Cardas Clear Headphone 1m
Overview
The Clear Headphone by Cardas is a replacement cable for hi-fi headphones. It uses patented Matched Propagation technology and features a miniaturized dual-mono construction. This model is designed to ensure an optimal connection for high-end headphones.
Meticulous construction for maximum transparency
The Clear Headphone employs a fully dual-mono configuration, with two cables completely isolated from each other—one for each channel. This total physical separation eliminates any crosstalk between channels and preserves the integrity of the headphone’s stereo separation.
The conductors use 99.9999% pure OFC (Oxygen Free Copper), produced to Cardas’ proprietary specifications. This Grade 1 copper undergoes a special manufacturing process that makes it exceptionally supple and ductile. Each conductor comprises eight 26.5 AWG strands, for a total of 8×26.5 AWG per channel. Individual strands are sized according to golden ratio proportions, with the finest at the center and the thickest toward the outside.
The Litz construction coats each individual strand with a transparent insulating varnish (SPN - Single Polyurethane Nylon), preventing copper oxidation and eliminating interference between adjacent strands. Initially developed for high-frequency applications, this technique keeps the cable’s electrical characteristics stable over time.
A central Kevlar fiber core optimizes signal propagation while providing remarkable mechanical strength. The conductors are twisted into pairs using a patented Cross-field geometry, then surrounded by anti-static air tubes made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE). These tubes are held together by a carbon-impregnated PTFE tape that dissipates static charges.
Matched Propagation technology tailored for headphones
Developing the Clear Headphone required several years of research to adapt Matched Propagation technology to the dimensional constraints of a headphone cable. This technology addresses a fundamental problem identified in the early days of telephony: the electrical signal travels through the conductor at a speed close to that of light, while the surrounding dielectric responds roughly 30% more slowly.
This temporal mismatch causes signal “smearing,” particularly audible on transients and fine details. Telephone companies used loading coils (Pupin coils) to compensate for this over long distances. Cardas’ solution is to control the conductor’s internal geometry to slow the signal’s propagation and align it with that of the dielectric, without additional components.
In the Clear Headphone, this synchronization is achieved through precise control of the winding angle and pitch of each layer of strands around the Kevlar core. The selected dielectric materials—FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene) and PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)—exhibit fast dissipation rates that minimize energy storage within the cable.
Sophisticated shielding and professional finish
An outer layer of PTFE air tubes, sized 1.618 times larger than the central tubes (again, the golden ratio), keeps the composite shield at an optimal distance from the signal-carrying conductors. This shield combines 42 AWG tinned copper with a magnet wire, providing effective protection against electromagnetic interference without adding parasitic capacitance.
The outer jacket in TPR (thermoplastic rubber) remains flexible even after years of use. Its special formulation resists skin oils and UV. A black-and-white nylon braid covers this jacket, adding extra mechanical protection while making the cable easy to identify at a glance.
The two mono conductors are held together by several black anodized aluminum pieces, laser-engraved with Cardas’ signature nautilus logo. A machined Delrin splitter can slide along the cable to adapt to different headphone sizes and user morphologies.
The final outer diameter of each conductor is 4.31 mm, a balance between flexibility and electrical performance. Despite the generous cross-section and reinforced shielding, the cable remains supple enough for comfortable everyday use.
Technical Specifications
Performance
- Suitable for both balanced and single-ended headphones.
- Dual-mono construction to separate channels and preserve signal purity.
- Neutral tonal balance, natural dynamics, and exceptional detail retrieval.
- Designed for high-end headphones such as the Sennheiser HD800.
Connectors and terminations
- Standard: 6.35 mm Cardas stereo jack and Sennheiser HD800 connector.
- Other terminations available on request: XLR, 4.4 mm, dual 3-pin, etc.
Design and construction
Conductors
- Kevlar core optimized for signal propagation.
- Oxygen-free copper (99.9999% purity) with transparent SPN (Litz) coating.
- Gauges calculated according to golden ratio proportions.
Geometry
- Twisted conductors in dual-mono pairs.
- Anti-static LDPE air tubes, bound with carbon-impregnated PTFE tape.
- Outer layer: PTFE air tubes 1.618 times larger than the central tubes.
- Shielding: 42 AWG tinned copper combined with magnet wire.
Insulation and jacket
- FEP tape-wrapped dielectric.
- Ultra-soft TPR extruded jacket for flexibility and durability.
Technical specifications
- Gauge: 8 × 26.5 AWG.
- Outer diameter: 4.31 mm.
Key benefits
- Built to Cardas reference standards.
- True dual-mono configuration for optimal isolation.
- Highly flexible despite reinforced shielding and ultra-pure conductors.
- Wide choice of terminations to suit nearly all high-end headphones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Clear Headphone cable compatible with balanced use?
Yes, the Clear Headphone’s dual-mono construction makes it perfectly suited for balanced connections. Since the two conductors are completely isolated from each other, they can carry the positive and negative signals of each channel without interaction. Simply order the cable with the appropriate balanced terminations (XLR, 4.4 mm, etc.).
What’s the difference between the Clear Headphone and the Clear Light/Clear Reflection for headphones?
The Clear Headphone uses a true dual-mono architecture with two separate cables, like speaker cables, while the Clear Light and Clear Reflection models combine both channels in a single jacket. The Clear also employs more sophisticated Matched Propagation conductors with a concentric geometry, versus a simpler two-conductor construction in the other models.
Does the Clear Headphone alter the headphone’s sonic signature?
According to Cardas, the cable aims for absolute neutrality thanks to Matched Propagation technology, which preserves the signal’s temporal integrity. Users generally report improvements in resolution, instrument separation, and soundstage depth, without notable tonal change. The cable instead reveals the headphone’s intrinsic capabilities.
- Eco-contribution included in the sale price.