Are you trying to find balanced headphones among various brands on the market but aren’t sure where to begin? To assist you in finding the right one, we’ve put together a list of the 7 best to help you pick the perfect one!
We investigated and evaluated a number of the top-selling balanced headphones on the market in order to create our list of the best. Making a decision among the many options available is never simple. There are an infinite number of models available, each with a distinct price. And as you’ll find out, the best options aren’t usually the ones you imagine! This comparison is rich and relevant because of the numerous factors that were employed. You will find products featured in this ranking not only based on their pricing but also on their features and other customers reviews. To write this review, we completed 30 hours of research and did 59 balanced headphones tests. You won’t need to pick products at random any more. If you’re unsure of what to look for, browse our list and consult the buying guide!
An overview of our top picks
Table of contents
The best balanced headphones you can buy today
- All new Philips Fidelio X3 with wide, natural soundstage and uncolored sound
- Exquisitely tuned 50 mm multi-layer polymer (with dampening gel) diaphragms - delivers exquisitely detailed highs, full and smooth midrange, and impactful (without overpowering) bass
- Hi-Res Audio certified. Hear the full impact of every note when wired to a high-resolution source for a lifelike performance.
- Open-back design. Wide, natural soundstage with acoustically transparent Kvadrat speaker fabric. By eliminating the air pressure build-up behind the diaphragms, an immersive and spacious sound is born.
- Premium finishing also means responsibly sourced materials. The sumptuous black Muirhead Scottish leather covering the headband is sustainably and ethically sourced.
- Balanced and unbalanced inputs means it is ready for your favorite headphone amp or your everyday phone and mobile devices.
- Detachable Balanced and Unbalanced 3 m oxygen-free cables included
- 3.5 – 6.3 mm adapter + cable clip are also included
- Technical specifications: 5 - 40,000 Hz frequency response | Open acoustic system | 500mW maximum power input | 30 Ohm impedance | 100 db @ 1 mW sensitivity | 13.4 Oz weight
- English, French (Subtitles)
- Revitalize your television or computer with this incredible decoder, and experience a whole new level of sound. Whether you're at home or in the office, paired with speakers or headphones, you'll be able to enjoy delightful and captivating music.
- MAX Power Output up to 1400Watts: Experience rich audio details with a powerful output of up to 1400mw and easily drive high impedance HIFI headphones up to 350 ohms. Recommended for headphones with 8-350 ohm impedance.
- [Variety of inputs+outputs]: Supports USB/coaxial/optical inputs, with optical and coaxial inputs. 4.4mm/ 6.35mm (1/4 in.) headphone out/RCA line-out/ Coaxial outputs.
- A sleek and compact desktop accessory with an aluminum alloy body. Its small size and slim design will bring a clean and tidy look to your workspace. Upgrade your desk with this visually appealing addition
- VA display: The high-definition VA display screen is carefully customized with high contrast and long lifespan. It can provide a clearer presentation of the current status of the device, such as sampling rate, volume, gain, output mode, etc., making your operation simpler and more intuitive.
- 10 Driver Hybrid EARBUDS :CCA C10 earphone has 10 drivers hybrid technology. 1 Dynamic&4 Balanced Armature each ear exclusively dedicated to silky highs, detailed mids, and deep bass.High-intensity resolution, rich sense of quality, full of vocals. True pure listening experience for you. Every nuance comes alive like hearing your favorite music for the first time.
- DURABLE Zinc Alloy Shell+Resin. High quality function matches form with an extremely lightweight yet durable Zinc Alloy Shell+Resin . A Combination Of Fine Craftsmanship Forged A Sleek And Sturdy Look,The CCA C10 can handle any condition you put them in, whether it's at the bottom of your gym bag or just casual listening.Lightweight and ergonomic design offers you extra flexibility, portability and durability. Great for running, jogging, hiking, biking, gym etc.
