Balanced Cables Explained for Beginner Audiophiles

Explore the realm of balanced cables through this beginner-friendly video. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the core principles behind balanced audio connections and their ability to elevate your listening pleasure. Discover the advantages that balanced cables present, including enhanced signal integrity, minimized interference, and improved channel separation. Whether you're a newcomer to the audiophile community or seeking to broaden your understanding, this video offers valuable knowledge about balanced cables. Join us as we demystify the concept and empower you to unleash the full capabilities of your headphone system.

[@bwloawesome]

I've purposefully watched a few different channels attempt to explain balanced vs unbalanced and this video BY FAR nails it better than all the rest. Very well done, sir.

[@headphone_zone]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TheRebelLion13]

Thank you very much for making this video. This, so far, is the most detailed and understandable by layman's standards, explanation of balanced termination cables.

[@headphone_zone]

Hey there, Glad you found it helpful! Thanks for your kind words! 🎶

[@bennetgeorgeblesan1836]

This channel is a goldmine!

[@headphone_zone]

Thank you so much for the kind words! We're thrilled to be your goldmine of audio knowledge and recommendations. If you ever have more questions or need guidance on anything audio-related, don't hesitate to reach out. Keep the music playing! 🎶🎧🌟

[@geneva93]

Absolutely the best explanation I've found about this topic. I'm a subscriber even if I go deaf!

[@headphone_zone]

Glad you liked our content so much, welcome to the community!

[@gauravkailain]

Thanks, I experienced improved resolution and better bass quality on my Hexas with fiio btr7!

[@wonjoomin]

Thank you for your explanation!! I finally understand it

[@headphone_zone]

You're welcome! We are glad we could help clarify things for you. If you have any more questions or need further explanations, feel free to ask anytime!

[@RoelA.Garcia]

Thank you so much, that's very informative

[@YASCYT]

Excellent video. Explained very well using simple terms.

[@headphone_zone]

Glad you like our content, stay tuned for more!

[@Ranodeep014]

great content 👍

[@UmeshDhingra]

Thanks Raghav. Another eight minutes of perfect gyan ! Makes the using ( listening) through my IEM lot more interesting ! And a suggestion ; can we listen to you , in near future ;what’s new happening in DAC / headphones in next few months. Thanks !! ❤

[@RaghavSomani-HeadphoneZone]

In that case sir, we'll have to start a news channel with all the happenings. Oh gosh...

[@banestock]

@@RaghavSomani-HeadphoneZone please do!

[@MrPopo-bd1ix]

Thank you for explaining clearly to us beginner audiophiles.

[@headphone_zone]

Glad it was helpful!

[@PARTHPATEL-yr3vb]

This man is purely gem 💎

[@headphone_zone]

💙🫶🏻

[@techy5876]

Needed some recommended products on balanced cables.

[@barlow2976]

Thank you, very informative.

[@headphone_zone]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sachinmajotra9665]

Keep these videos coming

[@grassblade2]

Thank you. That's probably one of the simplest, thorough, explanations on here. So, if I've got your explanations right...all the 4.4mm gives you is a 'better' connection. Separate Grounds? That sounds more fruity on its own. With my very limited understanding of electrickery, that would be wiser on its own, although more power is always nice, if things aren't split up fully there's always going to be opportunity for stuff to bung up. My question....Will I be wasting my time rooting out a 4.4mm MMCX cable for my Shure 215's?

[@headphone_zone]

Hey there, thank you for your kind words! We are glad the explanation was helpful to you. Certainly! The 4.4mm connection offers potential benefits like improved connection quality. Separate grounds aim to reduce interference. Upgrading to a 4.4mm MMCX cable for your Shure SE215s could bring improvements, but the impact varies based on cable design and your IEMs' capabilities. It's worth considering if you're seeking potential enhancements in sound quality and connectivity. Make sure to choose a quality cable that's compatible with your SE215s. Keep the music playing! 🎶🎧

[@grassblade2]

Thank you for getting back to me. That was my take on it...Just Better, ok more expensive, but 'Better'. I get that. Maybe not easily noticeable...maybe. Each step I have taken so far has been an improvement. The Law Of Diminishing Returns has to cut in somewhere though. I might well give it a bash. Thanks again for your post.

