In-akustik, a pioneer in audiophile cable manufacturing since 1977, has elevated the high-fidelity experience with its fifth-generation Referenz AIR cables, powered by the groundbreaking AIR Technology. Engineered to deliver music with unmatched clarity and emotional depth, these cables are setting a new benchmark for high-end audio systems, ensuring studio and live recordings are reproduced with minimal loss and maximum authenticity.
Air as primary dielectric
At the core of this innovation is the Air Helix architecture, a unique design that uses air as the primary dielectric to minimize capacitance and eliminate dielectric losses. Unlike traditional cables that rely on materials like PVC, which can increase capacitance and distort signals, the Referenz AIR cables feature conductors suspended freely within the cable, guided by meticulously crafted clips. This point-to-point Air Helix structure ensures low-loss signal transmission, preserving the original sound’s integrity.
It’s not magic, it’s a great cable, says Holger Wachsmann, in-akustik’s product developer and mastermind behind AIR Technology. The best cables are those that lose the least of the original sound.
Referenz AIR cables
The Referenz AIR cables, including models like the LS-4005 AIR speaker cable and NF-2405 AIR Pure Silver interconnect, tackle key factors that degrade audio quality: resistance, inductance, capacitance, and skin effects. By employing multicore structures and Cross Link Super Speed waveguides, the cables reduce inductance and ensure homogeneous signal transport, even for extreme current peaks. A PE network jacket replaces conventional sheaths, avoiding capacitance-enhancing materials and protecting against micro-vibrations. Each cable is handcrafted in in-akustik’s German facility, with pressure-grouted contacts using 1.5 tonnes of force for low contact resistance, eliminating the need for solder and its associated drawbacks.
Conductor material
Conductor material is paramount, and in-akustik uses only the purest oxygen-free copper (OFC) or pure silver. Copper is rigorously tested for purity before being drawn into fine wires, while pure silver, with its superior conductivity of 61.35 S/m (6% better than copper), offers faster electron drift speed for enhanced detail across all frequencies. Unlike silver-plated cables, which can sound metallic, pure silver conductors deliver a charismatic, natural tone.
The LS-4005 AIR, for instance, comprises 354 components, including 4,601 meters of copper wire and a 1,723-meter PE monofilament, with 1,904 holes in its Air Helix structure, showcasing the intricate craftsmanship involved. Reviewers have praised its ability to create a wider, deeper soundstage with precise dynamics and a darker background, elevating system performance significantly. The NF-2405 AIR Pure Silver, designed for analog connections, uses rhodium-plated tellurium copper connectors for durability and conductivity, ensuring even the smallest signals, like those from MM or MC phono systems, are transmitted flawlessly.
Pursuit of audiophile perfection
In-akustik’s commitment to physics over “voodoo” has resonated with audiophiles worldwide. Critics have described the cables as delivering “shattering presence and immediacy” and “sovereign bass with exceptional dynamics,” making them a transformative upgrade for high-end systems. As Wachsmann emphasizes, the goal is to let the music speak, preserving the artist’s emotions—whether subtle or orchestral—with vibrant, unadulterated clarity. Available now, the Referenz AIR series is a testament to in-akustik’s 46-year pursuit of audiophile perfection.