- NOISE CANCELLING AND HIGH SOUND QUALITY:Built-In MEMS Noise Cancelling,Reduces environmental noise and distractions by up for an immersive auditory experience .The sound is pure. It has a good balance of high ,midsand low frequency. The tone won’t been too bright or too dark. High frequency extension is good, delicate and supple. Low dive deep, full of elasticity and intensity .The sound stage has a natural expansion and the width magnitude is able to give a spacious feeling.
- DETACHABLE CABLES DESIGN . Earphone adopts detachable design. 0.75mm Gold Plated 2 Pin diameter low impedance braided wire adjust the sound quality more upgrade play.The main body comes with 5N 4-core silver plated wire, because the soft and supple material is used, the handling is good, there is no worry that the cable will be curled afterwards. It ensures durability even at ultra light weight and withstands long-term use.Removable and replaceable with other bluetooth cable.
- 12MONTHSWARRANTY:Quality Assurance, All the products on H HIFIHEAR Audio are original.You will get 12 months warranty and friendly customer service from the date of purchase if you order from Better Audio.which make your purchase absolutely risk-free and you can enjoy testing out it's quality and durability!
- 【5 Balanced Armature Driver Releasing High-Definition】KZ AS10 IEMS earphones equipped with 5 balanced drives per side, which enables KZ AS10 wired earphones to have fast and sensitive transient response in the full frequency range, and delivers delicate Hi-Res sound quality to the ear.add more definition and show more details in music, and provide a balanced sound feature,The Special bass driver delivers a strong and detailed bass. The extension of high frequency is soft and flexible, not too s
- 【Professional Crossover Circuit Design & 3D Printing Technology】KZ adopts 3D printing technology in manufacturing the internal acoustic structure which houses the drivers, guiding sound to two individual outputs visible in the base of each nozzle,The AS10 has a big dynamic driver handling bass, two drivers handing high frequency, two drivers handing mid frequency. The AS10 has better impact, speed, and overall agility. Bass is very strong, mid-range is very prominent and the highs is not overly
- 【Detachable Original 2 Pin Cable】 Like most of other KZ headset, this KZ AS10 earpiece also equipped with detachable cable, if original cable is broken or want to have a try for upgrade , this detachable design would be perfect for you. Upgrade do not include in this item, you need buy it separately.
- 【Comfortable In-Ear Design & Noise Cancellation】The cavity is made based on large data of cochlea. It’s scientifically molded to fit the ear like an customized earbuds. Even with vigorous exercise, it will still securely fit in the ear. Comfortable for long time wearing as well.it also comes with 3 additional different sizes of buds (S/M/L) to best fit your ears.
- What You Will Get? EZ EAR Audio is the legal distributor for KZ products. All products are authentic and genuine. Please rest assured that we will stand behind our product with 1 year warranty and if you have any questions or concerns, please contact our 24 hours easy-to-reach customer service.
- 5 Balanced Armature Driver KZ AS10 Earphone: With 5 balanced armature driver on this KZ in ear monitors, 5 balanced armatures response from Low to High frequency, add more definition and show more details in music, provide a balanced sound feature.
- HIFI Sound: Impressive punch and impact of bass, fast and accurate with quick attack and decay.Full and warm Mids with excellent detail. Highs are well extended but not overly boosted. Sound stage is very wide and individual instruments are easy to locate.
- 5 Armature Driver Details: KZ AS10 musician in ear monitor uses 5 driver, include one 22955 BA driver for Lows can be comparable to the traditional dynamic driver. 1 piece 296898 for Mids, 2 pieces 30095 for Highs, 1 pieces 31005 for Mid and High.
- Detachable OCC 2 Pin Cable: Like most of other KZ headset, This KZ AS10 earbuds headphone is equipped with detachable cable, if original cable is broken or want to have a try for upgrade or other cable, this detachable design would be perfect for you.
