High-end and hi-fi systems are a combination of high-precision and intricately made devices. Perfectly attuned to each other, they allow music to be played back in outstanding quality. To ensure that all components can function flawlessly, they need to be kept free of interference to the greatest extent possible, just like high precision measuring equipment does. The same also applies for the connection cables. Interference is caused in a number of different ways. Along with typical electromagnetic interference, which can, for example, be minimised by using good shielding, mechanical vibrations and shocks also have an impact on the playback quality. Added to this are the effects of capacitive coupling between conductors and floors, which affect loudspeakers cables in particular. The conductors form unwanted capacitance, not just in interplay with each other, but also with other surfaces in the immediate surroundings. A good way to counteract this is by increasing the distance to the surfaces. As a rule, a few centimetres suffice. Vibrations are caused in different ways and they can be transmitted by structure-borne and air-borne noise. Structure-borne noise refers to vibrations that are exhibited by a body, such as the housing of a device. An example of this is the loudspeaker box. The membranes of the speakers are stimulated, making them vibrate. However, as the membranes feature a mechanical connection with the loudspeaker housing, they also transfer vibrations to the housing. The vibrations will be stronger or weaker according to the housing weight and the insulation. The vibrations are also transferred to the surface on which the loudspeakers are placed, this being the floor. Two things now occur. On the one hand, the floor emits some of the structure-borne energy as airborne sound (resulting in the typical droning noise), while on the other hand, the structure-borne noise is transferred, for example, to the cable placed on the floor. More about the effects of this later on. Airborne sound refers to vibrations that are transferred through the air and that are audible for humans (with the exception of infrasound and ultrasound). The primary purpose of a hi-fi system is to produce sound. However, airborne noise not only stimulates the eardrum, but also acts on all other surfaces it reaches. This causes the walls, floors and other surfaces, and ultimately the hi-fi components and cables, to vibrate as well. The combination of airborne and structure-borne noise not only causes glasses in a display case to vibrate mechanically, but all components, including the cable used for a hi-fi signal chain, as well. Experiments have shown that the sound from the components and from the cables is impaired by the vibrations. One reason for this is, for example, the capacity values of components in relation to each other, which constantly change due to the vibrations. In order to minimise these so-called microphonic effects, the components must be isolated from the surface on which they are placed. This can be done by using the Reference High Tech Gel Absorber, for example, for appliances and loudspeakers. Their core contains a special gel, which physically converts the vibrations into heat. The Reference Cable Bases have been developed specifically for cables. Their base also contains a special gel, along with natural rubber strips, in which the cables can float freely. Along with absorbing the vibrations, the Reference Cable Bases also keep the cables at a distance to the floor. This reduces unwanted capacitances and reduces the effects on the electronics.
High-end and hi-fi systems are a combination of high-precision and filigree devices. Perfectly coordinated, they are capable of reproducing music in outstanding quality. However, in order for the components to work perfectly, they must be kept as free from interference as possible, just like high-precision measuring instruments. The same applies to the connection cables. However, interference can occur in many different ways. In addition to the typical electromagnetic interference, which can be minimized by good shielding, for example, mechanical vibrations and shocks also affect playback quality. The Referenz cable bases have been specially developed for cables. They also have a special gel incorporated in their base and additional natural rubber bands to accommodate the freely suspended cables. As well as absorbing vibrations, the Referenz cable bases also keep the cable at a distance from the floor, reducing unwanted capacitance and the impact on the electronics.
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.
