DJ The Rocket
500+ Head-Fier
There are a zillion "Headphone Buying Guides" online, but I've yet to find a BALANCED headphone guide! I've noticed that some headphones improve dramatically balanced, while others hardly improve at all, so I've been testing out just about every pair I own, and I'll post the results here. I'd love to hear your experiences as well! So far I haven't been able to identify any criteria that all the best have in conmon, and my predictions are pretty much useless. (Though after writing this up, I can guess the common thread is the best ones to balance all have a flat sig?)
This started for me when I was looking for a TRRS balanced cable, and saw that everything was over $100, often over $200. That's obviously a rip, so I started making my own (BTW,would there be any interest in a guide to making your own balanced cables, if I wrote one? My total cost is less than $10 per cable). I tested the idea on some KSC75s I had, because I wouldn't even notice the loss if I messed them up. They did work, but there wasn't all that much improvement. So I took the same wire to a pair of M50s, and they sounded AMAZING balanced! They went from an afterthought that hadn't gotten any head time in months, to the most transparent pair in my collection!
So, here's my current list. All balanced impressions based on thr balanced output on the Geek Out V2+, currently my only balanced amp. I'd love reccomendations for other relatively inexpensive balanced options.
SOUNDS GREAT/LARGE IMPROVEMENT
AKG Q701- I'm blown away by how great these sound balanced. They were only my 3rd or 4th favorite open cans to begin with; balanced they are second only to my HD800s.
Audio Technica ATH-M50- I'm especially interested in hearing about any impressions of balanced M50s or M50xs, because my M50s are from that small, unusual production run where they came out flat, instead of the usual V-shape signature, and I feel they're a large step up from most M50s and M50xs to begin with. But balanced, they are among the best in my collection for wearing to forget about equipment and just get lost in the music.
Beyerdynamic DT880- After the wild success balancing the Q701, I had high hopes for these. They did improve a bit, but not nearly as much as AKGs, and I have no idea why. Maybe I simply had a higher opinion of them beforehand, so it SEEMS like less of an improvement? I ended up breaking my Q701s and so I can't do an A/B comparison until I figure out how to fix them =\
Sennheiser HD800- This is another instance where it's hard to objectively quantify. They sound so incredible single ended, how much improvement is even possible? =)
SOUNDS OKAY/"MEH" IMPROVEMENT
These I reverted back to a single ended connection, as balancing isn't worth the hit to convenience:
Koss KSC75- Improved, but also seemed to sound harsher balanced. Not worth it
VE Monk- These deserve another chance, as through them I discovered the importance of the cable to in-ears. I tested with a way too heavy cable, and they were impossible to keep in place. I wasn't immediately impressed with what I could hear, but I plan on trying again with a more appropriate cable.
JBL Bassline- Another disappointment. I picked them up used for $20, specifically to balance them, thinking I'd end up with a steal. They're nothing special single ended, but I do enjoy the fun "plummy" bass that's common to Harmon Kardon sets. Balancing kind of just emphasized their inherent lack of clarity, instead of improving it like I'd hoped. This is exactly what happened with the KSC75s.
LOOKING FORWARD TO TRYING
Grado SR225e- Will try after the football game this afternoon. High hopes based on all the open models that worked great listed above.
PSB M4U 1- I suspect these will sound stunningly good balanced, but I'm very hesitant to make any changes. They do have a 3.5mm jack in each earcup, like the HD800, so it should be easy, I just gotta snip the wire running between them...
Klipsch Status- Despite the lukewarm reviews these often receive, I'm quite fond of them. They're like a more fun version of the M4Us, the main difference being boosted bass in the Status.
Shure SE215- Fiio sells a balanced cable with MMCX connections for $30, so I ordered one that should arrive early this week. It's a 2.5mm TRRS, and Radio Shack sells a 2.5mm to 3.5mm adapter for like $6. Regardless of how the Fiio cable is connected, it won't be difficult rewiring the adapter to the configuration I need.
Yurbuds 300- Once an afterthought, I tried them out again after being inspired by the VE Monk. They aren't impressive with the weird sound funnel that's supposed to go into your ear, but pull off the funnels and earhooks, slap on a pair of the red/blue foamies that came with the Monk, and suddenly they sound quite good! I'm much impressed; they remind me of the Shure SE215, as both sound very clear, detailed, and analytical. They just feel like they will improve balanced, but as with all my in-ears, I'm hesitant to try, since they won't ever be the same if I revert them back to SE.
