The RCA and XLR IC have used the tech in the series II so yes, you are missing something. I’ve covered the series II RCA and XLR several times, they both use Vp flattened designs. The speaker cable was just second to get the “treatment”.
We do say GEN I or II and SERIES I or II interchangably and that is our bad for that as they are the same cable update. The right Donky was found for that tail, sorry.
Best,
Galen
Thanks Galen. It won’t be the last thing I get wrong.
And my 4X4 OCC XLRs are sounding just beautiful, thank you.
Ron
A post was split to a new topic: For sale: 8 ft. pair of Icono SPTPC speaker cables
@rower30, I just confirmed with my speaker manufacturer that my LF crossover point is 350Hz. How does that play into how optimally a Series I / Series II combination will work?
Tony,
No problem at all. Look at the Vp chart below, and you can see there is a pretty FLAT region where the Vp changes slowly as it approaches ZIP, DC. The lower the cross-over the better the match. 1.5% or so in your case.
Some two-way designs that cross over much higher, like 2K or so, MIGHT benefit from series II upper and lower. The Vp offset is only 4% @ 2K, though, so that is unlikely.
If you experience a difference it isn’t from the Vp blending. It is probably the damping factor of the amp seeing the two cables differently enough based on the DCR. Even that’s unlikely as the CMA is pretty stout. I’ve played with this a lot and don’t hear a difference except the cost!
Best,
Galen
My LF has a 400 Hz crossover. The series II are seamless in my system. They do have a bit of break in. Great out of rhe box then constrict and muddy at times . Then open up back up even clearer. So give them 7 to 10 days normal listening.
I don’t know if insulation dielectric reforming with current or metal but small diameter wire sound did fluctuate a bit then settled.
I experienced same kind of break in cycle too. Sounded great out cold but after a week or so it got more relaxed and even more revealing and natural. Really enjoying my system now with full loom of Iconoclasts and these Series2 speaker cables have transformed soundstage accuracy and overall impact and emotion of music to another level.
But we still need i2s hdmi and usb from Galen 
It´s never “done” 
Great wish list. I would add power cables to the that group too 
. I have Icono SII cables coming next week.
Thanks for the break-in update.
I’ve been fortunate to be able to audition a set of the new Iconoclast Series II speaker cables over the past few weeks.
This new design most definitely advances the sonics over the already excellent Series I Iconoclasts, but does so in a way that is an extension of the sound of original series which, in my mind, underscores the engineering discipline that Galen applies in the design. Thus, a brief revisit of my experience with the Series I TPC and SPTPC variants will be helpful.
When I compared the Series I TPC and SPTPC copper variants (I did not try the OFE version), the TPC cables produced a wider soundstage with more focused voices, but one that was constrained at the forward plane of speakers. (Note: I use the term “voice” to refer to the individual images of instruments as well as vocalists.) In contrast, the SPTPC pulled the soundstage more towards the center area between the speakers, but also produced a bit of a forward “bulge” in the soundstage between the speakers that gave the effect of pushing the performance slightly in front of the plane of the speakers and into the room.
While the SPTPC cables would produce images beyond the outside edges of my speakers, depending on the material I sometimes perceived the soundstage to end abruptly at the outside boundaries of the speakers. This was simply an observation and not troubling to me. Given my setup, both cables provided a very satisfying presentation, but with some obvious trade-offs.
The one thing that the SPTPC cables did have is– as Vmax put it in his comments – is that FAT midrange. Not an over-emphasis but something akin to the midrange “glow” that tube circuits are noted for. In my system, the TPC cables seemed more “accurate” in some ways, but less involving. SPTPC came across as more relaxed and engaging through the mids, and the center “bulge” created a palpable presence of the performance taking place in the room, especially with smaller ensembles.
At the time, I discussed my impressions with Galen in a PM and he responded with an analogy to “dots,” which effectively condenses my ramblings, above, into a single paragraph. He used the word “dots” in the same way I use “voices.” Here’s Galen schooling me on how speaker cables influence imaging:
“My description is it is like DOTS. Some cables make them BIGGER, some BLUR them, and some form more of a sphere in space. If the dots are too fuzzy and big, the sound stage is larger, but has less left to right space. It sits in your lap more. More precision in the dots, or the definition of the sphere, allows better DISTANCE between each sound and throws the perception of the image farther to the left, right and back in the sound stage.”
For my ears, the warmer mids and the more holographic enveloping center soundstage won the trade-off.
Now on to the Series II TPC
• Cold and out of the box the “fat” midrange and center soundstage “bulge” were gone, but there was significantly greater clarity to the soundstage. Overall, things were a tad more “analytical” than my Series I SPTPC, but not at all fatiguing. Like the Series I TPC the soundstage was pulled back to plane of speakers but extended wider left to right. That “boundary” I occasionally perceived at outside edges of speakers was also gone.
• I did not hear less bass, but a more engaging bass, especially on acoustic instruments as fretwork, fingers on strings, mechanical noises, higher harmonic overtones are more apparent. All of which combined to present a more realistic impression of the instrument.
• Individual “voices” were more focused and better separated in space.
In comparison to both Series I TPC and SPTPC versions of the cable:
• The soundstage is more expansive to the rear, and I perceived it to be more “square” and less “U” shaped. That is, the rearmost images in the soundstage extend farther to the left and right instead of being compressed slightly towards the center.
• Lyrics are more distinct and intelligible.