- Open over-ear headphones, ideal for professional mixing, mastering and editing
- Perfect for studio applications thanks to their transparent, spacious, strong bass and treble sound
- The soft, circumaural and replaceable velour ear pads ensure high wearing comfort
- Hard-wearing, durable and robust workmanship - Made in Germany
- Practical single-sided cable (3.0m coiled cable)
- Reference class open back, dynamic headphone employing new and improved transducers delivering low harmonic distortion
- Transducers are hand selected for precise (1 dB) left / right matching tolerance insure exceptional accuracy and presentation of stereo spatial characteristics
- 150 ohm nominal impedance allows direct connection to home and mobile Hires audio devices. Contact pressure: 6.0 N - 1 N
- Para aramid reinforced, detachable cables employ high conductive OFC copper to insure signal integrity with very low handling noise
- Supplied with two connection cables: One with a 6.35 millimeter stereo plug, the other a 4.4 millimeter Pentaconn balanced stereo plug. Also included is a 6.35 millimeter to 3.5 millimeter adaptor. Connectivity Technology: Wired 6.35 millimeter / 4.4 millimeter Pentaconn
- Frequency response 10 to 41,000 Hz ( 10 dB), Impedance 150 ohm
- Note: Kindly refer to the user manual provided as a PDF manual in the product description section
- Amaze Listening Experience:Khadas tone2 pro come with MQA decoding support The onboard XMOS XU216 processor enables bit-perfect, hardware-native, USB class II, asynchronous "unfolding" of MQA data for both web streaming and local high fidelity audio playback, enabling future-proof "original master quality" audio reproduction just as the artist intended, but at reasonable file sizes and streaming bandwidth requirements.
- Powerful Amplifier:Portable DAC with ESS ES9038Q2M DAC has been paired with four powerful OPA1612 operational amplifiers, and three buffer amplifiers. This 3-stage amplification pathway enables Tone2 Pro to drive a wide-range of demanding audiophile-grade headphones with impedances of up to 150 ohms.
- Power-Noise Isolation.: Balanced headphone amp includes a 4.4 mm balanced headphone jack in addition to the standard 3.5 mm single-end jack. The Tone2 Pro's aluminum enclosure incorporates a hybrid digital/analog volume control knob, allowing you to rely entirely on analog signal attenuation for accurate sound reproduction. you can connect a 5V linear power supply to the second USB-C port whilst having USB-C data on the first for excellent power-noise isolation.
- Compact Design: khadas dac amplifier has a bespoke design that is unique to the DAC world. Its slim aluminum enclosure accommodates many features. The size is more portable. Lightweight design, perfect for carrying in your pocket wherever life takes you, your music never stops. We also added an industry-first balanced RCA line-out.These novel RCA ports have three signal pins instead of two, yet retain the same size and form factor as regular RCA ports.
- High Performance :Khadas tone2 pro up to 32bit 768KHz sample rate, Coaxial Input192KHz 24bit,bit-perfect DSD512, and -118dB THD+N,3 Stage amplification pathway(line-out).
- Length: 15cm（5.9inch), it is made made with the Silver Plated Cable inside and made with the Braided cable outside
- Jack: 2.5mm Trrs Balanced male to 4-pin XLR Female
- The 2.5mm Balanced male Compatible with Astell&Kern AK240 AK380 AK320 Compatible with onkyo DP-X1 FIIO X5III XDP-300R Compatible with iBasso DX200 & Power amplifier / Monitors / Speaker / HIFI equipment and so on players with 2.5mm Trrs Balanced port.
- Features:high resolving power, smooth sound transparent, clear and full of layered detail; IF moist, magnetic voice; full of powerful low frequency.
- package include:1*adapter cable,
- Great Compatibility: The adapter has a 2.5mm balanced plug for audio players with a 2.5mm balanced jack.
- Quality Materials: The cable is made of 8 strands*19 core 6N single crystal silver, the cable is about 6cm long, and the durable design allows the adapter to withstand thousands of bending tests. The cable jacket is made of environmentally friendly PVC with excellent insulation, discoloration resistance and softness.
- Excellent Sound Quality: The mid-frequency and high-frequency are clearly layered, the sound dynamic is good, the penetrating power is strong, the low-frequency can be freely stretched, and the details are restored. It will not reflect the passing signal and refraction to cause signal distortion and attenuation, so it has a unique high-fidelity transmission function.
