For many years, in-akustik’s AIR technology has been one of the established design concepts in the high-end cable sector. With its Air-Helix architecture, the technology is designed to consistently minimize the physical factors that can influence signal transmission. The Reference AIR series now receives a technical update in the area of connector design.
The new generation of BFA Banana 360° and Spade 360° connectors replaces the previous set-screw fixation system with a tool-free threaded locking collar. This modification significantly simplifies handling while maintaining the fundamental electrical and mechanical characteristics of the connector system.
Focus on Connection Technology
While high-end cables often focus primarily on conductor geometry or dielectric materials, the quality of the connection technology plays an equally important role. Contact resistance, long-term contact stability and mechanical stress directly influence signal transmission at the connection point.
The Reference AIR connectors continue to use tellurium copper as the contact material. The rhodium-plated surface provides exceptional hardness, high resistance to wear and consistently stable contact conditions over a large number of mating cycles.
The connection between the conductor and the contact element is achieved through direct mechanical compression with a contact pressure of 1.5 tons. Solder joints are deliberately avoided within the signal path in order to eliminate the use of less conductive solder material and to prevent thermally induced stresses at the connection point.
Three-Axis Ball Joint Design Remains a Key Feature
A central element of the connector concept remains the integrated three-axis ball joint. It allows flexible alignment of the connector in multiple directions and reduces mechanical forces that could otherwise be transferred to equipment sockets and loudspeaker terminals.
This ensures even pressure distribution across the contact surfaces and helps maintain stable electrical connections.
According to measurements, the transition resistance of the ball joint is significantly below 0.05 milliohms. By comparison, a typical 1-meter loudspeaker cable with a conductor cross-section of 2.5 mm² already exhibits a loop resistance of approximately 20 milliohms, while conventional loudspeaker terminals typically measure between 1 and 3 milliohms.
The new threaded locking collar replaces the previous two set screws and enables tool-free installation. This is particularly beneficial in confined spaces behind audio components, where connector handling becomes considerably easier.
AIR Technology remains unchanged at its Core
The new connector generation complements the existing AIR technology, while its fundamental design principle remains unchanged.
The Air-Helix construction continues to represent the core engineering concept of the Reference AIR cables. It enables an almost 100% air dielectric environment between the signal conductors. As a dielectric material, air reduces capacitance to an absolute minimum and avoids the dielectric losses associated with solid insulation materials.
Specially developed clips provide the mechanical support structure and guide the conductors through the cable in a free-floating helix configuration. Two connecting bridges maintain the clips in a precisely defined position, ensuring the required spacing between conductors as well as the mechanical stability of the construction.
The result is extremely low capacitance and minimal dielectric losses.
Continuous Evolution instead of a new Development
AIR technology has been continuously refined over many years and has become established worldwide in numerous high-end audio systems.
With the introduction of the new connector generation, in-akustik continues this development process by optimizing an area that is highly relevant in everyday high-end audio applications: the interface between cable and component.
The new BFA Banana 360° and Spade 360° connectors are now used in the Reference AIR loudspeaker cables:
LS-8005 AIR
LS-4005 AIR
LS-2405 AIR
available in both copper and pure silver versions.
All Reference AIR cables are handcrafted in the company’s own manufactory in Ballrechten-Dottingen, Germany, and individually tested before shipment.
Availability and Pricing
LS-2405 AIR from 3.779 EUR (2 x 2,0 m)
LS-4005 AIR from5.960 EUR (2 x 2,0 m)
LS-8005 AIR from15.820 EUR (2 x 2,0 m)
LS-2405 AIR Pure Silver from16.920 EUR (2 x 2,0 m)
LS-4005 AIR Pure Silver from27.460 EUR (2 x 2,0 m)
LS-8005 AIR Pure Silver from70.630 EUR (2 x 2,0 m)
BFA Banana 360° / Spade 360° – Technical Specifications
- Contact material: Tellurium copper (conductivity >50 MS/m)
- Surface finish: Rhodium-plated
- Conductor connection: Direct compression with 1.5 tons of contact pressure, solder-free
- Transition resistance: <0.05 milliohm
- Fixation: Tool-free threaded locking collar (replaces set screws)
- Alignment: Three-axis ball joint design
- Application: LS-2405 AIR, LS-4005 AIR, LS-8005 AIR (copper and pure silver versions)