[@DANNY678ism]

Good explanation

[@AbbaLang]

Great explainer. I recently got the Hexa and the Tanchjim Space. This video convinced me to get a balanced cable to make the most of it all.

[@headphone_zone]

Hey there, we're so glad it helped, Keep the music playing!

[@Zayedsshorts]

HI I have 3.5 headphones, can I use 3.5 female to 4.4 male adapter to benefit the full sound quality?

[@belphegor_dev]

No.

[@rishikesan1204]

Think before going to balanced cable. I too jumped into balanced cable for my Hexa after consulting with Headphone guru. Since I had Fiio BTR7 and it has fairly high balanced out, I bought a good balanced cable for it. Learnt one thing from it. Only the loudness increases, say 20%. The loudness muddies clarity which I literally hate. The stock Hexa's 3.5m cable itself is very good with clarity and I can listen for long hours without ear pain. I felt it's waste of money by purchasing Tripowin C8 for hexa. I guess balanced out/cables make sense when powered with only power hungry IEMS or headphones.

[@afraza5946]

Excellent, planning to get a portable dac amp and a balanced cable for my new HE400SE (they're pretty power hungry). I should be sorted with those.

[@Samuk190Tutoriais]

@@afraza5946 you dont need a balanced cable if your amp is good enough to drive

[@vivektanavde]

Thanks Raghav for this clear explanation. I recently upgraded to balanced cables for my 99 classics and can easily feel the difference. A quick question: For IEMs which are not power hungry, will the increased power provided by a balanced cable matter?

[@052RC]

Everyone is going to get mad at me for saying this, but balanced headphones and cables are absolutely nothing like what everyone thinks they are. Your headphones are speakers just like the full size ones in your house, just smaller. Your balanced headphone cable can accommodate 4 separate conductors. +&- for the left speaker, and +&- for the right speaker. Just like in your home stereo system. Its identical, There is nothing balanced about the cable, signal or the speakers. To call a headphone amp balanced, the way products are currently marketed, is dishonest. The people that make these things don't want to tell you what they are really doing, so they call it balanced. In reality, its bridged. To bridge a stereo amp, you combine the left and right channels into one channel, and that doubles the power output in watts. So, for a stereo headphone amp, they start with 4 channels and bridge them to 2. A balanced headphone amp is really a bridged headphone amp. Balancing an audio signal is clearly something else. They are 2 separate things that have nothing to do with each other. The technical reason they get away with calling a headphone amp balanced is in order to bridge the 4 channels into 2, you need to balance the signal at the input. You can't share a common ground. The real reason its marketed as balanced is to avoid calling the amp bridged, and the negatives associated with it. When you bridge 2 channels into 1, its not a mono amp. The bridging process doubles the power output in watts, but it also halves the resistance a speaker shows the amp. For example, if you have an 8 ohm speaker under normal conditions, its literally a 4 ohm speaker when connected to a bridged amp. The end result is you get more power, but you make the speaker a lot more difficult to drive. The benefits of bridging an amp is questionable. If you have a speaker that your amp has to work hard to drive, bridging may give you better sound quality. If your amp is driving a speaker with no problems, the amp can sound worse bridged. Unfortunately, this is how the industry works. They call headphone amps balanced in hopes you won't figure out what they are really doing. This whole concept is identical to bridging amps in a regular full size system. I understand that some people are going to want to argue with me on this. This is something you can figure out on your own just by looking it up in a text book, or similar reference, just like I did. You're dealing with connection to connection signal balancing and amplifier bridging. You won't have any problem finding info on any of this.

[@Tassadar4Ever]

Thank you!!

[@tikumenon]

Thanks Raghav. What cable do I use for connecting a Demo AH-D7200 headphone to a FiiO K3 DAC with a 2.2mm output socket ?