• I hear more harmonics from resonating instruments and “mechanical” cues from instruments (reediness of sax, valves of trumpet working, breaths being taken, fingers on fretboards, etc.). Timbres become more complex.
• The low-level detail at the back of the soundstage is more intelligible. A good example is on the track “The Real Blues” on “Summer Wind, Live at the LOA,” by the Ray Brown Trio. At about 38 seconds into the track, during a pause in Ray’s intro to the number a cell phone goes off waaay in the back of the audience, triggering light laughter among the audience. The offending phone sounded much more realistic with the Series II – located in space and with the associated room acoustics from its ringing intact. Quite remarkable.
As the cables continue to burn in:
• Most, but not all, of the “Fat” midrange has returned, and the sound seems to have become more relaxed, though not a bit less detailed. The individual voices are more focused than before.
• I can play the system louder without increasing fatigue. In fact, there IS no fatigue. Increasing the volume pushes the entire soundstage slightly forward of the plane of speakers instead of just a “bubble” between the speakers.
• As Vmax noted, the window into the sound isn’t just wiped clean, there seemingly is no window at all (or so it seems until something more revealing eventually comes along).
• My takeaway is that the Series II TPC cables somehow manage to combine best attributes of both of the Series I TPC and SPTPC variations in addition to advancing the state of the design. Galen’s “dots” are sublimely focused and suspended in an expansive soundstage. All while retaining that midrange ease.
• Out of curiosity I will try the Series II SPTPC when they become available, if only to test Galen’s hypothesis that the silver plating might have less effect. But I wouldn’t be at all surprised if design has finally caught up with materials in this case.
Bravo!
Wow, there’s a review. 
Neat.
I would agree with @hthaller that observation. The noises from crowd have much more spatial depth and location. Stimela (The Coal Train) by Hugh Masekela demonstrates this well. There is a Gentleman in the crowd yelling out his enthusiasms of All Right! All Right! then a perfunctory Goddd Damn!! I always listen for him between cable changes be it power, digital, speaker, IC, or 3M absorber or foil shielding. His journey started in my system up on stage loud and proud like talking into the stage microphone. Slowly he has made his journey with each tweak first to front row then before this about 3rd row. Each improvement more space and more realistic and clear but less volume compared to performers milling on stage. After the series II TPC he is now maybe row 5 or 6. With even more space but also more clarity and less volume. I equate to more distance and realism. Other closer to mike crowd noises are more forward but louder than they started.
These cables not only allow you to hear it, but realistically.
Not sure I noticed a U shape prior but still hoping SPTPC will add some nuance improvement also.
Maybe not the best description, but the Series II noticeably expanded the rearmost corners of my soundstage laterally to the left and right. So, in comparison, the Series I rear soundstage was slightly constricted towards the center. One of those things you don’t notice until something better focuses your attention.
Appreciate the kind comments.
I figured the Icono-community would appreciate some details.
Bob at BJC is managing a soft launch of sorts, so feel free to ask if some of that first run is available.
I may have missed it, do we know when the Series II SPTPC are going to be available?
I sent Bob a PM asking that same question and ended up with a pair in my listening room.
I envisioned a U with bottom out. Yes i agree rear back corners expanded as well as another move backwards in depth. Thanks for clarifying. Sounds like aour systems improved similarly.
Sorry, V, I misread ypur post. I asked Bob that question and his response was that there hasn’t been a production run made with SPTPC yet. His best guess was 4 - 6 months.
The TPC is apparently available right now on a limited basis if you contact him directly. The good news is that the BJC cable trade-up policy still applies. Full credit from BJC if you trade up to the SPTPC Series II in the same length within a year.
Holy Bazoogers! Is that a word?
Howard, like Darrell you have written a truly masterful review. I am humbled by both of you and your communication/writing skills. Not everyone has the ability or the audio vocabulary to accurately convey the sense of difference, good or bad in something that is so often considered the “muffler bearing” of audio.
We genuinely thank you for such a detailed narrative. I’m sure glad it would have not gone the other way with either of your abilities to convey. I would have had to pack it all up in the suitcase, place my tail between my legs and caught a Greyhound to the FL Keys for my remaining years! Could be worse!
I think I like best, the simplification of the soundstage stage to “Dots.” That is surely something that we can all relate to. It is the presentation of “on the plane” with the speakers or “behind, forward or outside” of the physical speaker placement within our space that is remarkable.
I often enjoy both eyes wide open as apposed to closing my eyes when visualizing the “system presentation” as compared to the actual “live venue” experience whether it be the intimate jazz club, symphony orchestra, live rock concert or other event. Don’t forget the all important “image height!” I think it important that audiophile make it a point to attend such events when “possible!”
In any event, you, Darrell and Sami in Finland have all contributed greatly to affirming the great success that Galen has achieved in the Series II speaker cable design. There are a growing number of other affirmations outside of the forum community also coming in. So far we are batting “1000!” Not bad!
Thank you very much for your willingness to sit down, take the time to organize and write your thoughts and impressions and then post them publicly on our “continually growing” forum!
I was going to make a smart *ss remark about your checks in the mail, but I think at least most would see right through me!
Great cables and certainly worth a try!
So grateful! Thank you!
Bob
Thanks Bob
Well, this forum is kind of a special place, so I figured the nice folks here deserved some extra effort…
Remember, the “dots” were Galen’s construct and who better, like Einstein, to make things as simple as possible, but not simpler. 
