Price Paid:  $125.00 from Used

Summary:
Having gone through several interconnects with my system(Rotel 1090/1080 and a/d/s L1290s & L1090s), I finally settled on Audioquest Opals. Got the upgrade bug and bought Emeralds in .5m($95) for preamp to amp and 1m for cd(rotel 991 AE) to preamp. The Emerald was the next upgrade to the Opal and best copper cable Audioquest made at the time. The main difference is the use of teflon. While subtle, they produce somewhat crisper and more open highs and better soundstage and tighter, more extended bass but still maintain the sweetness of the Opals. They sound similar to the Wireworld Polaris but sweeter and have a larger soundstage. For this price point, I am very satisfied and think they are a great value. As a matter of fact, I prefer Audioquest's older cables to their newer line-up.

Strengths:
o Clean, neutral and open yet characteristically sweet. o Good soundstage with firmer and more extended bass than Opals. o Faster than the Opals.

Weaknesses:
o These are not 'in your face' cables and if you are looking for this, look elsewhere.

Similar Products Used:
o Audioquest Ruby and Opal, Kimber Silver Streak and KS-1010, Wireworld Polaris.

Price Paid:  $90.00 from used

Summary:
With the AQ emerald first connected on my system, it sounded like I had replaced a more powerful amp on my system, sound faster in every respect, clearer on midhig. As I only paid for it for US90. If it wasn't a best buy then what else could it be ?

Strengths:
detailed, smooth sounding, dynamic, full body soundstage, midrange richness.

Weaknesses:
material used for outter surface layer (easy to get scratched), DIA of the cable is a bit thick. not as clear & tight as the highest end cable (like Taralab the one) on bottom frequency. Treble is very clean & clear but comparatively a bit not as extended as THE ONE from Taralab.

Similar Products Used:
TaraLab the one (borrowed), Kimber KGAG, PBJ, AT58, MIT, XLO etc.

Summary:
Sadly out of production now. A great used cable bargain. Almost gets to XLO Signature but probably closer to XLO Reference. Was the top of the line copper cable by AQ and was actually part of the AudioTruth line. Fast, detailed but warm sounding. May be prefered over the faster XLO's which also can sound lean or cold but are very fast, accurate and ultra revealing. Teflon is the secret ingredient here.

Strengths:
Fast, warm, laid back presentation

Weaknesses:
not as fast as XLO Sig.

Similar Products Used:
XLO Sig, XLO Ref., AQ Quartz

Summary:
By far if you are looking for a great cable with great cost/performance ratio, this is one serius alternative.
I only recomend that you ballance adequately the tonal and sonic character of your system electronics and speakers with the characteristics of the cable itself.
This cables doesn't color or help anyone, so you just will hear all good or all bad your system is...
Also think or evaluate the Harmonic Technology's line... are superb to..

Strengths:
Good Value
Excellent tonal balance
Neutrality
Transparency

Weaknesses:
I found none

Similar Products Used:
Monster Cables up to M1000 Mk II
Harmonic Technology Truth Link / Precission Link

Summary:
I have to agree the performance of these cables doesn't match the price point, the diamonds are better, but much more expensive (unless you get them used). Try harmonic technologies or Silver Audio in the same price range. They are better than a 1 though, thats for Monster and Radio Shack.