Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
All
Iconoclast Series 1
reviews
Manufacturer details
- Conductor Count: 48 conductors
- Conductor Size: 24 AWG
- Conductor Material Options: TPC (99.9% pure), OFE (99.99% pure), SPTPC (99.998% pure silver-plated)
- Dielectric: PTFE (Teflon)
- Jacket: Nylon braid with Teflon covering
- Available Terminations: Small(6.3mm) Spades, Medium(7.0mm) Spades, Large(9.2mm) Spades, Bananas
We'll describe the Iconoclast design, and its objectives, briefly below; but for a full treatment of the subject, please read the articles Time and Speaker Cable Design Brief, and, for our Series-2 product, Series 2 Speaker Cable Design Memo. The designs are proprietary, but the electrical theory behind all of this is meant to be open, explicit and clear: no hiding the ball.
Conventional speaker cable design is simple, and it's not hard to produce a relatively flat frequency response, as measured purely by amplitude. But Galen's principal objective was not just to do that, but to do something trickier: adjust the cable design to keep the timing of low and high frequencies together, despite the fact that the velocity of propagation of signals varies considerably through the audio band. As the papers referenced above set out, this was achieved by using a large number of small conductors, bonded into pairs, in thin-walled Teflon dielectric, and then weaving those pairs tightly together into two polarity bundles.
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
Select products
BAV RCA Series
- Positioning: An entry-level interconnect line designed for standard analog audio setups.
- Description: Features a simple design with effective shielding to keep the signal clear in everyday applications. In contrast to the enhanced balance of the Iconoclast XLR series and the high-power optimization of the Iconoclast Speaker lines, it offers a cost-effective solution for small room use with modest functionality.
Iconoclast RCA Series
- Positioning: A premium interconnect line engineered for high-performance analog systems.
- Description: Features advanced conductor geometry and high-purity materials to minimize distortion and preserve signal integrity. Compared to the more budget-oriented BAV line, it offers a higher level of fidelity and precision for discerning listeners.
BAV XLR Series
- Positioning: An entry-level balanced interconnect line designed for standard systems.
- Description: Uses balanced connectors and practical engineering to reduce noise and maintain clarity. Compared to the premium Iconoclast XLR series and the more specialized Speaker options, it provides accessible balanced performance for everyday applications.
Iconoclast XLR Series
- Positioning: A flagship balanced interconnect line that emphasizes superior signal integrity.
- Description: Uses high-precision engineering and proprietary design to reduce noise, distortion, and phase error. Positioned above the BAV series, it is ideal for high-end systems where signal accuracy is critical.
BAV Speaker Series
- Positioning: A power-delivery cable line suited for entry to mid-fi speaker connections.
- Description: Offers robust build quality and conductor design aimed at minimizing signal loss in typical listening environments. Compared with the higher-end Iconoclast Speaker series, it serves as an affordable solution for moderately demanding systems.
Iconoclast Speaker Series
- Positioning: A high-performance cable line optimized for high-fidelity speaker connections.
- Description: Delivers maximum signal accuracy and power handling using advanced design techniques. Positioned above the BAV line, it is intended for larger, more demanding systems requiring audiophile-grade performance.
BAV Power Cords
- Positioning: A versatile power delivery option suitable for all system levels.
- Description: Engineered to provide clean and consistent power across a range of applications, from mid-fi to high-end systems. While BAV interconnects and speaker cables are entry-level, these power cords are optimized for broad compatibility.
Our take on the brand
Look inside the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
We have an extraordinary line of audio cables produced by Belden, the 123+ year old $3-billion wire and cable manufacturing company. The cables were designed and manufactured utilizing the incomparable resources of the Belden Engineering and Design Center and manufacturing facilities in Richmond, IN. Design briefs, white pages and complete engineering data are all placed as an open book on our website.
What's your approach to customer support?
We are not in the business of selling snake oil at the noise bleed prices that plague our industry in this segment. We have an no questions asked 30-day return policy leaving the audiophile zero risk in trying our cables. We are manufacturer direct and support only a very small handful of dealers, mostly international. We want to maintain personal relationships with customers and hold prices at levels that are within reach of most audiophiles.
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