[@gavrielmuellejans4345]

What in your opinion are some of the best, most accessible/affordable options for hearing a balanced connection for the first time? I want to listen with the 4.4mm pentaconn connection on my Hip Dac 2, but am having trouble finding balanced headphones in my price range. Excellent video!

[@headphone_zone]

For a balanced audio experience without overspending, consider upgrading your current headphones or IEM cables to balanced ones. Alternatively, if your gear doesn't support balanced cables, think about investing in models that do. Look for options with a 4.4mm connection to ensure compatibility with your Hip Dac 2. This simple tweak can enhance your audio setup without breaking the bank. Consider models like the Moondrop Aria 2 or the Oriveti OD200, which come bundled with balanced cables. If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to reach out.

[@gavrielmuellejans4345]

Any over-ear headphone recommendations?

[@BrandonS2K43]

I have a fiio new k3 and Sennheiser hd560s, ordered a balanced cable and i cant wait to hear thw different

[@headphone_zone]

Keep us updated!!

[@BrandonS2K43]

@@headphone_zone it's still in shipping, I ordered from hart audio cables, an XLR 2.5mm to 2.5mm

[@princeajaz9167]

Nicely explained again. If we can get some recommendations for purchase in the end, it will be like a sweet dish after the main course🙂

[@RaghavSomani-HeadphoneZone]

Recommendations for purchase? Do you mean a balanced cable ? There are so many of them...

[@princeajaz9167]

@@RaghavSomani-HeadphoneZone yes. We will be happy with your few picks....

[@headphone_zone]

Hey there, thank you for the suggestion.

[@District.24]

Excellent explanation. Thank you.

[@headphone_zone]

Glad it was helpful!

[@seenubanu5407]

keep do these kinds of videos

[@headphone_zone]

Hey there, thank you! We have a lot more content planned, do keep an eye out on the channel.

[@mickyj8412]

Is there a way to using balanced in a music venue setting for in ear monitoring?

[@SS-rg4hi]

This video is exactly i was looking for, recently got Sennheiser IE 900. I was suggested to use balanced cables with a capable DAP. I wanted to see if it would be worth it as IE 900 felt underwhelming on my Samsung Galaxy s10E. Can you suggest some quality DAPs best fit for IE 900?

[@mikew9788]

Look at the astell&kern sr35, you will not be dissapointed

[@YashSingh-mw8kh]

Hello, I am completely new to the audiophile scene. I am torn between the HD600 and HD660SE2. I usually listen to jazz and classic rock (Beatles, CCR, Eagles and stuff) and would like to know which of these would be better suited for such type of music? Also, would the Fiio K7 make a good choice to pair alongside? Currently using Shure 215 and Momentum 4 if that helps. Thank you.

[@headphone_zone]

Hey there, the HD600 has a warm sound whereas the HD660S2 has a more balanced sound, depending on your preference you can go for either one, the K7 will work well for both of the headphones. Hope this was helpful!

[@YashSingh-mw8kh]

Thank you for the reply. I think I will go with the 660s2. Cheers!@@headphone_zone

[@manasshrivastav6285]

Great video, loved the detailed explanation. Just need some clarification.. I own CCA C10 which has a 0.75mm 2 pin cable and wanted to upgrade to a balanced cable but I only see 0.78mm 2 pin cables in the market.. :( Will it make a difference if I plug in a 0,78mm into my iem?

[@whydoineedname4932]

There's very good 0.75 cable QKZ Q1 pro check it out if you still haven't got anything yet i guess

[@FicoOl8998]

Which would be best cable for salnotes zero under 1000rs

[@myarvind]

I dont see DAP specs mentioning that it has a Balanced Amplifier. Where can we check these specs? Please demo the usage of the Balanced cables (with and without Microphones)

[@Zerabavel]

Hey, i am running a Sennheiser 6xxx with ifi hip dac 2, which has a balanced output, so are u recommending to get a Balance cable for that ? can you please recommend a good brand/model of the cable. Thanks Bro.

