Thankfully the photo gallery is finally working again, so here's the pics I would've posted weeks ago:
As for how they sound, there are two primary differences I've noted so far:
Bass Impact: it was obvious on first listen that the bass hits harder in balanced mode. Not that the bass is louder, just that it has a more tangible, physical quality, particularly in the lower realms, so the effect is most noticeable with electronic music. It is less apparent with orchestral music, limited to those real heavy drum hits, organ, and cannon fire
I would say the difference is quite striking with anything heavily electronic or beat-based, less so with acoustic music, and rock/pop.
Soundstage: Upon my first listen to the headphones in single-ended mode, after listening in balanced for a while (to the Gladiator soundtrack, I switched mid-CD), my reaction was instantly "where'd the soundstage go?" After some further comparison it became clear that the balanced mode opened the soundstage up quite a bit in the lateral domain, while reinforcing the already good imaging. I was quite shocked by that first comparison, because the W5000's soundstage had always been quite satisfying, and I did not expect such a difference to come from balancing them.
Are they "huge" differences, I'd say not. They are substantial, and not easily mistaken however. The headphones still sound like W5000's though, the change has not transformed them, merely evolved them. Was it worthwhile? Well building the cable itself was a fun diversion, though taking apart $800 headphones was a bit nerve-wracking. I already had the appropriate amp, which I bought to get away from the heat-churning Dynahi, more than anything. I wouldn't recommend balancing your W5000 unless you were really bent on getting every last bit that they can offer, and really enjoy their basic sound signature.
As for how they sound, there are two primary differences I've noted so far:
Bass Impact: it was obvious on first listen that the bass hits harder in balanced mode. Not that the bass is louder, just that it has a more tangible, physical quality, particularly in the lower realms, so the effect is most noticeable with electronic music. It is less apparent with orchestral music, limited to those real heavy drum hits, organ, and cannon fire
Soundstage: Upon my first listen to the headphones in single-ended mode, after listening in balanced for a while (to the Gladiator soundtrack, I switched mid-CD), my reaction was instantly "where'd the soundstage go?" After some further comparison it became clear that the balanced mode opened the soundstage up quite a bit in the lateral domain, while reinforcing the already good imaging. I was quite shocked by that first comparison, because the W5000's soundstage had always been quite satisfying, and I did not expect such a difference to come from balancing them.
Are they "huge" differences, I'd say not. They are substantial, and not easily mistaken however. The headphones still sound like W5000's though, the change has not transformed them, merely evolved them. Was it worthwhile? Well building the cable itself was a fun diversion, though taking apart $800 headphones was a bit nerve-wracking. I already had the appropriate amp, which I bought to get away from the heat-churning Dynahi, more than anything. I wouldn't recommend balancing your W5000 unless you were really bent on getting every last bit that they can offer, and really enjoy their basic sound signature.
