting legitimate Non-Sacrificial Surge Protection.
You want AudioQuest’s Connected Equipment Protection Warranty in addition to standard product coverage.
Features & Specifications
| Filtering & Protection | |
| Rated Current | 15 Amps (RMS) @ 120V |
| Differential-Mode Noise-Dissipation | > −22 dB from 30 kHz – 1 GHz |
| Filter Characteristic | Linearized for dynamic line impedance (0.05Ω source → 10–50Ω load) |
| Surge Protection | Non-Sacrificial, withstands repeated 6,000V / 3,000A surges |
| Extreme Voltage Shutdown | 140VAC; relay opens <0.25s; auto-resets when safe |
| Signal-Line Protection | Cable / Satellite TV |
| Outlets & Charging | |
| Total Outlets | 6 |
| Linear-Filter Outlets | 4 |
| High-Current Outlet | 1 |
| 4K/8K Video-Optimized Linear-Filter Outlet | 1 |
| USB Charging Ports | 2 × USB, 3.4A total |
| Included Power Cable | 7’ AudioQuest Directionally Optimized Concentric-Geometry |
| Physical | |
| Form Factor | Slim profile with detachable floor-mounting stand |
| Installation | Vertical behind cabinets (with stand) or horizontal on shelf (stand removed) |
| Warranty | |
| Warranty Coverage | AudioQuest Connected Equipment Protection Warranty (see packaging for details) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this actually improve the sound and picture of my system?
In our experience, a good power conditioner will almost always noticeably improve the sound of any high-end audio system. AudioQuest states the PQ-2 reduces AC noise with differential-mode filtering and protects your gear with Non-Sacrificial Surge Protection.
The dedicated 4K/8K Video-Optimized outlet adds extra noise-dissipation tuned for high-resolution video. Many users report a real bump in picture contrast and black-level detail after plugging a TV or projector into it.
Which outlet do I use for what?
Plug your TV, projector, or 4K/8K media player into the dedicated 4K/8K Video-Optimized outlet. Plug a soundbar, AV receiver, subwoofer, or other higher-draw component into the High-Current outlet.
Plug source gear — streamers, DACs, CD players, preamps, cable boxes, game consoles, networking gear — into any of the four Linear-Filtered outlets. Use the USB ports for phones, tablets, and remotes.
Do I need this if I already have a good surge protector?
Surge protection and power filtering are two different jobs. A basic surge strip blocks voltage spikes but does nothing for AC noise — and most use throwaway MOV parts that wear out with every surge.
The PQ-2 handles both: Non-Sacrificial Surge Protection that withstands repeated 6,000V / 3,000A surges, plus differential-mode linear noise filtering across 30 kHz – 1 GHz.
How does the PQ-2 compare to the PQ-3?
The PQ-2 has 6 outlets (including 1 dedicated 4K/8K video-optimized outlet and 1 High-Current outlet), differential-mode filtering, and 2 USB ports.
The PQ-3 has 8 outlets (2 High-Current), adds common-mode filtering on top of differential, and includes 4 USB-A ports with 4.8A total charging.
Pick the PQ-2 if you want the dedicated 4K/8K video-optimized outlet or need the smallest footprint. Step up to the PQ-3 if you need more outlets, the second filter, or more USB charging.
Where can I install this?
The PQ-2 is built to hide. With the floor-mounting stand attached, it stands vertically and slides into tight spaces behind cabinets or entertainment units. Remove the stand and the PQ-2 lies flat on a shelf — either way, all six outlets remain accessible.
The 7-foot AudioQuest power cord gives you flexibility in where you mount it relative to the nearest wall outlet.
What’s in the Box
- AudioQuest PowerQuest 2 Power Line Filter
- Detachable floor-mounting stand
- 7’ AudioQuest Directionally Optimized Concentric-Geometry Power Cord
- Owner’s manual and warranty documentation
- AudioQuest Connected Equipment Protection Warranty
Why Audio Advisor?
40+ Years of Expertise — Audio Advisor has served over one million audiophiles since 1981.
60-Day Money-Back Guarantee — Try it in your system. If it’s not right, send it back.
Real Experts, Real Help — Call 800-942-0220 and talk to a real person who knows this gear.
Free Shipping — On all US orders over $49.
Flexible Payment Options — Affirm financing available at checkout.
Want to learn more about power conditioning and how it affects your audio system? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice. For a deeper technical dive from AudioQuest’s Senior Director of Engineering, Garth Powell, download AudioQuest’s “Power Demystified” whitepaper.