[@headphone_zone]

You can check out the Headgear Audio - Upgrade Cable for Sennheiser (4.4MM TRRRS BALANCED). Here's the link: www.headphonezone.in/products/headgear-audio-upgrade-cable-for-hd600-hd650-hd525-hd545-hd565-hd580-sleeved.

[@Rumeel12708]

So can i just upgrade any IEM's cables to balanced? What are some great IEMs to start with?

[@headphone_zone]

You can indeed upgrade the cables of most IEMs to a balanced connection. It's a great way to enhance the audio experience. If you're starting in the audiophile world, consider exploring options like the Tangzu Wan'er S.G. or the Truthear Zero: Red. They offer excellent sound quality and can be a fantastic entry into the world of high-fidelity audio. Happy listening and enjoy your audiophile journey! 🎧🔗

[@kevinsalmador739]

Not just playing the bass But playing the bass with precision If normal earphone get that, it would be heavenly

[@headphone_zone]

Absolutely! Achieving precision in bass reproduction can indeed make your listening experience heavenly. High-quality IEMs and headphones are designed to provide that level of precision, letting you feel every note with accuracy and depth. The right gear can elevate your music to a whole new level of enjoyment! 🎶😇

[@69.el.diablo]

how to get maximum quality out of sony headphones (mines xb910n)

[@heroicmiquio6327]

was bedeutet Balanced Kopfhörer Kabel ? Lohnt es sich solch einen Kabel in Verbindung mit einem FIIO M15? Welches Kopfhörer wäre eine der besten ( On EAR)

[@Rob-un6pj]

Hi, thanks for informative video. Just trying to see whether my new headphones can be used with balanced cable and DAC. I just bought some Focal Elegia's. But the inputs to the headphones are 3.5mm. Can I buy a balanced cable with 4.5 to 3.5 left and right? Or do they only do 2.5mm left and right male connectors on balanced cables? Want to make sure before I buy a DAC/AMP. Thanks

[@headphone_zone]

Yes you can! As long as either side of the connectors of the headphones are detachable you can swap them for balanced cables. You can check out the Headgear Audio - for Focal on our website.

[@headphone_zone]

A 4.4mm balanced cable with 3.5mm conenctors should work just fine. You dont need 2 male connectors.

[@akash5180]

can you suggest the best iem under 10k for balanced/extra bass sound signature/v shaped

[@headphone_zone]

For balanced sound you can go for the Moondrop Aria 2 and for V-Shaped or extra bass you can go for the Kiwi Ears Quartet.

[@deepansharya1111]

I have a 2.5 mm jack cable which i want to use with a 3.5mm female port, are there converters available for that somewhere?

[@headphone_zone]

You can use a 2.5mm to 3.5mm converter to connect your cable to a 3.5mm female port. However, keep in mind that using converters may affect the audio quality, so we generally don't recommend it for critical listening situations. It's best to use cables with matching connectors to ensure optimal performance. Keep the music playing!

[@Em_Dee_Aitch]

Okay, but what if I’m going into an AUX in, for a car stereo, and not into headphones? I only have a 3.5mm at that end. What should I do? Is impossible to achieve a balanced connection in my case?

[@headphone_zone]

Hey there, unfortunately that won't be possible.

[@guilllaumebellemare3070]

What if you use a 3.5mm connexion cable with a 3.5 to 4.4 converter to plug in your amp dac? Does it work the same or do u actually need a balanced cable that already comes with 4.4mm?

[@headphone_zone]

Using a 3.5mm connection cable with a 3.5mm to 4.4mm converter to plug into your amp DAC will allow you to connect your devices, but it won't create a balanced connection. For a truly balanced setup, you'll need balanced cables with a balanced termination, typically 2.5mm or 4.4mm. While the converter may physically adapt the connectors, it doesn't change the nature of the signal being transmitted, so it won't achieve the benefits of a balanced connection.

[@Kash650]

I am using Moondrop Chu II, the volume from the right friver is lower than the left driver. I tried cleaning the iems but there has been no difference. Can you recommend which cable i should buy to solve this issue?

