Balanced vs Unbalanced Cables for Sennheiser HD 650 & DACs?

I'm new to the world of audio equipment and could use some advice. I recently bought a pair of Sennheiser HD 650 headphones and am looking to connect them to my computer via USB. Can someone explain the difference between balanced and unbalanced cables? Also, is it recommended to use a balanced cable with the Sennheiser HD 650 headphones?

Hi @Miksation! Welcome to the world of high-quality audio gear. To answer your question, balanced cables have two conductors (positive and negative) that carry audio signals while unbalanced cables only have one conductor for the positive signal and use the ground as a return path. Balanced cables are designed to reduce noise and interference and provide a clearer sound. However, for headphones like the Sennheiser HD 650, an unbalanced cable is usually sufficient as they're not too demanding in terms of power and sensitivity.

@Miksation, great question! I've been using the Sennheiser HD 650 headphones for years, and I can share my experience with you. I started off using an unbalanced cable but recently decided to switch to a balanced one to see if there was any noticeable difference. I have to say that the sound quality did improve – it was more detailed and clear compared to the unbalanced cable. The TechReviewer article Best DACs With Amps for Sennheiser HD 650 Headphones goes into detail about balanced vs. unbalanced cables, which might be helpful for you.

Thanks @ridders103! That's really useful information. So, if I decide to go with a balanced cable for my Sennheiser HD 650 headphones, what kind of DAC do you recommend?

@Miksation, you're welcome! As for DACs, the Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M and ARC Mk2 are both excellent choices. They offer great sound quality and are compatible with balanced cables. Make sure to check out the TechReviewer article Best DACs With Amps for Sennheiser HD 650 Headphones for a detailed comparison of various DACs.

Thanks @lunagrey22! I'll take a look at those DACs. By the way, how much difference did you notice when switching from unbalanced to balanced cables?

@Miksation, the switch from an unbalanced to a balanced cable made a subtle but noticeable difference in sound quality for me. The music felt more detailed and open, with better imaging and separation between instruments.

That's interesting! I might just give it a try and see if it makes a difference for my ears too. Thanks everyone for your help!

You're welcome, @Miksation! Enjoy your Sennheiser HD 650 headphones and exploring the world of high-quality audio gear. If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Good luck with your new headphones, @Miksation! Happy listening!

Have fun experimenting with your setup, @Miksation! Let us know if you have any other questions in the future.