Planar Magnetic Headphones Explained
Planar headphones such as the Audeze LCD-4 and HiFIMAN Susvara provide a low distortion that is virtually unnoticeable as well as lightning-fast transient responses and a wide, precise frequency response. These headphones require a headphone amplifier to drive them properly.
They are heavier, bulkier, and require more horsepower to drive. Closed-back designs are popular because they isolate sound better and provide more comfort for prolonged periods of wear.
What is a headphone with a planar magnetic structure?
A dynamic driver is used to produce sound in most headphones, whether they are over-ear, on-ear, or even in-ear. The drivers are cones or domes that are behind which a coil oscillates to create sound waves. Planar magnetic headphones are a distinct type of driver that utilizes two magnets wrapped around an electric sheet to deliver audio. They are a little larger and heavier than traditional headphones, however many of them are also well-crafted to be comfortable for long listening sessions.
Planar magnetic headphones can be rather expensive when compared to their dynamic driver counterparts because they require more advanced and complex technology to make them work. However, they're a great option for audiophiles who are looking for precision and clarity. They can also provide an immersive, rich listening experience not found in other headphones.
One of the most impressive things about planar magnetic headphones is their bass performance. The soundstage is wide enough to accommodate the deep low notes, rumble and other characteristics of these headphones. They also excel at handling articulation, tactile tones and mixing music.
Despite their amazing bass response, these headphones may have difficulty keeping clarity and distinction in the mid- and high frequencies. They also have a distinctive 'plucked' sound that can cause them to sound less balanced than their dynamic driver counterparts.
If you're interested in exploring the world of magnetic headphones that planar, I'd recommend an open-back model like the Hifiman HE400i or the Monoprice Monolith M1070. You'll also require a strong AMP/DAC for these headphones to work properly, so check out the Monolith Hi-Res DAC Headphone Amp if you're looking for an excellent starting base.
What is a planar magnetic driver?
Planar magnetic drivers are the norm in audiophile headphones. The most effective models will give you stunning clarity and a powerful sound, which can change your listening experience and give your music collection a fresh look. But planar magnetic driver headphones aren't suitable for everyone - they're typically more expensive than other headphone types and often require an amplifier to work effectively. They are also bulkier and heavier and their open-back designs allow for surrounding noise to enter. This makes them less mobile.
While many people assume that they don't have bass, they provide a stunning audio quality in the low frequencies. This is due to flat diaphragms with an conductive trace pattern that is sandwiched between two magnet arrays. When an electrical signal is sent from the source of your audio to the driver, the magnetic fields interact with the traces and produce a vibration that creates sound waves.
Because the conductive traces are so thin and spread across the diaphragm, they're able to react much more evenly with the magnets than dynamic drivers do. This results in a more precise and even transfer of the audio signal with minimal distortion. This is the reason why planar magnetic headphones generally have superior accuracy and detail, particularly in the lower frequencies where most other headphone types struggle to produce accurate sound.
The majority of planar magnetic headphones are not as good at highs or bass, despite their excellent performance on low frequencies. This is because their design requires more intricate and expensive assembly that's not possible to achieve inexpensively or quickly. The majority of affordable over-ear magnetic headphones will therefore tend to concentrate on mids and
planar closed back headphones higher frequencies and less on bass. The truth is that budget planar headphones won't give you the best music listening experience, but it is something to consider before purchasing one.
What is a planar magnetic diaphragm?
In the audiophile headphone market the planar magnetic headphones are extremely sought-after due to their capacity to deliver stunning levels of clarity and detail. The reason for this is because they utilize a different type of driver technology than the more common dynamic drivers used in the majority of headphones and speakers.
Planar magnetic headphones, such as the HIFIMAN Sundara for instance, use an innovative new type of driver that uses flat diaphragms made of ultra-thin wires to produce sound waves. These diaphragms will then be suspended between two magnets that are flat. The magnets cause the diaphragms vibrate when an electrical signal is transmitted through these wires.
This type of diaphragm is much more flexible and responsive than the more rigid dome-shaped diaphragms employed in many dynamic headphones, which could be damaged by massive forces of excitation that can cause distortion.
Planar magnetic headphones are characterized by low distortion, rapid transient response and a wide range of frequencies.
However, because of their larger size and more complex motor design the
planar closed back headphones headphones tend to be heavier and bulkier than their dynamic counterparts. In addition, they typically require more power and will require an external amplifier for optimal performance.
Another thing that sets planar magnetic headphones apart from their competitors is their imaging which is the precise reproduction of the location and stereo balance of the instruments in a soundstage. This is a major benefit for people who are determined to find the perfect headphone to fit their individual sound preferences.
This larger wavefront could cause planar headphones to leak more sound than other types, which can be a problem if you are in public. This is a minor concern for most listeners. The majority of open-back planar magnet headphones, like the HIFIMAN Ananda, are designed to reduce leakage of sound.
What is a headphone with a planar magnetic design?
Many audiophile models employ magnetic drivers that are planar to provide incredible audio quality. This includes some of the most popular models available on the market. These headphones are generally somewhat more expensive than the ones that utilize dynamic driver technology. That's mostly because they usually have more complex drivers and may require a headphone amplifier to fully realize their potential. You don't need to spend an enormous amount of money to enjoy the benefits planar headphones provide. There are a number of low-cost options including the Audeze LCD-4 and HiFiMAN Susvara.
The key difference between planar headphones and those with traditional dynamic driver technology is that the planar magnetic headphones utilize a flat diaphragm in place of a cone or dome-shaped one. The diaphragm has been coated with conductory material that has two permanent magnets on each side that are able to interact with the electrical signals by your hi-fi system or music player system. The diaphragm is vibrating in response to the audio signals.
Because the diaphragm is bigger and extends across its entire surface, it is less susceptible to distortion than dynamic driver headphones when they reach the limit of its range of motion. This results in an even more detailed and expansive soundstage than you can achieve by using dynamic headphones.