[@headphone_zone]

This could be an issue with the ear-piece and to understand it better, we'd recommend having the unit inspected at the authorised service centre. If this unit was purchased from us, please share your order details over Instagram DM and our team will assist you further with this.

[@aswin31apex2]

It would be more helpful if any image or clip shown

[@MrG0CE]

CAN A 4.4MM TO 3.5MM ADAPTER DO THE JOB? OR DO I NEED THE WHOLE BALANCED CABLE?

[@headphone_zone]

You will need a balanced cable.

[@MrG0CE]

@@headphone_zone THANK U :)

[@debojitroy6071]

Do kz zex get benefits from balanced cable?, I'm using a astell & kern xb10

[@headphone_zone]

Hey there, since the Astell&Kern XB10 offers a 2.5mm balanced output, we would say it's worth it to get yourself a balanced cable for the KZ ZEX.

[@Anilramuka]

Can I use 4.4 mm balanced cable on KZ ZAR with fiio KA3 DAC

[@headphone_zone]

Certainly! You can use a 4.4mm balanced cable with the KZ - ZAR when paired with the FiiO KA3 DAC. It can potentially provide an improved audio experience. You might want to consider cables like the Tripowin Zonie or the C8 for a balanced connection. Enjoy your music with the upgraded setup! 🎵🔌🎧

[@jwmphotog]

Please help me understand one more thing. The ends of the balanced cable that go to the headphones. They are not mini jacks like what go into my Hifiman HE 560. How do I get balanced cables into my HE 560s? Thank you.

[@headphone_zone]

Certainly! When it comes to pairing balanced cables with your Hifiman HE 560 headphones, you're right that the connectors may differ from the standard mini jacks. To get audio cables for your HE 560, you can search for custom or third-party audio cables designed specifically for your headphones. These cables should have the appropriate connectors on one end to fit your HE 560 and balanced connectors on the other to connect to your balanced audio source. Just make sure to specify the correct headphone model (HE 560) when searching for these cables, and you should be able to find options that are compatible and that enhance your audio experience. Enjoy your balanced audio journey! 🎶🎧🔌

[@jwmphotog]

@@headphone_zone thank you. I took your advice and I did find custom cables. I never knew they existed

[@oao8227]

Am a regular performing musician and have always used pretty cheap IEMs. Been wanting to upgrade to planar IEMs or some other high quality IEMs. I use a Sennheiser for bodypack and transmitter. If I buy IEMs that are 4.4 will they still fit where the 3.5 fit? Silly question. But the numbers are throwing me off and making me think that the 4.4 will be bigger and not fit.

[@headphone_zone]

Hey there, The numbers (4.4 and 3.5mm) refer to connector types, not their physical size. If you're using 3.5mm IEMs, the 4.4mm won't fit directly. But there are adapter cables available to connect your 4.4mm IEMs to your Sennheiser's 3.5mm output. Hope this was helpful!

[@saliskhairul]

@@headphone_zone the adapter change the benefit of 4.4 jack or not? Thanks

[@rogueneel4537]

Can I upgrade my tin hifi t3 plus with balance cable? As it is not a native balance IEM, upgrading the cable with 4.4 balanced I don't think it will make any sound difference. Because that IEM is not designed for balance connection.Please correct me if in wrong..

[@headphone_zone]

Absolutely! You can upgrade your Tin HiFi T3 Plus with a balanced cable, and it can make a difference in sound quality. While the T3 Plus may not be a native balanced IEM, using a balanced cable can still offer certain benefits. Balanced cables have separate positive and negative signal paths, which can reduce crosstalk and provide better channel separation. This can result in a cleaner, more detailed sound with improved dynamics and imaging.

[@imark7777777]

But if you're listening to an unbalanced output that would mean it's mono if it didn't have two separate amplifiers. I'm trying to understand this whole balance thing all it seems like it's doing is adding a second negative wire. And DACs are limiting the output power on the 3.5.