JBL E10- An underrated IEM, IMO. The bass is a bit boosted, but it's corrected easily with EQ. The same issues mentioned for the Yurbuds apply here also.
This started for me when I was looking for a TRRS balanced cable, and saw that everything was over $100, often over $200. That's obviously a rip, so I started making my own (BTW,would there be any interest in a guide to making your own balanced cables, if I wrote one? My total cost is less than $10 per cable). I tested the idea on some KSC75s I had, because I wouldn't even notice the loss if I messed them up. They did work, but there wasn't all that much improvement. So I took the same wire to a pair of M50s, and they sounded AMAZING balanced! They went from an afterthought that hadn't gotten any head time in months, to the most transparent pair in my collection!
So, here's my current list. All balanced impressions based on thr balanced output on the Geek Out V2+, currently my only balanced amp. I'd love reccomendations for other relatively inexpensive balanced options.
SOUNDS GREAT/LARGE IMPROVEMENT
AKG Q701- I'm blown away by how great these sound balanced. They were only my 3rd or 4th favorite open cans to begin with; balanced they are second only to my HD800s.
Audio Technica ATH-M50- I'm especially interested in hearing about any impressions of balanced M50s or M50xs, because my M50s are from that small, unusual production run where they came out flat, instead of the usual V-shape signature, and I feel they're a large step up from most M50s and M50xs to begin with. But balanced, they are among the best in my collection for wearing to forget about equipment and just get lost in the music.
Beyerdynamic DT880- After the wild success balancing the Q701, I had high hopes for these. They did improve a bit, but not nearly as much as AKGs, and I have no idea why. Maybe I simply had a higher opinion of them beforehand, so it SEEMS like less of an improvement? I ended up breaking my Q701s and so I can't do an A/B comparison until I figure out how to fix them =\
Sennheiser HD800- This is another instance where it's hard to objectively quantify. They sound so incredible single ended, how much improvement is even possible? =)
SOUNDS OKAY/"MEH" IMPROVEMENT
These I reverted back to a single ended connection, as balancing isn't worth the hit to convenience:
Koss KSC75- Improved, but also seemed to sound harsher balanced. Not worth it
VE Monk- These deserve another chance, as through them I discovered the importance of the cable to in-ears. I tested with a way too heavy cable, and they were impossible to keep in place. I wasn't immediately impressed with what I could hear, but I plan on trying again with a more appropriate cable.
JBL Bassline- Another disappointment. I picked them up used for $20, specifically to balance them, thinking I'd end up with a steal. They're nothing special single ended, but I do enjoy the fun "plummy" bass that's common to Harmon Kardon sets. Balancing kind of just emphasized their inherent lack of clarity, instead of improving it like I'd hoped. This is exactly what happened with the KSC75s.
LOOKING FORWARD TO TRYING
Grado SR225e- Will try after the football game this afternoon. High hopes based on all the open models that worked great listed above.
PSB M4U 1- I suspect these will sound stunningly good balanced, but I'm very hesitant to make any changes. They do have a 3.5mm jack in each earcup, like the HD800, so it should be easy, I just gotta snip the wire running between them...
Klipsch Status- Despite the lukewarm reviews these often receive, I'm quite fond of them. They're like a more fun version of the M4Us, the main difference being boosted bass in the Status.
Shure SE215- Fiio sells a balanced cable with MMCX connections for $30, so I ordered one that should arrive early this week. It's a 2.5mm TRRS, and Radio Shack sells a 2.5mm to 3.5mm adapter for like $6. Regardless of how the Fiio cable is connected, it won't be difficult rewiring the adapter to the configuration I need.
Yurbuds 300- Once an afterthought, I tried them out again after being inspired by the VE Monk. They aren't impressive with the weird sound funnel that's supposed to go into your ear, but pull off the funnels and earhooks, slap on a pair of the red/blue foamies that came with the Monk, and suddenly they sound quite good! I'm much impressed; they remind me of the Shure SE215, as both sound very clear, detailed, and analytical. They just feel like they will improve balanced, but as with all my in-ears, I'm hesitant to try, since they won't ever be the same if I revert them back to SE.
JBL E10- An underrated IEM, IMO. The bass is a bit boosted, but it's corrected easily with EQ. The same issues mentioned for the Yurbuds apply here also.
