in-akustik manufactures high-end speaker cables in its Black Forest facility in Germany. The range spans four quality tiers, from Reference and Excellence to Premium and Star, all built around low-inductance, multi-core conductors. Flagship models are silver cables that use the patented AIR-Helix geometry with air insulation to minimise capacitance and preserve signal integrity. You get tighter bass, more precise imaging and natural timbre at every price point.
Banana BFA-103 | 45°
The angled shape of the new BFA-103 banana plug relieves the strain on the contact sleeve and the device socket. This also allows heavy high-end cables to be connected without damaging the plug or the connection terminals on the devices. In addition, the angled cable routing saves space behind the devices and speakers. The body of the plug consists of a solid socket with two hex screws and can accommodate cables with a cross-section of up to 10 mm² or a diameter of up to 7.5 mm. All contact elements are coated with rhodium and guarantee long-lasting low contact resistance.
BFA Banana
With the Exzellenz BFA bananas, in-akustik has developed a connection option for loudspeaker cables that meets the strict requirements of the BFA standard (British Federation of Audio). Suitable for cable cross-sections up to 10 mm². Red/black coded. With screw connection.
BFA Banana
Suitable for cable cross-sections up to 6.0 mm². Complies with the strict provisions of the BFA standard. Red/black coded. With screw connection.
Banana Multi Tip
Suitable for cable cross-sections up to 6 mm². With soldered connection and high-quality 24k gold-plated contacts. Red/black coded.
Hollow tip
The hollow tips are an excellent solution when it comes to ensuring a perfect fit in the socket while providing the largest possible contact surface at the same time. These high-quality connectors are ideal for cable cross-sections up to 6.0 mm² and have 24k gold-plated contacts. What makes these hollow tips really special is the use of beryllium-doped copper. This material combines excellent electrical conductivity with stable and strong spring pressure. The result is outstanding contact characteristics that remain intact over a long period of time. The gold contact finish is another highlight of these hollow tips. It evens out tiny irregularities and increases the contact surface. As a result, undesirable contact resistances are minimized and the electrical connection is always reliable. In short, the hollow tips are the ideal choice if you are looking for connectors that offer first-class performance and durability. Thanks to their high-quality materials and workmanship, you can rely on a consistently outstanding electrical connection.
S25 Speaker Pin
If your speakers or amplifiers only feature simple screw or clamp terminals, the S25 Speaker Pins make it easy to securely connect high-quality speaker cables. The 2.0 mm pin fits into almost all common clamp terminals and ensures a stable connection between cable and terminal. The contact material is made of brass and additionally gold-plated to provide long-lasting durability and reliable conductivity without corrosion. The pins can be mounted either by screwing or soldering. This allows you to flexibly configure your cables and adapt them precisely to your system requirements. Compatible with the following cables from the S25 series: S25 Speaker 225 (2x2.5 mm²) S25 Speaker 415 (4x1.5 mm²) S25 Speaker 425 (4x2.5 mm²)
Spade lug
Brass spade lug for cross-sections up to 4.0 mm² for crimping or soldering. With 6/8 mm stepped fork. Black/red coded.
Buying the right speaker cable
Choosing the right speaker cable can significantly impact the sound quality of your HiFi system. In addition to the conductor cross-section, the cable's inductance, or the construction of the cable, and other factors also play a role.
Conductor cross-section
The conductor cross-section should be large enough so that the current flowing through the cable can be transported with as little loss as possible. The higher the power of the amplifier and the longer the cable run, the larger the conductor cross-section should be.
Rule of thumb:
Standard: between 2.5 mm² to 4mm² for normal HiFi systems with cable lengths up to 5 meters.
Better Sound: 4 mm² or more for longer cables, powerful amplifiers, or an even better audiophile sound experience.
High-End: In audiophile music reproduction, special requirements are placed on signal transmission. Besides the cross-section, especially the cable architecture or the construction of the cable plays a crucial role.
What matters:
Higher Power: High-end speakers often need to be supplied with significantly more power than ordinary HiFi speakers.
Longer Cable Routes: In event technology, studios, or home cinema, cable routes of 10 meters or more are not uncommon.
Loss-Free Signal Transmission: To minimize sound losses and distortions, among other things, a thicker cross-section is necessary.
High-Quality Music Reproduction: Cross-sections up to 10 mm² for high power, long cable routes, and loss-free signal transmission.
Expanded Sound Spectrum: Thicker cables can transmit a wider frequency spectrum, revealing more details and nuances in the sound.
Dynamics and Precision: Improved dynamics and precision in the bass range as well as a clearer and finer resolution in the high-frequency range.
Future-Proof: A higher cross-section provides reserves for future upgrades of your HiFi system.