[@Viper60589]

Hi I'm a newbie to the audiophile scene. I plan to get the KZ x HBB PR2 IEM. I have seen several reviews saying they are a very hard to drive headset and require a powerful dac-amp to deliver its full potential. What's the cheapest dac amp that I can get for this purpose? Will switching to a balanced cable and balanced amp help?

[@headphone_zone]

Hey there, the PR2 is a planar magnetic IEM and thus requires a good amount of power to drive them. You can consider going for the Shanling UA1s as your DAC and Amp. Regarding your question about balanced cable and balanced amp, it will surely help and elevate the music listening experience.

[@SainInaban]

So, Im getting My 1st IEM and with that im also getting a 4.4mm cable, But My phone has 3.5mm jack. So Does an adaptor of 3.5mm to 4.4mm would work ? So that I can use my phone.

[@FrankyFeedler]

You cannot adapt 3.5mm to 4.4mm or the same reason you cannot adapt a usb cable to a network port. Your phone's connection is 3.5mm because it is not balanced. No way to adapt.

[@mihirrathod2648]

my 1st IEM which I bought i am facing suddenly from past 1 month is that right ear IEM is having more sound then my left ear. I bought KZ ZNX PRO X - GOLD). Please suggest me what should I do now as I don't know what issue is here is my IEM is not working or my IEM cable, please tell me how do I resolve it i don't wanna waste money if i buy cable again and i got to know that my IEM is actually not working, I stay in Mumbai do you have any service center where i can show it too.!!!!!!!!!!!

[@headphone_zone]

We're sorry to hear that. Please write to our team at [e-mail] and our team will take it ahead from there.

[@Pleasure1964]

Excellent

[@muchachomatthias4808]

you should defenetly change your micropfone changes. it sounds like dull and blunt like there is something between you and the microphone like a paper or a door

[@headphone_zone]

Hey there! ️ We heard your feedback, and guess what? We've upgraded our microphone to make sure our reviews sound even more "audiophile-worthy" now! So get ready to immerse yourself in crystal-clear audio insights and exciting comparisons. Don't worry; we always strive to bring you the best content, and our upgraded mic is just the beginning! Stay tuned for more awesome reviews.

[@AshwinMisra]

Since TWS earphones do not have a ground wire, then does it mean that they do not suffer from cross talk?

[@fuzail3379]

Tws have a lot more distortion. Ballanced cable only necessary when you iem is power hungry. Most iem under 15k other than planar will not get benefit.

[@karthikeyans5387]

How to find balance output dac and amp

[@headphone_zone]

Could you elaborate what do you mean?

[@ShebanFPV]

Are there balanced wireless headphones?

[@headphone_zone]

Do you mean to ask if there are wireless headphones with a balanced sound signature?

[@ShebanFPV]

@@headphone_zone yeah, I understand that wires went long way in terms of materials etc, but wireless also went pretty far since early BT wifi days. Are there true HiDef Lossless headphones available at all?

[@ShamalWinchurkar]

Which balance AMP do you recommend for Audeze LCD2C?

[@RaghavSomani-HeadphoneZone]

I use the LCD 2C with the Topping A30 Pro + D30 Pro. Its a great combination. The new FiiO K9 Pro is also brilliant.

[@ShamalWinchurkar]

@@RaghavSomani-HeadphoneZone but as far as I know A30 Pro is not fully balanced amplifier.

[@RaghavSomani-HeadphoneZone]

@@ShamalWinchurkar Yeah, thats what they say. Then in that case, gotta go with a A90 Pro.

[@ShamalWinchurkar]

@@RaghavSomani-HeadphoneZone I am considering Gustard H16 or Toppings A90D to use with LCD2C? Price to performance wise which is better?

[@RaghavSomani-HeadphoneZone]

@@ShamalWinchurkar I think the A90D is absolutely phenomenal. Its probably the single best measuring Amp right now. I havent really spent time with the H16, but i can recommend the A90D without question.

[@kuldeeprajabundela8026]

Suggest me good cable for 7hz salnote zero

[@headphone_zone]

We recommend you to check out the Tripowin - Grace (0.78mm 2pin). Here's the link: www.headphonezone.in/products/tripowin-grace-0-78mm-2pin .