- Portable & Exquisite: With lightweight design, you can put our adapter cable anytime anywhere. The cable uses a special weaving technology. It looks Elegant and neat. It feels soft, easy to store, and won't get tangled.
- Team Persistence: Some traditional crafts have been gradually replaced by machines, but our team members have always insisted on manufacturing high-quality hand-made audio equipment and headphone cables. We are familiar with the use of various HIFI cables to make upgrade cables. The craftsmanship, we adhere to "high-quality Material, high-quality craftsmanship, high-quality products" irreplaceable craftsmanship spirit.
- High-Resolution Audio compatible for pristine sound
- Wide frequency range (4-100,000Hz)
- Newly developed 70mm driver unit
- Upgraded comfort & stability
- Φ4.4 Balanced Standard plug
- Ergonomic earpads
- In the box: Headphone cable, Balanced-connection headphone cable, Uni-match Plug Adaptor
- Amplified Audio - Enhances game sounds for a more immersive experience
- Bass Boost - Built-in Turtle Beach bass boost adds depth and realism to the game audio
- Independent Volume Controls - Allows for personalized balancing of PS3 game and chat audio
- Microphone Monitor - Let's you hear what you're saying while talking
- USB Powered - No batteries required
- Natural, relaxed, high-fidelity sound with extra sub bass: Ultra-light aluminum voice coil with 300-ohm impedance for excellent impulse response and an intimate sound with great timbre
- Airflow-optimised 42mm high-performance transducers: Improved ventilation due to a uniquely powerful vented magnet system for minimal distortion and air displacement control through steel mesh damping
- Double the sound pressure at the lowest octaves: You can feel the lowest note on the piano (27.5 Hz) or the kick of the bass drum (45-60 Hz) as if you were there, at the recording studio
- Exceptional comfort and build quality: The open-back design offers exceptional breathability and the plush ear cushions deliver maximum comfort - for long listening sessions
- Outstanding quality designed in Germany, made in Ireland: With a frequency response of 8 Hz - 41,500 Hz and detachable, long cables for comfortable desktop use
- Output Gold-Plated Adapter Compatible with Sony NW-ZX507, DMP-Z1, NW-ZX300A, NW-WM1Z, TA-ZH1ES, NW-WM1A, PHA-2A, Lotoo PAW6000, HIFIMAN R2R2000, FIO-M11, Cayin N6ii DAP, iBasso Audio DX160 Audio Player, DAP
- 4.4mm M to 3.5mm F convert adapter lets your 4.4mm output devices work with 3.5mm balanced headphones, earphones only.
- Easy to use, just plug and go. Connector Plug Provides Great Clear Audio Quality.
- Product Dimensions: 1.81 X 0.24 inches (4.6 X 0.6 cm)
- Package Contents: 4.4mm Male to 3.5mm Female Headphone Audio Adapter x 1
- Note: This cable only Compatible with Hifiman Sundara, Ananda, Arya, HE400SE, Deva-Pro, HE4XX (2 x 3.5mm Version), HE-400i (2 x 3.5mm Version) headphone. Must Confirm Your Headphone is The Model with Dual 3.5mm port
- Connector: 4.4mm Balanced Male; the connectors shell are made of the walnut wood / Solid Wood - Walnut + Brass Gold Plated
- The inside cable is made of the 6N OCC copper Single Crystal Silver Plated wires, each side include 2 strands *(0.08mm*25 cores + 0.08mm*37 cores) 6N OCC copper Single Crystal Silver Plated wires, that Superb Premium Wire, Independent Shield among L, R . Soft enough and comfortable ; the outside cable is made of the Black Thermostable Braided Tangle-Free cable, which has excellent temperature resistance range: -65℃~300℃
- Cable Length: 2meters(6.6ft); cable diameter: The diameter of the main body cable is 5mm. And the diameter of the branch cable connected to the earphone is 3.2mm. Package include:1*replacement cable
- The 4.4mm Balanced Male is compatible with SONY WM1A, NW-WM1Z, PHA-2A and other Audio player that with 4.4mm Balanced port. Extension Cords
- Precision German engineering ensures excellent audio clarity, so you will hear every detail of your music.
