Cardas Clear Headphone 1.5m

The Clear Headphone from Cardas is a replacement cable for hi-fi headphones. It uses patented Matched Propagation technology and adopts a miniaturized dual mono construction. This model is designed to ensure proper connection to high-end headphones.

Meticulous construction for maximum transparency

The Clear Headphone adopts a full 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 stereophonic separation.

The conductors use OFC (Oxygen Free Copper) with 99.9999% purity, produced according to Cardas’ exclusive specifications. This Grade 1 copper undergoes a special manufacturing process that makes it particularly flexible and ductile. Each conductor comprises eight strands of 26.5 AWG gauge, for a total gauge of 8×26.5 AWG per channel. The individual strands are sized according to golden ratio proportions, with the finest at the center and the thickest toward the outside.

The Litz construction employed coats each individual strand with a transparent insulating varnish (SPN - Single Polyurethane Nylon), preventing copper oxidation and eliminating interference between adjacent strands. This technique, initially developed for high-frequency applications, maintains the cable’s electrical characteristics stable over time.

The central core of Kevlar fibers optimizes signal propagation while offering remarkable mechanical strength. The conductors are twisted in pairs according to a patented Cross-field geometry, then surrounded by antistatic air tubes made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE). These tubes are held together by a carbon-impregnated PTFE tape that ensures static charge dissipation.

Matched Propagation technology adapted for headphones

The development of the Clear Headphone required several years of research to adapt Matched Propagation technology to the dimensional constraints of a headphone cable. This technology solves a fundamental problem identified since the early days of telephony: the electrical signal propagates at a speed close to that of light in the conductor, but the surrounding dielectric reacts approximately 30% slower.

This temporal offset causes a signal “smearing” effect, particularly audible on transients and fine details. Telephone companies used loading coils (Pupin coils) to compensate for this phenomenon over long distances. Cardas’ solution consists of controlling the internal geometry of the conductor to slow down signal 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 strand layer around the Kevlar core. The chosen dielectric materials - FEP (fluorinated ethylene-propylene) and PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) - exhibit rapid dissipation rates that minimize energy storage in 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), maintains the composite shielding at optimal distance from the signal-carrying conductors. This shielding combines 42 AWG tinned copper with magnetic wire, offering effective protection against electromagnetic interference without adding parasitic capacitance.

The outer TPR (thermoplastic rubber) jacket remains flexible even after years of use. Its special formulation resists skin oils and UV. A black and white braided nylon pattern covers this jacket, adding additional mechanical protection while facilitating visual identification of the cable.

The two mono conductors are held together by several black anodized aluminum pieces, laser-engraved with Cardas’ characteristic nautilus logo. A machined Delrin separator can slide along the cable to accommodate different headphone sizes and user morphologies.

The final outer diameter of each conductor reaches 4.31 mm, a compromise between flexibility and electrical performance. Despite this generous cross-section and reinforced shielding, the cable remains sufficiently flexible for comfortable daily use.

Technical Specifications

Performance

• Suitable for balanced and unbalanced headphones.
• Dual mono construction to separate channels and preserve signal purity.
• Neutral tonal balance, natural dynamics and exceptional level of detail.
• Designed for high-end headphones such as the Sennheiser HD800.

Connectors and Terminations

• Standard: Cardas 6.35 mm 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

• Conductors twisted in dual mono pairs.
• Antistatic LDPE air tubes, bound with carbon-impregnated PTFE tape.
• Outer layer: PTFE air tubes 1.618 times larger than central tubes.
• Shielding: 42 AWG tinned copper combined with magnetic wire.

Insulation and Jacket

• Dielectric wrapped with FEP tape.
• Ultra-flexible extruded TPR 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.
• High flexibility despite reinforced shielding and very pure conductors.
• Wide choice of terminations to suit almost all high-end headphones.