The Hertz Connection FT Series 2-Channel Professional Grade RCA Interconnect Cable represents the "First" series in Hertz's professional audio cable lineup, specifically engineered for exceptional value without compromising on professional-grade performance. These cables feature nickel-plated connectors with split tips for improved performance over time, tug-proof sealed internal connections for maximum durability, and a soft-touch semi-transparent outer jacket for enhanced cosmetics. The FT Series cables deliver professional installation quality at an accessible price point, making them ideal for serious enthusiasts who demand reliable performance.
Professional Split-Tip Connector Technology
The FT2 series features nickel-plated connectors with split-tip technology, designed for improved performance over time. Unlike standard RCA connectors that can lose contact pressure with repeated use, the split-tip design maintains consistent electrical contact and signal integrity through thousands of connection cycles. The nickel plating provides superior corrosion resistance compared to standard brass connectors, ensuring long-term reliability in mobile and marine environments where moisture and temperature fluctuations are typical.
Enhanced Installation Features
The FT2 cables feature right-angle connectors on one end to facilitate challenging installations, making them ideal for space-constrained automotive and professional audio setups. The tug-proof sealed internal connection design prevents the common failure mode of internal wire separation that occurs with standard cables under mechanical stress. This robust construction ensures reliable performance even in vibration-prone mobile environments where standard interconnects often fail.
Balanced Noise Rejection Design
The balanced twisted pair conductors ensure maximum noise rejection, utilizing multiple twisted pair constructions to eliminate electromagnetically induced interference. This professional-grade cable geometry effectively rejects common-mode noise from alternators, ignition systems, and other automotive electrical components that can degrade audio quality. The result is pristine signal transmission that preserves the dynamic range and spatial characteristics of your original audio source.
The FT Series introduces professional split-tip connector technology that fundamentally improves long-term electrical performance compared to standard RCA designs. Traditional solid-tip RCA connectors rely on spring tension from the female jack to maintain electrical contact, which can degrade over time due to metal fatigue and wear. The split-tip design creates multiple contact points that distribute mechanical stress while maintaining consistent electrical pressure, ensuring signal integrity remains stable through thousands of connection cycles.
Tug-Proof Internal Construction
Professional installations often subject cables to mechanical stress during installation and service access. The FT2 series addresses this challenge with tug-proof sealed internal connections that prevent conductor separation under stress. This construction technique bonds the conductor to the connector assembly using professional-grade techniques that exceed standard consumer cable construction. The sealed design also prevents moisture intrusion, critical for marine applications and humid environments where standard cables often fail.
Right-Angle Installation Optimization
Space constraints in modern vehicles and professional audio installations often require creative cable routing solutions. The FT2 series features a right-angle connector on one end specifically designed to aid in tough installations where clearance is limited. This thoughtful design element allows for clean installations behind head units, in tight amplifier compartments, and around complex dashboard configurations without the need for additional adapters or excessive cable slack that can create interference loops.
Professional Twisted Pair Geometry
The balanced twisted pair conductor configuration represents a significant upgrade from parallel conductor designs found in basic RCA cables. This geometry naturally cancels electromagnetic interference through the principle of common-mode rejection, where induced noise appears equally on both conductors and is cancelled when the differential signal is extracted. This professional technique is essential in mobile audio environments where alternator whine, ignition noise, and switching power supply interference can severely degrade audio quality.
Enhanced Cosmetic Design
The soft touch semi-transparent outer jacket provides enhanced cosmetics while maintaining professional flexibility and durability. Unlike opaque jackets that hide internal construction, the semi-transparent design allows visual inspection of conductor integrity while maintaining the professional appearance required for high-end installations. The soft touch surface treatment improves handling during installation and provides superior flexibility for routing through complex paths.
Corrosion-Resistant Nickel Plating
Marine and automotive environments expose audio cables to temperature extremes, humidity, and corrosive elements that rapidly degrade standard brass connectors. The professional nickel plating on FT2 connectors provides superior corrosion resistance compared to gold plating, which can be prone to porosity and galvanic corrosion in harsh environments. Nickel's inherent durability and excellent electrical conductivity make it the preferred choice for professional installations where long-term reliability is paramount.
What makes the FT Series different from standard RCA cables available at electronics stores?
The FT Series represents professional installation-grade construction with several key advantages over consumer cables. The nickel-plated split-tip connectors maintain electrical contact pressure over time, preventing the signal degradation common with standard cables. The tug-proof sealed internal connections prevent conductor separation under installation stress, while the balanced twisted pair geometry provides superior noise rejection in electromagnetically challenging environments like vehicles.
What length should I choose for my specific installation?
Select the shortest length that comfortably reaches your connection points while allowing for service access and cable management. The 1m (3.3ft) FT2 100.2 works well for most head unit to amplifier connections, while the 2.5m (8.2ft) FT2 250.2 is ideal for trunk-mounted amplifiers. Longer lengths like the 4.5m and 5.5m models are designed for complex installations requiring extensive cable routing or multiple amplifier configurations.
How do the balanced twisted pair conductors reduce noise compared to standard parallel conductor cables?
Parallel conductor cables act like antennas that pick up electromagnetic interference equally on both conductors, but this noise is additive to the signal. Twisted pair geometry causes interference to be induced equally on both conductors but with opposite polarity due to the twisting. When the differential signal is extracted at the receiving end, the common-mode noise cancels out while the desired audio signal is preserved, resulting in dramatically improved signal-to-noise ratio.
Can I use these cables for subwoofer connections, or are they only for full-range signals?
The FT Series cables are excellent for subwoofer applications, handling the full audio frequency spectrum with equal fidelity. The balanced twisted pair construction is particularly beneficial for subwoofer signals, as low-frequency electromagnetic interference from alternators and power supplies can cause audible disturbances, such as alternator whine. The professional conductor geometry effectively rejects these common interference sources while preserving the dynamic impact of bass frequencies.
What advantages does the right-angle connector provide in professional installations?
The right-angle connector eliminates the need for additional adapters in space-constrained installations, reducing potential failure points and signal path complexity. It's particularly valuable behind head units where rear clearance is limited, in amplifier installations where cable management is critical, and in custom dashboard integrations where clean cable routing is essential for professional appearance. The 90-degree configuration also reduces stress on both the cable and equipment connectors.
How does nickel plating compare to gold plating for long-term reliability?
While gold plating offers excellent corrosion resistance, it can be prone to porosity that allows underlying metals to oxidize, and it's relatively soft and prone to wear. Nickel plating provides superior hardness and durability, excellent electrical conductivity, and outstanding corrosion resistance in automotive and marine environments. For professional installations subject to temperature extremes and mechanical stress, nickel plating offers better long-term reliability and consistent electrical performance.
What installation practices will maximize the performance of these cables?
Route cables away from power cables and switching power supplies to minimize interference pickup. Use the shortest practical length to reduce signal loss and noise susceptibility. Secure cables properly to prevent mechanical stress on connectors, and ensure all system components share a standard ground reference. The right-angle connector should be positioned to minimize cable stress. The tug-proof internal construction allows for reasonable installation forces without damaging internal connections.
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