Cable inductance
The cable's inductance acts like a frequency-dependent resistance, which can dampen the high-frequency range. Therefore, a cable with low inductance is advantageous. This is achieved by a special construction of the cable, for example, through a multicore structure. The clever arrangement of conductors in the multi-layered multicore structures creates overlapping areas of magnetic fields that significantly reduce inductance. The entire frequency spectrum, including high tone frequencies and dynamic pulse sequences, are transmitted unhindered and without time delay. Music sounds more detailed. The sound is more dynamic. All details are worked out precisely and harmonically.
The construction of our audiophile AIR speaker cables is based on the multicore principle and thus reduces inductance.
Cable capacitance
Particularly problematic for as loss-free signal transmission as possible is the capacitance, since every cable has an electrical capacitance. This behaves similarly to a battery that must be continuously charged and discharged by the components in the cable. These processes burden the audio signal, cause phase shifts, and influence the sound quality of the system. The capacitance is influenced by various factors, such as the material with which the conductors are insulated (usually PVC, known as dielectric) and the distance between the conductors. Depending on which insulating material is used and how far the conductors are from each other, the capacitance of the cable varies.
The AIR-Helix construction of our high-end speaker cables allows for the use of air as a dielectric (besides vacuum, the best possible dielectric) to keep the conductors at a consistent distance from each other throughout the entire length of the cable.
Experiment: Here you can learn how insulation and conductor distance affect capacitance.
In summary
- The construction of the cable: The multicore construction reduces inductance.
- The insulation of the cable: Air as insulation (dielectric) minimizes the capacitance
- The quality of the connectors: The connectors should be coated with very hard materials (e.g., Rhodium) to prevent corrosion.
- The material of the conductor: Copper is the most commonly used conductor material and achieves excellent sound properties depending on the degree of purity. Pure silver conductor is the best but also by far the most expensive conductor material. Not to be confused with silver-plated conductors, which tend to emphasize the high-frequency range!
Differences between single-wire, single bi-wire, bi-wire, and bi-amping
Not all speaker cables are the same—their design and intended use differ significantly. The terms single-wire, single bi-wire, bi-wire, and bi-amping describe different types of connections between the amplifier and the speaker and influence how the individual frequency ranges are controlled.
Are losses on speaker cables measurable?
To get to the bottom of this question, we take you to our lab in an exciting webinar. In this webinar, we analyze the results of a measurement setup and consider what relationship might exist between sound and cable. In addition to the actual measurements, we also show you a very astonishing experiment.
Webinar contents
What to expect in this webinar
- Measurements on speaker cables in the lab
- What is the damping factor and why is it important
- How is the damping factor measured
- Evaluation of the results
- Another impressive "sound experiment"
Here you can register for this and other HiFi webinars at the in-akustik academy
Buying high-quality speaker cables
Many HiFi enthusiasts wonder whether it's worth investing in high-quality speaker cables. The answer is not simple, as it depends on various factors. In addition to optimizing room acoustics, the correct placement of speakers, and the finely tuned selection of electronics, the appropriate cabling of your HiFi chain also holds significant potential.
Basically:
The higher the quality of the cable, the lower the losses. This means that more of the amplifier's signal reaches the speaker, making the music sound more detailed and powerful.
First-rate cables can also improve the spatiality of the sound image. The individual instruments and voices are more locatable, and the overall sound impression appears more natural.
Speaker cables from in-akustik in four quality levels
- Reference: Our most innovative cables made from the highest quality materials, based on the AIR Helix Point-to-Point technology for the unique audiophile listening pleasure - Made in Germany
- Excellence: HiFi speaker cables with perfected insulation and flexibility as the basis for a solid and powerful sound - Made in Germany
- Premium: Speaker cables for classic stereo or home cinema systems. Extremely easy to lay.
- Star: Universal speaker cables for a wide range of applications such as Home-Hifi, Car-Hifi, DJ, or home cinema areas
High-end speaker cables from in-akustik
High-Quality Materials: Ultra-pure, oxygen-free copper for our top-class speaker cables - with silver cables, an even better sound experience is achieved.
Assembly: High-quality connectors and clean processing.
Made in Germany: All cables of the "Reference" quality level do not leave our manufacturing plant without a final quality control.
Are speaker cables available in fixed lengths or by the meter?
At in-akustik, you can purchase speaker cables both by the meter for custom assembly and in pre-assembled versions with high-quality connectors, depending on the quality level and area of application.
In the entry-level and mid-range segments – i.e., our Star and Premium series – the cables are usually available by the meter. Depending on the model, these classic twin cables feature technical specialities such as MSR technology, S/Z stranding, or special conductor geometries. You can find suitable accessories for custom assembly, such as banana plugs or cable lugs, in the accessories section. This allows you to tailor your cable precisely to your room, system, and individual requirements.
