mrbinary This is very arguable, and the opposite is as true to some. So you have some people who can't tell, some claim it's better, or others claim it's worse. Either way, you'd have A/B test them (blind ideally) to know for yourself. Also note that many claim that balanced can introduce "noise" since they are doubling the amplifiers. Makes sense that it could change the sound signature, right? Sometimes this noise comes across as a warmer sound, and many enjoy that more, but that is still harmonic distortion kinda like what tube amps do. Last thing is that speakers need balanced for long speaker cable runs like at concerts. For short runs, there is no need. Headphones are what... 15' at most? If it sounds better, it's because of good harmonic distortion.