Belden ICONOCLAST Interconnects and Speaker Cabling

Well that was pretty fast! I got two of the 12 AWG cables today. They are thick but flexible. The connectors are beautiful and fit snugly in my p12 and the DS senior. I’ll update with sound impressions in the next couple days as they break in.

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Curious why no flex sheathing. With the shiny terminations, even with plain black flex it would look like a much more expensive cable - or simply more “finished” than the Home Depot look of the cable with the print on it. Obviously it would add to the cost/price, but I would think still be extremely reasonable. Optional, maybe? There is certainly a cohort here for whom that would be worth it. Or worth it to their spouses, depending upon how much of it is in view/running across the floor.

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Agreed, Techflex is very reasonably priced.

Yep agree techflex would make it look more polished. Blue Jeans Cable does offer it as an option on some of their cables so I imagine it will come.

OK Techflex… I learned long ago that you can’t please everyone. On a regular basis I am asked if we can’t dress up Iconoclast cables with bling, rosewood boxes and custom colors. Techflex to me always looked like mesh stockings in one of the red light hotels on Kaiserstasse in Frankfurt. Everyone has an opinion. The most commonly asked for Techflex color on Iconoclast cables is “black.” I understand that some dislike red, green and violet and would rather have black. Wives don’t always like that bright red speaker cable running along the baseboard near that white Flokati rug. Now it appears that we have some that might like red, green and violet on “BAV” power cables.I have been wondering how we can quote Techflex on any cable but were do we stop on colors and with so many OD’s what range of materials do we inventory. And then there is the cost. And though it may seem simple, I wonder if it really makes sense.

We are playing around with a BAV speaker cable offering consisting of Belden 1313A and all gussied up like a young lady on prom night. Shown is this prototype with the welded/locking bananas. Do our entry level customers really want to pay the premium when it does not effect the performance in any way? I sure don’t want to open up a bag of worms but we are BJC and Iconoclast. Our goal and philosophy is to design and offer products based on science/physics, superior customer service and reasonable pricing. I will share with Kurt and Galen everyones comments to see if there is any traction. As Nieuwro stated, it may make sense to offer it on some BAV products.

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Blue Jeans offers simple but nice black techflex on their (thinner) audio cables for a dollar a foot (https://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/audio/index.htm). Don’t know what % of customers picks that, but I did at the time. A few extra bucks would be worth it for me. Simple black seems fitting for entry level BAV power cables. Can hardly imagine people would not pick that.

In the meantime I’ve been trying to find a reason for myself to buy some of these, but unfortunately all set with power cables for now. They surely seem great quality for the money.

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I agree with Mr Beefareeno. I really dislike the current unfinished look. If the techflex was an option, I’d pay extra for it…in black, please.

I, too, suggest offering black, but keep naked as the default.

If you want to be adventurous you could indicate other colors are available on request and to call for pricing and timing. This way if a customer really wants orange cables he can have them, but at a cost and delay.

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There are numerous Techflex options that don’t look like cheap mesh stockings; just to add to the variables of trying to please everyone :wink:

https://www.techflex.com/general-purpose

I like the naked look. Working in various server rooms all of our cables look like the ones in the original picture. Beefy with thick insulation and no gimmicks. I like the techflex look and it works well when bundling cables but the no-nonsense look and price are appealing to me. This looks like the “mission critical” stuff I’m used to seeing.

I never understood the wooden box appeal. Once you take the cables out, where do you put the box? What do you use it for? I guess you paid for it so you may as well get it, but I’d rather just pocket the savings. :slight_smile:

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Agreed, it would be more attractive and there is value in that over strictly utilitarian aesthetics.

Bob I’ve got the 1313A speaker cables I ordered through you and I wish this prototype option had been available when I ordered. I’m sure there’s no difference in performance but I’d rather have black speaker cables than the white I have now.

Bob,

I prefer basic black without techflex because my cables are behind cabinets and are not visible. I can see why people with cables in view might like to dress them up a bit, so I would encourage a techflex option for those who want it. To simplify inventory, black techflex might be sufficient without getting into multiple colors.

I hope the new power cables sound as good as they look.

Having an option for basic black sounds good to me. The wrap makes the cables feel different When installing or moving theem. The wrap also says that they aren’t stock power cords.
When I was building my cords from bulk cable I could/should have selected several different colors so that the color of the cord would indicate the type of equipment being powered or the length of the cord ( had I been consistent in cutting the lengths). It can be surprising how much the look and feel of products that are not usually seen nor felt can contribute to customer satisfaction. As an option, those we truly don’t care don’t pay any extra, and no harm is done.

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Bad beef,

Easy answer. These are the PRO market BAV product line. The pro’s don’t need cable coverings of any sort snagging and catching on every edge. No, no, no in this market. We sell the real McCoy with no fluff in this space.

Me, personally, tech flex mesh can look nice but is a snag hazard I’d rather not have in crowded racks. I’ve used both types of cables and tech flex organization is nice but the open weave does snag. Look at your “space” and decide. The pro space changes constantly so the rule is to meet the worst case, always.

We can add tech Flex as requested for the standard fee Blue Jeans covers (ha!) the addition for.

Best,
Galen Gareis

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We only recently decided to consider offering the 1313A as a BAV speaker product. In fact, 1313A is not listed as a BJC offering. Anyone interested can contact me directly for now. And I have to remember, the customer is always (well usually) right and we will do our best to accommodate everyone one way or another. I appreciate all of the input.

Bob,
I’m not blaming you or anyone at BJC; just wish it was available when I ordered. I understand that it’s your goal to improve your products when you’re able to. I’ll contact you via email about a pair as pictured.

Never heard or thought of the “snag hazard” with respect to Techflex. My experience with years of it on cables is it is very smooth and non-snaggy. I’ve never had it catch on anything, and in our use case here, it will lay down and not be exposed to any snagging hazards.

With regard to PRO market - you are not selling to them here. Stage/recording people would not be interested in a comparatively expensive cable like this, with big shiny costly plugs - to begin with. Not practical from either a physical or price perspective in that application. But that has little to do with this PS Audio market.

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I use tech flex, it snags. I removed it…end of problems in my use. Sharp corners and open weave is a snag, not sure how it can’t be. To a sharp edge this is not “smooth”.

The pro’s don’t want the BLING but do want durable plugs and cordage. This is designed to bring that to the table at reasonable costs.

Customers also want a good cord at proper pricing…sure, they can decide to add more features but that’s the point, THEY can decide verses US.

Blue Jeans sells large QTY of cable to the pro market. We now have durable cordage, too. True, this is a cross-over product so features can be added without making everyone buy it. This is in the BAV line, not the audiophile line although wholly appropriate for great cordage with a tested application feature. We won’t let the BAV line be hijacked from it’s main purpose. No bling, proper value for everyone. Work from there as needed.

Best,
Galen

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Not sure why you’re going defensive, but fair enough. This isn’t the pro market here on PS, however. And can’t imagine the pro market buying AC cables with big ends as on these. And this is not about Blue Jeans.

If you are selling Belden, I get it - sell it as such.

As with any other material, if Tech Flex is terminated properly/clamped under the ends of the cable, I’ve not had it ever snag.

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