Cardas HP Iridium (2 x 5m)
Overview
The HP Iridium speaker cable from Cardas represents the culmination of more than three decades of research into audio signal transmission, integrating the renowned Golden Ratio Litz conductors into a flexible, high-performance construction. This model succeeds the legendary Twinlink Speaker cables and replaces a cornerstone of high-fidelity audio that dominated the audiophile market for over twenty years.
A Construction Based on the Mathematics of Nature
The design philosophy of the HP Iridium is rooted in the rigorous application of the Golden Ratio (1.618…), the mathematical proportion found throughout nature and used since antiquity in the greatest architectural works. George Cardas, a former telecommunications engineer who transitioned into high-end audio, developed this approach in 1983 by visualizing conductor distortions as harmonic resonances requiring a precise mathematical solution.
The conductors in the HP Iridium use a progressive stranding technique where each layer of strands follows a geometric progression based on the Golden Ratio. This method, protected by several US patents, eliminates common resonances between the conductor strands. Each copper strand features an individual enamel coating that must be removed using flux and a solder bath during termination, ensuring perfect electrical insulation between strands and suppressing the skin effect.
The cable integrates two 11.5 AWG conductors made from Grade 1 OFHC copper with an exceptional purity of 99.9999%. This raw material, produced to Cardas’s strict specifications by the last American manufacturer capable of achieving this level of purity, forms the foundation of all the brand’s cables from Iridium through to its flagship models.
Geometry and Dielectrics: The Pursuit of Transparency
The internal structure of the HP Iridium adopts a twisted pair configuration with a natural cotton filler held in place by a PTFE tape. This Cross-field layer geometry, combined with FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene) insulation, minimizes capacitive and inductive interactions while preserving the temporal coherence of the signal.
The extruded TPR (thermoplastic rubber) outer jacket offers remarkable flexibility for a cable of this cross-section. With an external diameter of just 10.54 mm, the HP Iridium remains easy to handle even in tight spaces, unlike many rigid and bulky audiophile cables. This flexibility greatly simplifies installation behind equipment or along baseboards, without compromising acoustic performance.
The supplied connectors, whether CGMS spades or CABE bananas, are machined by Cardas and hand-assembled at the workshops in Bandon, Oregon. Each termination undergoes rigorous quality control carried out by a team of nine specialized craftspeople led by Jesus Ornelas, who has worked for Cardas since 1993.
Universal Compatibility and Versatility
The HP Iridium stands out for its ability to adapt to virtually any amplifier/speaker combination on the market. Its balanced design suits both high-efficiency systems and speakers with more demanding current requirements. Available lengths ranging from 1 meter to 5 meters and beyond on request accommodate every installation configuration, whether for nearfield listening or a multichannel home theater setup.
The sonic signature of the HP Iridium favors a natural tonal balance with a rich and expressive midrange, tight and articulate bass, and smooth, detailed highs. This slightly warm yet uncolored presentation is particularly well suited to systems requiring additional refinement or to digital recordings that can sometimes be aggressive in the upper frequency range.
Technical specifications
Construction
- Conductors: Grade 1, 99.9999% pure OFHC copper with transparent SPN coating (Litz)
- Cross-sections calibrated according to the golden ratio
- Cross-layer geometry with twisted pairs
- Natural cotton filling held in place by PTFE tape
Insulation and jacket
- Insulation: FEP jacket
- Outer jacket: ultrasoft and flexible extruded TPR
Dimensions and specifications
- Cross-section: 2 × 11.5 AWG
- Outer diameter: 10.54 mm
Connectors
- Available terminations: spade or banana
- Spade connectors: Cardas CGMS
- Banana connectors: CABE
Performance
- Sound reproduction: rich mids, deep bass, smooth highs
- Very supple and flexible for its size
- Suitable for virtually all amplifier / speaker combinations
- Ideal for long or short distances
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the HP Iridium and Cardas's Clear models?
The HP Iridium uses Cardas’s traditional Golden Ratio Litz conductors, while the Clear range incorporates the patented Matched Propagation technology, which synchronizes the signal propagation speed with that of the dielectric materials. The HP Iridium offers a warmer, more affordable presentation, whereas the Clear models aim for absolute neutrality and maximum transparency.
How does Cardas Grade 1 copper compare to other conductors?
Cardas Grade 1 OFHC copper achieves a purity of 99.9999% (six nines), far exceeding standard industrial benchmarks. This ultra-purity, combined with the transparent SPN coating, ensures optimal conductivity and minimal oxidation over the long term. The production of this copper follows specifications developed specifically by George Cardas with the last American producer capable of meeting these requirements.
Does the HP Iridium require a specific break-in period?
Like all Cardas cables using Litz conductors with enamel insulation, the HP Iridium benefits from a break-in period of approximately 100 to 200 hours of normal use. During this period, the dielectric properties stabilize and the cable progressively reaches its optimal performance. A varied musical signal accelerates this process compared to a monotonous test signal.
Is the HP Iridium compatible with all types of speaker connectors?
Standard terminations include Cardas CGMS spades or CABE bananas, compatible with the vast majority of modern binding posts. For specific requirements, Cardas can produce custom terminations at its Bandon workshops. Connection quality remains critical to performance, which is why the precision-machined connectors supplied as standard are so important.
- Eco-contribution included in the sale price.