Current highlights:
Like the flagship model, the LS-204 is also based on Micro Air technology. The difference lies in the multicore architecture. Compared to the XL version, the LS-204 has four instead of six Concentric Copper conductors. This cable boasts an agile character and was primarily developed for slim floorstanding speakers with smaller bass drivers. The Referenz LS-204 Micro AIR is available as a single-wire version with BFA bananas or spade lugs, or as an Easy Plug version. Click here and discover the exciting details
Because the speaker cable carries the largest current in the entire device chain, a suitable conductor cross-section is required to transport it with as little loss as possible. This current generates correspondingly strong magnetic fields and, since it is alternating current, there is a frequency-dependent resistance in the inductance of the cable. Low inductance is therefore particularly important for speaker cables - and this is precisely what has been achieved with the LS-1205 Air: The cable's inductance value has been reduced by a particularly ingenious arrangement of the conductors, the 4-fold "multicore" structure, enabling it to behave in a completely sound-neutral way over a wide frequency range. In addition, the magnetic fields generated around the individual conductors overlap and neutralize each other. This means that all frequencies are transported unhindered and without any time delay, enabling a fabulously open and detailed musical presentation. At the end of the air helix, the LS-1205 Air’s four conductors are separated into so-called aluminum splitters for the receiving connector. In the area between the splitters and plug, in-akustik uses highly flexible molded parts made of a special elastomer. These parts are fixed inside the splitter using a specifically designed plastic plug. This means that the cable remains reliably flexible in the connection area as well. The molded parts run right to the front of the connectors and enclose their inner workings - which underscores the sleek yet attractive design of the LS-1205 Air. Click here and discover the exciting details
The S25 Speaker 225 is the compact solution in the S25 series and ideal for small setups. It impresses with solid performance and surprisingly good spatial imaging. The bass remains controlled and precise without bloating, the mids sound focused, voices natural and tangible. The highs are detailed without harshness. Its slim, discreet design combined with high flexibility makes it especially easy to install – whether visibly on open shelves, behind furniture, or in tight cable channels. This allows the Speaker 225 to seamlessly integrate into almost any setup – both acoustically and visually. Click here to discover exciting details
Inductance is a critical behavioral feature of a cable, causing resistance to the signal flow, rising with the frequency. Multicore architectures, such as that of the LS-40, reduce this effect and bring more precision and punch to the sound. The conductors of the LS-40 are made of high-purity copper. Under normal conditions, copper is the next-best electrical conductor after silver. Compared to cheap CCA (Copper Coated Aluminum) in particular, copper has a significantly better conductivity and is also mechanically more resilient. The stranded wire design is a tried and tested conductor design in the hi-fi sector. Each conductor consists of 50 x 0.25 mm strands that are "twisted" together. The advantage of this design lies in the economical method of production and the mechanical flexibility, which increases with smaller diameters of the individual wires. The conductor cross-section of 2x5.0 mm² is the foundation for a dynamic and powerful sound. The polyethylene (PE) insulation of the LS-40 has very good electrical properties. Compared to PVC, it halves the annoying battery-like capacitance of cables. The reproduction gains in brilliance and spatial quality. The PE network jacket protects against mechanical damage and serves as additional insulation.
Atmos Air technology is an important milestone on the road to air insulation as the perfect dielectric for audiophiles. There is an air chamber in the electrostatic "epicenter" between the signal conductors. It reduces line capacitance and dielectric losses. The first step towards audiophile playback quality. With conventionally stranded wires, the individual strands run chaotically through the conductor. This leads to undefined contact points, which can result in degraded signal transmission. In contrast to this, as with the Atmos Air speaker cable, each wire in the Concentric Copper structures has a precisely defined position within the conductor. This enables homogeneous signal transmission and ensures crystal-clear audio reproduction.
With the Exzellenz LS-CU MSR, we are reviving the legendary Monitor Cobra Cable from the 90s. The conventional twin cable design offers plenty of space for large cable cross-sections and provides a good basis for good sound. The conductor material made of high-purity copper is the best electrical conductor after silver under normal conditions. Compared to cheap CCA (Copper Coated Aluminium) in particular, copper has a significantly better conductivity and is also mechanically more resilient. The stranded wire is one of the proven conductor constructions. In the Exzellenz LS-CU MSR, the strands consist of 651 x 0.07 mm (2.5 mm²), 1050 x 0.07 mm (4.0 mm²) and 1575 x 0.07 mm (6.0 mm²) wires "strangled" together. The advantage of this design lies in the mechanical flexibility which increases with smaller diameters of the individual wires
