Clarus Aqua MkII Speaker Cables, Pair

Clarus Aqua MkII Speaker Cables Product Description: 

Aqua - Exquisite Sound Reproduction for Discriminating Audiophiles

Clarus Aqua cables deliver many of the standout performance features found in the Crimson series, albeit with slightly smaller wire gauges. This reduction in size is not due to any form of scaling down but rather the result of meticulous design and evaluation by Clarus engineers. They have fine-tuned each Aqua cable to achieve peak performance from its unique topology. Similar to the Crimson cables, the Aqua series employs a multi-gauge configuration with three specially shaped and individually insulated conductors, offering exceptional bass, midrange, and high frequencies. This design ensures remarkable imaging and definition across the entire sound spectrum. The use of ultra-low-distortion PCCC conductors contributes to enhanced clarity, while the precision-formulated polyethylene (PE) insulation minimizes loss and ensures superior imaging and sound definition. The Clarus Aqua cables stand out in the audiophile market for their patented design breakthroughs and sound reproduction, much like their Crimson counterparts.

Exceptional Detail, Dynamics & Tonal Balance

Clarus speaker cables are crafted from the purest available copper, extruded into three distinct conductor geometries tailored for bass, midrange, and high frequencies. These conductors are meticulously insulated to minimize interference. The positive and negative conductors are arranged in a flat configuration, eliminating phase distortion and enhancing signal purity. The large gauge of the conductors reduces cable resistance, facilitating easier amplifier driving of the loudspeakers. This innovative design delivers sound that is open, transparent, and characterized by exceptional clarity, detail, dynamics, imaging, and tonal balance.

The Purest Copper Available for the Purest Sound Possible

Clarus crafts cables for discerning audiophiles using the purest copper available. Their Pure Continuous Cast Copper (PCCC) is produced through a proprietary mold extrusion process that generates extensive lengths of single-crystal copper. This copper is directional, free of impurities, flexible, corrosion-resistant, and features low electrical resistance with flawless structural boundaries, ensuring optimal performance.

Conductor Geometry Optimized for the Full Audio Spectrum

Clarus elevates cable engineering beyond basic wire gauge by leveraging eight years of research and five patents from independent designer Jay Victor. Their speaker cables feature three distinct conductor types, each optimized for different frequency ranges: bass, midrange, and high frequencies.

The design includes solid, heavy-gauge, round conductors with a broad cross-sectional area to enhance the transmission of low frequencies. High frequencies are channeled through an ultra-thin ribbon conductor wrapped around a non-conductive core. For midrange signals, Clarus employs a wide, flat conductor that lacks the depth to support low bass, while its insulated large surface area attenuates high frequencies, ensuring a smooth and accurate midrange. This precise mathematical balance of conductor shapes delivers superior musical clarity and tonal balance, surpassing conventional designs.

Flat Design Eliminates Phase Distortion

Traditional round speaker cables often have positive and negative conductors twisted together, a configuration that can lead to phase distortion and audible noise. In contrast, Clarus speaker cables employ a flat design that aligns the positive and negative conductors in parallel. This orientation eliminates phase distortion, resulting in enhanced sound quality and improved imaging.

Multiple Levels of Insulation Maintain Purity

Each of the conductors in Clarus speaker cables is independently insulated to minimize inter-conductor interference and maintain the clarity, openness, and transparency provided by a unique three-conductor design.

Mark II — The Final Connection

Clarus terminates its speaker cables with a choice of BFA-style banana plugs, spade lugs, or a combination of both, each crafted from military-grade beryllium copper—a lightweight, springy alloy that ensures low-loss connections. Beryllium copper’s strong memory characteristic allows it to spring back to its original shape when displaced, making it ideal for connectors that experience tension, which Clarus refers to as “Spring Tension” connector technology.

Typical banana plugs feature four spring-type sections that make contact with only a small area inside the binding post receptacle, which can lead to a loss of tension and intermittent connections over time. Clarus' Mark II Spring Tension BFA Banana Plug connectors are designed to address this issue. Their cylindrical shape compresses inward upon insertion, making 360 degrees of contact and ensuring a secure electrical connection. The resilience of the beryllium copper causes the cylindrical shape to spring back to its original form, guaranteeing consistent sonic fidelity.

The Clarus Mark II Spring Tension Spade Lug connectors are uniquely engineered to solve common issues with high-end speaker binding posts. Standard spade lugs often face problems with insufficient contact and potential vibration loosening when tightened by hand. Clarus’ spade lugs are made from solid beryllium copper with a center slice machined out of the U terminal. This design allows the terminal to flex and compress when tightened, with the beryllium copper's springiness acting like a lock washer. This creates lasting tension and maintains a secure electrical contact, ensuring no loss of musical fidelity.