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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 3 is AudioQuest’s slim-form-factor, 8-outlet conditioner — smaller than the rack-mount PowerQuest 303 or 505, but equipped with the full pair of common- and differential-mode filters that address the two kinds of noise most common on modern AC lines.
Dual Filtering: Differential and Common Mode
The PQ-3 runs a 30 kHz – 1 GHz Differential Mode filter and a 30 kHz – 100 MHz Common Mode filter. Both are rated at greater than −22 dB of linear noise dissipation.
Together they handle the two most common kinds of AC noise: noise riding between hot and neutral (differential) and noise riding on both conductors together (common). This is the same filtering pair found on the rack-mount PowerQuest 505.
Non-Sacrificial Surge Protection
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-3 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, with an unlimited joule rating.
Extreme Voltage Shutdown adds a second layer of safety. If incoming voltage goes above 140VAC, the unit shuts down. It resets on its own once power is safe.
Eight Outlets, Integrated USB Charging
Two High-Current outlets handle soundbars, powered speakers, or subwoofers. Six linear-filtered outlets serve your TV, streamer, DAC, router, and other source/networking gear. Four high-speed USB-A charging ports deliver up to 4.8 amps total for phones, tablets, remotes, and other small devices.
Slim Profile, Multiple Install Options
The PQ-3 is built for flexibility. A detachable base stands the unit vertically behind furniture or cabinetry. Remove the base and it lies flat on a shelf. All outlets stay accessible either way.
The included 2-meter AudioQuest power cable has a flat-to-wall plug for tight installations, and Signal-Line Protection covers cable and satellite TV. AudioQuest Connected Equipment Protection Warranty is included.
Who Is This Product Best For?
You have a compact two-channel or home theater system where a full-width rack-mount conditioner would be overkill.
You want serious AC filtering — both common- and differential-mode — plus Non-Sacrificial Surge Protection in a discreet form factor that hides behind cabinets or lies flat on a shelf.
You want integrated USB charging (4 USB-A ports, 4.8A total) alongside your AC outlets — useful for TVs, streaming devices, and charging needs.
You want AudioQuest’s Connected Equipment Protection Warranty in addition to the unit’s own warranty coverage.
Features & Specifications
| Filtering & Protection | |
| Rated Current | 15 Amps (RMS) @ 120V |
| Linear Noise-Dissipation | > −22 dB |
| Differential Mode Filter | 30 kHz – 1 GHz |
| Common Mode Filter | 30 kHz – 100 MHz |
| Surge Protection | Non-Sacrificial, withstands repeated 6,000V / 3,000A surges |
| Joule Rating | Unlimited |
| Extreme Voltage Shutdown | 140VAC with auto-reset |
| Signal-Line Protection | Cable / Satellite TV |
| Outlets & Charging | |
| Total Outlets | 8 |
| High-Current Outlets | 2 |
| USB Charging Ports | 4 × USB-A, 4.8A total |
| Included Power Cable | 2m AudioQuest directionally-optimized concentric-geometry cable with flat-to-wall plug |
| Physical | |
| H × W × D | 8.1 × 39.4 × 18.8 cm (3.2” × 15.5” × 7.4”) |
| Installation | Detachable vertical base (behind cabinets) or horizontal shelf mount |
| Warranty | |
| Warranty Coverage | AudioQuest Connected Equipment Protection Warranty (see packaging for details) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this actually improve the sound 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-3 reduces AC noise with both differential- and common-mode filtering, and protects your gear from surges.
Results vary depending on how dirty your AC is and how detailed your system sounds. The PQ-3’s dual-filter design handles the two most common kinds of AC noise.
How does the PQ-3 compare to the PQ-303 or PQ-2?
The PQ-2 is the entry point — a 6-outlet slim unit with differential-mode filtering only.
The PQ-3 moves up to 8 outlets and adds common-mode filtering on top of differential (the PQ-2 doesn’t have this).
The PQ-303 moves to the full-width rack-mount chassis with 12 outlets but has differential-mode filtering only.
So for filtering: the PQ-3 has two filters but fewer outlets; the PQ-303 has more outlets but only one filter. Pick the PQ-303 if you need maximum outlets for a multichannel home theater. Pick the PQ-3 if you want full filtering for a smaller system and a discreet install.
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/networking gear. The USB-A ports handle phones, tablets, remotes, and other small charging needs.
Is the surge protection guaranteed?
AudioQuest’s Non-Sacrificial Surge Protection is rated to withstand repeated 6,000V / 3,000A surges — the most that can pass through a home’s electrical panel — without needing to be replaced.
Extreme Voltage Shutdown opens the main relay in under a quarter second if incoming voltage exceeds 140VAC. The PQ-3 also ships with AudioQuest’s Connected Equipment Protection Warranty — see the packaging for exact coverage details.
Where can I install this?
The PQ-3 is designed for flexibility. The detachable base lets the unit stand vertically behind furniture, cabinetry, or a TV stand where a traditional rack-mount conditioner wouldn’t fit.
Remove the base and the PQ-3 lies flat on a shelf — either way, all outlets stay accessible. The flat-to-wall plug on the included power cable makes it easy to run the unit close to a wall outlet.
What’s in the Box
- AudioQuest PowerQuest 3 Power Conditioner
- Detachable base (for vertical mounting)
- 2m AudioQuest directionally-optimized concentric-geometry power cable with flat-to-wall plug
- 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.