- One button inline smart Remote makes it convenient to play and pause music and take calls without needing to fumble with your phone.
- Lightweight foldable design allows for easy storage making the headphone easy to carry anywhere.
- Secure over-ear fit provides excellent reduction of ambient noise, so you can relax and focus on the music.
- 4.4 balanced wire male compatible with Hifiman Sundara HE400S HE-400 HE4XX HE-400i(New Edition) HE560 HE-350 HE1000 HE1000 V2，Denon AH-D600 AH-D7200 AH-D7100 AH-D9200 AH-D5200, Meze99 Classics, Focal Elear, Arya headphone
- This audio replacement cable adopts 6N OCC copper single crystal silver-plated wire, the cable has a total of 6 strands*0.08mm*37 cores 6N OCC copper silver-plated wire, the sheath is made of FEP
- Upgraded 6 core braided single crystal silver plated OCC wire and gold-plated tips, ensures HiFi quality sound, supports Hi-Res, DSEE HX, S-master HX and aptX LL, supports noise cancellation.Compared to most 1.2m length audio upgrade cables on the market, our cable is 1.5m long, which also provides more space for use
- The single 4.4mm plug used for Sony NW-ZX505, NW-ZX507, NW-ZX300A, NW-WM1A, NW-WM1Z Digital Audio Players, also compatible with Fiio M11 Plus, M15, M17 Digital Audio Players / Walkman, KA3, Q3 THX, K9Pro Audio Amplifiers / Headphone Amplifiers, and other devices with 4.4mm port balanced interface
- High resolution, high signal-to-noise ratio(s/n), low distortion, the cable is the best choice for professional audiophiles or hi-fi enthusiasts
- This cable is made of 8 strands*0.08mm*37 cores 6N OCC copper Single Crystal Silver Plated wires, and the sheath is made of FEP, which has excellent temperature resistance range: -65℃~300℃
- Length: 1.5meters/59inch/4.9ft; Connector: 2.5mm Trrs Balanced Male to 4.4mm Balanced Male, package include:1*audio adapter cable
- The connectors shell are made of the walnut wood / Solid Wood - Walnut + Brass Gold Plated
- The 6N OCC copper Single Crystal Silver Plated wires provide clear sound, and a protective layer is added to eliminate noise interference problems, you will enjoy matchless HiFi sound and maintain original sound quality of your headphone.
- The 4.4mm Balanced male is compatible with SONY WM1A, NW-WM1Z, PHA-2A, ZX300A Audio player & Power amplifier / Monitors / Speaker / HIFI equipment and so on players with 4.4mm Balanced port
- What is a planar headphone? What are its benefits over other designs? Planar headphones feature conductive layers that cover nearly the entire diaphragm, resulting in significantly lower distortion than conventional dynamic headphones.
- Acoustically Invisible Stealth Magnet Unlike the sound waves created by a conventional magnet, the special shape of Stealth Magnets enables the waves to pass through the magnets without generating interference. HIFIMAN’s advanced magnet design is acoustically transparent, dramatically reducing wave diffraction turbulence that degrades the integrity of the sound waves. The reduced distortion yields pure sonic output that is accurate and full-range.
- Durable Connections The headphone’s drivers are protected by a newly designed casing for enhanced durability and protection from the elements. A dual-sided high-performance 3.5mm cable is packaged with a 6.35mm adapter for maximum compatibility with a wide range of devices.
- The HE400SE’s high sensitivity makes it the perfect match for low-voltage sources, including portable hi-res. audio players.
- Maximum Comfort for Hours of Listening Pleasure Thanks to its newly designed adjustable lightweight headband, the HE400se remains cool and comfortable for hours, even in excessively warm weather.
- Impedance - 36 ohms
How to choose a good balanced headphones
Does the idea of finding a fantastic balanced headphones make you anxious? When it comes to purchasing this product, specifically when deciding which model to select, has your head been spinning between options? You are not alone if that is the case. We are aware of the pressure involved in the purchasing process!
