It will be easiest to use an example:
- Build some I4 with balance shafts.
- Switch to I6 and note the smoothness.
- Switch back to I4 and switch to harmonic damper only.
- Switch again to I6 and note the smoothness - it will be different.
So far seems to work for any case in which a layout with a balance shaft is switched to one without it, as if the balance shaft carried over and bumped the smoothness of already smooth layouts. And yes, it also adds weight, cost, robs power etc. - all the normal effects.