How Do Planar Magnetic Headphones Work?
As compared to dynamic drivers, the
planar magnetic earbuds magnetic headphones have less distortion. This is due to the fact that the entire diaphragm is vibrating rather than only the portion connected to the voice coil.
They also have a wider soundstage, with better separation of instruments and ability to differentiate. They leak more, and require isolation to prevent disturbing those nearby.
The diaphragm
The diaphragm is a key component of nearly every audio transducer (headphones, loudspeakers and microphones included) that moves air to produce sound waves. In headphones, it's a flat piece of diaphragm that is suspended between two magnets that create an electromagnetic field when activated by audio signals. In planar headphones the electric current that comes from the source of the headphone reaches the diaphragm through a coil that generates a magnetic force that causes it to vibrate.
The sound generated is transmitted to your ear via the diaphragm's suspended, which is often made of an artificial material such as titanium or neodymium. The diaphragm can then resonate with your ear using different frequencies. Unlike dynamic drivers that are used in planar headphones, planar magnetic headphones can offer very high SPLs, without sounding blurred or muddy.
In addition to the ability to reproduce high SPLs, planar magnetic headphones also offer a superior soundstage. The reason for this is because the flat diaphragm produces the sound wavefront in a planar manner, rather than the narrow spherical wavefront that is found in many dynamic drivers. The headphones produce an overall soundstage that is more natural and are easier to pinpoint.
Transient response is a further benefit of planar magnet headphones. This is the ability to recreate short-lived peaks in audio signals, for example cymbal crashes and kick drum strikes. The diaphragm is huge and stretches evenly across the surface, so there's no distortion once peak levels are reached.
planar earphone magnetic headphones have a few disadvantages you should take into account when choosing a pair. One of the main reasons why they cost more is that they are typically significantly larger than their counterparts with dynamic features. The main reason is the complexity of the driver and the image of the brand.
There are a variety of affordable planar magnet headphones that cost less than $100. In addition to their outstanding quality, these headphones are available in closed-back and open-back styles and you can pick which one fits your listening habits best. Audeze LCD-2 Classics and HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnets Edition are two of the top headphones available.
The voice coil
Planar magnetic headphones are renowned for their precision and accuracy with exceptional detail and clarity across the entire frequency range. This is due to the flat, thin diaphragm that is sandwiched between the arrays of magnets. When an electrical signal from your audio source is transmitted, the conductive materials windings in the vocal coil are able to interact with the magnet field, and cause the dialym to vibrate. This creates sound waves.
The planar-type driver benefits from the fact that each vibration happens at the same frequency and is uniform regardless of where the diaphragm lies within the magnetic field. This results in an even and consistent sound with less distortion. It is also easier for the ear. In contrast dynamic drivers tend to produce an elongated sound wavefront which is less uniform and could be distracting.
Planar magnetic drivers due to the way they operate, require a stronger amplification system. They also tend to be heavier and bulkier because they must accommodate an extra large, flexible diaphragm. In turn, they typically require an external amplifier and DAC to provide sufficient power to drive them.
In addition, planar magnetic drivers are much more expensive than their dynamic counterparts since they're typically made from high-quality materials. In recent years, however a few HiFi audio headphone makers have revived this old technology. We're now seeing a number of amazing new headphones featuring planar magnetic drivers, which provide an amazing listening experience.
The choice between planar and dynamic headphones is a matter of personal preference and budget. Planar magnetic headphones are known for their clarity and accuracy and have a larger soundstage than dynamic models. However, they're often more expensive, and many listeners prefer the booming bass and
How Do Planar Magnetic Headphones Work warm sound of dynamic headphones.
In general dynamic driver headphones offer a little more slam and punch than planar magnetic models However, the differences aren't always apparent to the majority of listeners. They are also better at imaging and separating. Nevertheless, there are plenty of exceptions to this, and some excellent magnetic headphones are available at a reasonable price.
Magnets
In a headphone equipped with a dynamic driver, electrical impulses generated by your source of audio travel through a coil made of conductive material which interacts with magnetic fields within the driver. They are then used to alter the diaphragm's flat shape and generate sound waves. Planar magnetic headphones are made up of the thin layer of conductive material sandwiched between powerful magnets. They're more difficult to manufacture and are the reason they're more expensive.
A heavier and bigger design is also a result of the need for more space around the drivers. They also consume more power than their dynamic counterparts which means that they'll require a dedicated headphone amplifier to maximize their performance. This isn't an issue all the time but it's something to think about when selecting these headphones.
Although this isn't the case for all headphones, a lot of the top magnetic headphones that are planar will have a more open and airy sound than their dynamic counterparts. They can provide a sense that they are in a larger space which can be appealing to certain listeners. They also have a bigger soundstage, which is helpful when listening to music together with others.
The open-back design is a favorite choice for many small-scale headphone brands, such as the likes of HiFiMAN and Audeze. Although they're not as popular as closed-back models, they are an excellent opportunity to experience the benefits of planar magnetic technology. The HiFiMAN Sundara, for example, is a great opportunity to feel the speed, precision and clarity of these headphones.
The housing
If you're an audiophile or simply someone who loves music, odds are you've heard of planar magnetic headphones. They have a distinctive look with a flat-embedded diaphragm, which can be found in both over-ear and open-back headphones. In addition to their unique design, these headphones also use different working principles that are different from dynamic drivers.
In contrast to the traditional moving coil driver that relies on a voice coil to generate sound waves Planar magnetic headphones employ magnets that move the diaphragm back and forth to create sound. Based on the configuration, these arrays may be situated on both sides of the diaphragm. The magnets are activated by an electrical signal that travels through the voice coil, causing it to vibrate. The vibrations create magnetic fields that interact with magnets on either side of the diaphragm. The magnetic fields cause the diaphragms pull and push. This creates sound waves that represent the audio signal.
This is why headphones made of planar magnetics typically sound more fuller and have superior bass extension capabilities. The large, flat diaphragm responds faster to changes in the input signal, which means they can respond faster to bass response and are less susceptible to distortion.