Balanced Drive Supported
Balanced Drive Supported indicates whether a headphone can use separate positive and negative connections for each audio channel.
In a compatible balanced headphone connection, the left and right channels do not share a return conductor. The headphone wiring, cable and amplifier output must all support the intended arrangement. This is different from describing a headphone’s tonal balance as neutral or even.
Balanced Drive Supported — Headphone
Support can provide a choice of compatible amplifier outputs, but it does not guarantee an improvement in sound quality. Available output power, noise and distortion depend on the actual amplifier and load; a balanced label alone gives none of those measurements.
Confirm the exact cable and connector arrangement rather than relying on a plug’s appearance or conductor count. Never assume that tying the return contacts of a balanced amplifier output together is safe. A separately available balanced cable is useful only when the headphone and output are compatible; it is not independent proof of support.