In the higher quality levels Excellence and Reference we generally only offer speaker cables that are pre-assembled. Here, the complex processing – for example, in our AIR Helix cables – requires the highest precision and special tools. For example, the connectors are permanently pressed onto the conductor with up to 1.5 tons of pressure without any loss of quality. Each of these connections is manufactured and tested by experienced cable workers at our factory in Germany.
Whether sold by the meter or as ready-made high-end cables, both variants represent the high quality made in Germany for which in-akustik has been known for decades.
High-Quality Accessories for Speaker Cables
In addition to the speaker cables themselves, there are several useful accessories that can facilitate installation and use and can improve sound quality.
Here are some examples:
Banana plugs
Banana plugs allow for a quick and easy connection between the speaker cable and speaker.
They are available in various designs, e.g., as straight or angled plugs.
For high-end systems, we recommend rhodium-coated plugs to prevent corrosion and contact resistance.
Spade connectors
Spade connectors are also available in various designs. Our high-end versions are rhodium-coated and feature a slotted contact fork. The contact spring created by the slot deforms concavely when tightened, thus preventing the spade connectors from slipping out.
Cable bases
The cable bases consistently keep the cable at a distance from the ground. This reduces unwanted capacitances and relieves the electronics.
FAQ Speaker Cables
Current highlights:
The LS-404 Micro AIR is a further installment in the success story of the Micro AIR technology: As with the already legendary AIR Helix cables, air is also a central component of the insulation concept in the Referenz Micro AIR technology. Due to the low speaker impedances, however, low line resistances and a low inductance are also very important for speaker cables. For this reason, the Referenz LS-404 Micro AIR uses a total of 8 concentric copper conductors in addition to the air dielectric. Thanks to this multicore architecture, the magnetic fields of the positive and negative conductors overlap and neutralize each other. This significantly reduces the inductance of the cable, which guarantees unaltered transmission of the audio signal over a broad frequency spectrum. Due to our approach, the LS-404 has an extremely balanced sound character with precise timing, on top of a solidly controlled foundation. This cable is primarily designed for full-size floorstanding loudspeakers. The impression sound makes on the listener is always subjective, of course, and depends in no small part on the overall constellation of a hi-fi system. In the end, the decisive factor is your own personal listening impression. Click here and discover the exciting details
The LS-2405 AIR high-end speaker cable offers audiophile enthusiasts a unique sound experience. In the new Referenz LS-2405 AIR loudspeaker cable, we have taken the outstanding properties of its predecessor, the LS-2404 AIR, and developed them even further. The point-to-point Air Helix design now enables the AIR Helix architecture to be used from plug to plug and not just between the sleeves. The 360° BFA bananas and spade lugs are a further innovation, developed in-house for easy and convenient connection to the terminals. These and other technical refinements turn the already exceptional AIR cables into true masterpieces. Below you can learn more about the outstanding technical features of this cable, the innovations in the 5th generation and the physical principles used in the AIR technology Click here and discover the exciting details
The S25 Speaker Cable 425 is the most powerful model in the series, designed for audiophile setups with high power reserves and long cable runs. The large conductor cross-section and low-inductance multicore design ensure exceptionally low-loss transmission – even under high load or long cable lengths. The sound benefits from a particularly controlled, deep-reaching bass with precise punch, clearly defined mids, and an open, detailed high-frequency reproduction. The spatial presentation is stable and wide. Thanks to high-quality materials such as fine-stranded OFC copper, solid crimp contacts, and gold-plated connectors, the signal remains unaltered along the entire length. Its discreet, functionally elegant design and surprisingly high flexibility despite the large cross-section allow for neat, unobtrusive installation – even in complex rack setups or close to walls. Click here to discover exciting details
The LS-Atmos AIR speaker cable uses Atmos AIR technology to create optimal conditions for precise signal transmission. The design aims to utilize air - an ideal dielectric—as extensively as possible between the signal conductors. At the center of the electric field between the conductors, a defined air chamber is integrated into the cable structure. This reduces capacitance and dielectric losses and helps preserve the integrity of the audio signal. Another key feature is the Concentric Copper conductor design. Each individual copper strand is positioned in a precisely defined location within the conductor. Unlike conventional stranded constructions, where the relative position of the strands continuously changes, this geometry remains stable. The result is consistent electrical properties and controlled signal transmission. The combination of air insulation and a precisely defined conductor geometry supports transparent, detailed sound reproduction with excellent dynamics and natural tonal balance. The LS-Atmos AIR speaker cable is designed for demanding hi-fi enthusiasts who value high-quality materials, thoughtful engineering, and accurate signal transmission.