Your presence here indicates that you are interested in balanced headphones. Before choosing which product would be the best for your needs after being inundated with information, locate a reliable source with genuine selections. You can get that information from a variety of sources, including buying guides and rating websites, word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family, online discussion forums where users can share their own experiences, product reviews that can be found all over the internet, and YouTube channels. You can only get the right product through exhaustive analysis. But you realize that’s not always simple. In order to ease your concerns, we have taken the time to develop a list of the top balanced headphones products available right now. You might be wondering how we came up with the list. How was this buying guide developed?
First, we used our algorithms to gather as much reliable data as we could about these products. To verify all the data gathered, we used both artificial intelligence and a lot of algorithms.
Then, our experts used criteria that are recognized in the business to evaluate them according to their quality to price ratio, allowing us to choose the top balanced headphones on the market right now!
The selection of the goods is not arbitrary. Before creating a list, we take into account a number of factors. Below are some of the criteria discussed:
Brand Value: What happens if you choose a dubious brand just because it appears to be a good deal? So the likelihood of receiving a product with a short shelf life increases. That is due to the fact that well-known brands have a reputation to uphold, while others do not. Top balanced headphones brands strive to provide some distinctive traits that set them apart from the competition. So, hopefully one or more of the items on our list will be perfect for you.
Features: Useful features are all you need, not tons of them. We consider the important aspects and select the top balanced headphones based on those.
Specifications: Numbers always help you measure the quality of a product in a quantitative way. We try to find products with higher specifications, but with the right balance.
Quality: A product’s quality may always be quantified with the aid of numbers. We look for goods with better standards that strike the proper balance. The best quality product that gets highly appreciated and recommended by experienced users.
Customer ratings: Would it be accurate to suggest that the balanced headphones were used by hundreds of customers before you? Superior ratings indicate that many customers had better service.
Customer Reviews: Like ratings, provide you with accurate and reliable information about the product from genuine customers. Customer ratings are very important to all of us because they contain accurate and reliable information about the customer service we received from several hundred customers.
Seller Rank: This is very intriguing! Not only do you need a good balanced headphones, you also need a product with rising sales that is trendy. It accomplishes two goals. First, the expanding user base proves the quality of the product. Second, given that number, producers must be able to offer greater quality and after-sales support.
Value: You get what you pay for, they say, so consider the value. Cheap isn’t always good and expensive isn’t always bad. However, that does not imply that spending a lot of money on a product that is flashy but underwhelming is a good idea. Before adding them to the list, we make an effort to evaluate how much value you can get for your money from your balanced headphones.
Durability: Durability and reliability are closely related concepts. You will benefit from a strong and long-lasting balanced headphones for months and years to come.
Product availability: Products come and go, and new ones replace the old ones. Most likely, a few new features and required changes were made. What use is it to use a supposedly good product if the maker no longer supports it? We make an effort to highlight products that are current and offered by one or more trustworthy sellers, if not more.
Negative Reviews: Yes, we do take that into account as well! The goods with the majority of bad reviews are filtered out and disregarded when we choose the best-rated one on the market.
These are the standards by which we selected our balanced headphones. Do we end our process there? Hell no. The most crucial fact about us that you should be aware of is that we regularly update our website with current and pertinent information. We have one more layer of filtration since we place the greatest importance on reader satisfaction. Please let us know if any product included here is incorrect, irrelevant, subpar, or simply out of date. We always value your opinions, and we’ll work hard to make any necessary corrections to our list in response to them.
Why should you believe us?
There are now thousands of possibilities for these products on Amazon, but choosing the best one can be difficult and time-consuming. And what balanced headphones should you purchase in 2022?
This guide is the result of more than 10 years of experience in researching, testing and writing about many topics. Each member of our team is an authority in their area. We read every article we could find online and every consumer review on every retail website for seven hours. Additionally, we discovered a ton of websites that offered helpful resources, including buying tips and thorough information on balanced headphones.
