Balanced Drive FAQ

What is Balanced Headphone Drive?

Balanced Headphone Drive is a scheme that uses two wires to deliver equal and opposite audio signals to each side of the driver coil. When properly done a significant increase of audio performance is heard due to the doubling of slew rate and power; the reduction of some distortion components; and virtual elimination of crosstalk at the headphones due to the common ground.

Do I need a Balanced Headphone Amp?

Because balanced drive requires two audio channels at each ear instead of one, a balanced headphone amplifier four audio channels instead of the two normally found in a headphone amplifier. While a regular headphone amplifier can't drive balanced headphones, HeadRoom's balanced amplifiers and drive both balanced and standard headphones.

How do I know if my headphones are balanced?

If your headphone plug looks like the single plug on the left, then your headphones are not balanced. The black XLR connections on the right are an example of a balanced headphone plug.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are a few other connector types that may be found on balanced headphones, please call in for assistance.

Does my Source also need to be a balanced source?

In order to achieve the best performance from a balanced headphone system a fully balanced source is strongly recommended. Our Balanced Desktop Amp has an excellent built in digital to analog converter as a fully balanced source, so all you need is an optical or coaxial digital audio signal, or a USB connector use your computer as a source.

What type of connector is used in balanced drive?

There is no industry standard for balanced headphone connections, and a handful of balanced connector configurations exist. HeadRoom uses two male three-pin XLR connectors, each carrying the normal and inverted audio channels, and shield connections to their respective earpiece. This connection scheme allows us to use the Neutrik combo jack which includes both XLR and standard stereo headphone jacks to provide you with an amp the drives both balanced and standard headphones, and has a nice uncrowded front panel.

So does that mean I can plug my regular headphones into a balanced amp and get a balanced signal?

No; but you can listen to regular headphones on any balanced headphone amp just fine, you're just not listening to it in balanced mode.

How do I get my headphones recabled into balanced drive?

The Sennheiser HD800 can be recabled into balanced drive by yourself using the Cardas Balanced Cable for HD800's.  If you own Sennheiser HD650, an aftermarket Cardas balanced cable is available for purchase.  If you prefer a different brand of headphone check out our custom recabled balanced headphones

What is the cost?

The cost varies depending on whether you buy your headphones recabled initially, or if you use an after market replacement cable. See our ready-made balanced headphones here.  Current headphones that offer user replaceable cables are the Sennheiser HD800 and HD650. 

Why don't you offer more models?

The time and expense that comes along with recabling is generally warranted only for the very best of headphones. Moreover, many high end headphones cannot be recabled due to construction and design issues.

What if I want my headphones to function both as balanced headphones and single-ended headphones?

HeadRoom manufactures a handy XLR-1/4"adaptor , so any balanced headphones may be converted back to single-ended drive. Another option is to choose a pair of Sennheiser HD650 which allow for an aftermarket balanced headphone cable to plug directly into the cans. That way you can purchase the balanced cable and simply switch out the headphone cable for single-ended and balanced listening.

Besides replacing the connectors, is the type of cable any different w/ balanced headphones?

Yes, the cable must have at least four conductors to get the proper signal to the headphones. HeadRoom uses our signature "fat pipe" cabling which is made especially for HeadRoom by Cardas, one of the finest cable manufacturers in the world, and is internally structured to provide shielding and separation of the left and right channel pairs to reduce crosstalk.

Most importantly, what does balanced drive sound like?

This cannot be answered in a single sentence, but expect to be wowed with an expansive soundstage and full, rich sound never before heard on headphones.