Musical Fidelity launches balanced headphone system

Musical Fidelity is bringing balanced connections, normally reserved for high-end AV products, to a more affordable headphone system.

The company cites the benefits of balanced connections as reduced noise and interference, and the ability to run the system as a dual mono design that doubles the power and halves the impedance.

Balanced cables also have a locking mechanism, making for a more secure connection than the standard line level connection.

Sonically, Musical Fidelity says the balanced system will deliver a smooth, fast and natural sound.

The MF200B headphones are based on the recently-launched MF200 headphones, sporting the same 40mm drivers and materials, but with the balanced connection and a cable running to both ears.

The V90-BHA headphone amplifier measures a compact 47x117x70mm (HWD) and offers balanced XLR and single-ended RCA inputs, plus balanced mini XLR and 3.5mm headphone outputs.

The amp is designed to run as a dual mono amplifier in balanced mode, and claims to offer high input impedance and low output impedance to enable it to drive a wide-range of headphones.

Available in May, the two components will be available separately at £250 each or as a pair for £450.

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Joe Cox
Content Director

Joe is Content Director for T3 and What Hi-Fi?, having previously been the Global Editor-in-Chief of What Hi-Fi?. He has worked on What Hi-Fi? across the print magazine and website for more than 15 years, writing news, reviews and features on everything from turntables to TVs, headphones to hi-fi separates. He has covered product launch events across the world, from Apple to Technics, Sony and Samsung; reported from CES, the Bristol Show, and Munich High End for many years; and written for sites such as the BBC, Stuff, and the Guardian. In his spare time, he enjoys expanding his vinyl collection and cycling (not at the same time).