[@_horizon_]

typo in the title!

[@RaghavSomani-HeadphoneZone]

Yup. Nice catch. Fixed it.

[@adikesavanadikesavan9523]

Well Said ! You Can Either Be A Beginner Or An Audiophile !

[@mffplayer1101E]

Sir, I've been facing problem in finding a cheap DAC under 1k for 7hz Selnotes Zerso Type C with mic The problem is that the IEM is already having type C connector. So what should I do now ??

[@headphone_zone]

Hey there, unfortunately since the 7hz Salnotes Zero you own has a Type C termination, it can't be used with a DAC but you can get a replacement cable with 3.5mm output and use it along with a DAC. Keep the music playing!

[@mffplayer1101E]

@@headphone_zone What if I purchase Tangzu Wan'er and return selnotes zero ? Which one is better in terms of build quality and sound ?

[@literal_lee]

Entertaining 😅😂 I'll gladly stick with unbalanced. 😉

[@מאורשוקרון-נ6ו]

Can you recomand for a iem cable with headphone

[@headphone_zone]

It seems like you're asking for recommendations for an IEM cable that works with headphones. Could you please provide more details or clarify your question so we can assist you better?

[@AT-wl9yq]

Calling a balanced headphone amp balanced is a bit misleading. They call it balanced for marketing purposes. A balanced headphone amp is really a bridged stereo amp. And if you are familiar with bridged power amps, there are some negatives. The reason there's so much more volume is when you bridge an amp, the headphone or speakers, show the amp 1/2 the resistance as normal. For example, a 8 ohm load is now a 4 ohm load, a 4 ohm load is now a 2 ohm load. Needless to say, its hard on the amp. It has to work twice as hard to drive the exact same headphones/speakers when not bridged. I'm not saying you shouldn't go balanced. You just need to be careful. I would not assume any balanced headphone amp will work well with any pair of headphones that allow a balanced connection. You should buy them as a pair. Make sure both pieces will work well together before you make a purchase. My own personal view is, I would buy an amp that has enough power to drive the speakers/headphones unbridged. In most cases, bridging an amp sacrifices sound quality. If your headphone amp is having a difficult time, it may sound better if you bridge the amps for more power. But that's it. I wouldn't do it for any other reason. Aside from that, there still may be some confusion. If you buy a balanced headphone amp, you have to make sure its the right kind of balancing you need. So far, we have been talking about balancing/bridging the output of a headphone amp. These are not common at all. However, its very common to have balanced connections on the input of a headphone amp. 95% of the time, this is the type of balancing you will find on a headphone amp. It can accept a balanced line level signal. And this has absolutely nothing to do with using balanced cables on a pair of headphones. So, when you're shopping, you can safely assume almost every balanced headphone amp you look at will not work with balanced headphones. It will accept a balanced line level signal from another component, like a cd player.

[@headphone_zone]

It really depends on your budget. But budget no bar - the Sony IER-Z1R also sounds great with the IFI Go Link.

[@tikumenon]

Correction: Denon AH-D7200 headphone

[@LyuboA]

balanced cables can give you more power that's it they have literally No Effect on the sound whatsoever now if the dac or amp has some kind of difference between their own single ended and balanced outputs that's a different story but if they are quality build the only difference should be power output nothing else

[@headphone_zone]

Great to know!

[@pritamdas-j7g]

Buy a decent earphones around 1.5k, don't waste your money.

[@abhinandande]

Most Hilarious Thing is There is No Significant Difference in Sound Quality Except Power. The Volume Gets Almost Doubled But Sound Quality Change is Mere 5%!!

[@mjeverstarmanoj7817]

that is sound quality

[@perlajae7657]

Promo SM

[@sujaynis3905]

Just to give you guys a proof that these guys are serious. The headphone stands in the background each cost 5k and they have 31 of those. That's 1lakh 55thousands. ☠️

[@headphone_zone]

🤭🫣🫣