The Benefits of a Planar Magnetic Driver
Planar magnetic drivers are used in the best headphones and IEMs. It has numerous advantages that set it apart from other dynamic or balanced driver types.
It is crucial to be aware of the drawbacks of planar drivers. These include their higher cost and the need for an amplifier to drive them.
Ultra-thin diaphragms
Each sound we hear - from the loudest cymbal crash to the tiniest rumble on a piano bench is captured by a complex tumultuous wave of pressure. The driver of a top headphone has to reproduce these waves faithfully without missing any details or distortion of the audio. This requires an extremely thin and light diaphragm which can respond quickly to a variety or frequencies.
While dynamic drivers are powered by a voice coil bonded to a conical diaphragm planar magnetic drivers are powered by a flat diaphragm sprayed with an conductive film that is floating between fixed magnets. This enables them to create a uniform magnetic field across the entire diaphragm and significantly reduce distortion.
This approach, however creates additional challenges like the possibility of membrane resonance problems and turbulent airflow inside the grid-like magnetic arrays. These issues result in a mechanical resonance frequency of the diaphragm, which can be several times higher than the input frequency, and reduces the sensitiveness of the voice pressure sensor.
Final was able to overcome these limitations by making use of a single material that serves as diaphragm and conductor. The idea was based on ribbon speakers with their spherical conducting, but it was cheaper for headphones because of its dimensions and power requirements.
Another problem that is common to many planar magnetic designs is a ringing sound that is present on high-frequency, low-frequency bass notes. This is due to a mismatch in the force of the magnet that is applied to the diaphragm as compared to the natural flexing of the diaphragm.
To address this issue, Final used an ultra-thin, polymer film known as Parylene. The material was chosen because of its superior mechanical flexibility, stability and thickness uniformity. These qualities were essential to ensure that a thin, rigid film would stretch without creating unwanted wrinkles or wrinkles.
Superior transient response
The method by which planar magnetic drivers produce sound waves is different from traditional dynamic drivers. The main difference is that the conductor in the planar driver is laid out in a flat, 2D pattern on the diaphragm rather than the coil being wrapped around an oval diaphragm. This allows the conductor to react to magnetic fields on both sides of the diaphragm, and produce sound waves with high-quality. This technology also eliminates the need for a voice coil that could alter its impedance according to its frequency, resulting in a clear, distortion-free reproduction of music.
Planar magnetic drivers are lighter and more durable than traditional drivers due to the fact that they don't contain moving parts which can wear over time. They are also less prone to distortion caused by harmonics which can lead to degradation in the quality of audio. They have a faster response time and can reproduce sounds faster.
However, the large surface area of a planar diaphragm requires more power to move and create sound waves. This is why these
headphones planar require a headphone amplifier that can provide sufficient power. Some listeners might not be interested in the additional weight and cost.
Another advantage of planar magnetic drivers is that they produce a large soundstage, which can be more spacious than conventional dynamic headphones. This is because the huge, flat diaphragm moves more uniformly to create a planar sound wavefront, instead of a narrow spherical wavefront that is typical of dynamic drivers. This is a key feature of planar headphones (
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Natural and faithful audio reproduction
Planar magnetic drivers offer more natural and faithful sound reproduction than traditional driver models. Unlike conventional dynamic drivers that have a cone-shaped diaphragm that vibrates back and back and forth using two rows of magnets in order to create equal magnetic forces on the diaphragm. This causes the diaphragm moving in a wave-like motion, which helps avoid distortion. They are also able to reproduce music with a greater frequency range - from the lowest lows up to the highest highs which makes them a perfect choice for music enthusiasts and sound professionals.
The thin and flexible diaphragm of a planar magnetic driver is able to move much faster than that of traditional dynamic drivers and is able to respond to changes in the sound signal, and create an accurate reproduction. The absence of a coil in the diaphragm reduces the possibility that mechanical parts will come into contact with one with each other, which can cause distortions at higher volume.
The diaphragm can effortlessly displace large volumes of air in order to reproduce bass frequencies. The diaphragm's size and its flexibility are vital for producing the rich bass that you hear in your music. Dynamic drivers on the other hand tend to be smaller and stiff,
Planar headphones making it difficult for them to endure the high-speed excursions needed to reproduce the bass.
Despite their benefits, planar magnetic drivers are not used as much in headphones or IEM products due to their high price and the complexity of their design. Partly, this is due to the fact that they require amplifiers to be driven. This makes them less portable. However, they are still popular among music enthusiasts and critical listeners who appreciate their excellent performance and superior sound quality.
Wide frequency response
Planar magnetic headphones employ flat and uniform diaphragms to create sound in a controlled and even manner. This creates a wide frequency response that provides accurate and precise reproduction of music. They are also known for their high transient response, which means they can respond quickly to audio signals and reproduce them as accurately as is possible.
They do this by employing an array of planar conductors arranged across a thin, diaphragm sandwiched in between two magnets. When an electrical signal passes through this conductor array it is transformed into electromagnetic and interacts with the diaphragm's magnetic fields to cause the push/pull effect. This allows the diaphragm's magnetic fields to interact with audio signals quickly, resulting in high-quality sound reproduction.
The low distortion rate is yet another reason for these drivers to be so well-liked by audiophiles. Since they don't contain the same moving parts as other headphone types which means they don't produce as much harmonic distortion. They also have a lower resistance and are an unresistance load to amplifiers. This makes them easier to drive.
Due to their superior performance Due to their superior performance, planar magnetic drivers are typically used in higher-end audio equipment. They can be more expensive, and they require an amplifier to work and are therefore not suitable for a 'grab and go' driver. Audiophiles will trade the extra expense and effort for the quality that these headphones provide. They are regarded as an excellent choice for those seeking an exceptional listening experience.
Low distortion
The diaphragm in a
planar magnet driver is very thin, so it can move at a high speed without losing control. This allows for a very accurate and quick response to sudden changes in audio signal. This allows you to perceive the details of music more clearly, and makes them sound more natural and real.
Planar magnetic drivers also have the benefit of producing an even driving force across the diaphragm.