Planar Magnetic Headphones
Planar magnetic headphones produce uniform sound waves by using a thin, flat membrane suspended between magnets. This provides a better understanding of soundstage, more detail and a distinct sound distinct from typical dynamic driver headphones.
Audiophiles might find them to be more expensive and difficult to drive, but the cost is worth it. You can purchase headphones for less than $400. They include the budget-friendly Hifiman or Monoprice Monolith M1070.
Soundstage
Planar magnetic headphones that have large drivers can create a vast soundstage. These large soundscapes allow you to hear more detail and create a more immersive listening environment. You will be able to more precisely pinpoint the location of individual instruments and vocals in the mix which makes them a great choice for mixing or studio use.
In addition to their amazing soundstage, the planar magnetic headphones are also known for their outstanding bass performance. Their huge drivers can move more air, which allows them to reproduce deep bass notes with incredible clarity and precision. This is a huge improvement from the dull and muddy bass that comes when you use the most headphones with dynamic drivers.
The headphones of the planar magnetic type are unique in that they employ a flat diaphragm sandwiched with a conductive pattern between two magnetic arrays. When an electrical current flows through the conductive pattern it creates magnetic field which causes the diaphragm vibrate and create sound waves. The magnetic field regulates the diaphragm's motion and is evenly distributed across the entire surface. This results in an isodynamic (or constant) field that ensures that the diaphragm's movement is consistent throughout the entire frequency range.
Planar magnetic headphones are significantly less distortion-free than dynamic headphones, since the distortion created by a driver that is dynamic comes from the voice coil's movement into and out of contact between the diaphragm and the voice coil. This means that you will hear the music as the artist wanted to hear it, even at a high volume.
One downside of planar magnetic headphones is that they leak more than standard open-back dynamic headphone models. This is due to the huge diaphragms that are used in these headphones circulate a huge amount of air. Additionally, some of it escapes the back of the headphone. If you're listening in a quiet setting, it should not be a problem.
The choice between planar magnetic headphones and dynamic headphones is based on your budget and listening preferences. If you prioritize clarity, precision and low distortion, a pair of planar magnetic headphones is the best choice for you.
Detail
Planar magnetic headphones have gained a lot of traction with audiophiles over the past few years. They are renowned for their wide sound signature and flat diaphragms that move with incredible speed to produce deep bass and superior high frequencies. In contrast to dynamic drivers with rigid, rigid driver voice coils the conductor trace of the planar magnetic headphone drivers is fixed to the flat diaphragm's surface, and it responds to the magnetic field generated by two magnets that are opposite. This allows the drivers to reproduce frequencies with larger ranges than other headphones, and without driver distortion or diaphragm damage when they are used at high volume.
This also results in the flat diaphragm creating a larger soundwavefront that is more planar, rather than a more focused spherical wavefront like dynamic drivers (although some newer, high-end dynamic driver headphones such as Focal Utopia can extend to 20Hz). The wider and larger soundstage of these headphones provides them with an impressive ability to reveal particulars in recordings. This is particularly noticeable with instruments, where the detail and accuracy that planar magnetic headphones provide allows you to hear every individual string, woodwind note and piano key clearly, as they were originally intended by the composer.
A good pair of headphones will also reproduce the sounds of your surroundings. Some headphones let sound leak through the back of the earcup, depending on whether they're open-back or closed-back. In many cases, this isn't an issue but in certain situations it can cause disruption to others who are nearby when you're listening. In this instance it is recommended to choose headphones that limit leakage or have an optional grille that you can use in public areas.
No matter what kind of headphone you choose It is essential to choose a pair that fits your lifestyle and music preferences. With a wide range of styles, sizes and prices, there's bound to be a pair of magnetic planar headphones that will give you the best music experience for you!
Comfort
A planar magnetic headphone uses thin diaphragms engraved with conductors that are strung across an array of magnets that manipulate sound waves in ways traditional dynamic headphones cannot. This wider wavefront creates more natural and immersive sounds with impressive detail, speed, and accuracy. However, they can be heavy and require an amplifier that is specifically designed to achieve their full potential.
Many specialized HiFi audio headphone brands have brought back this old technology in recent years which allows listeners to experience new levels of awe-inspiring audio quality using the power of planar driver s. Although they might not appear as sleek and modern as dynamic models, these headphones are renowned for their deep bass, intimate presentation and great stage depth.
Despite their size and unique shape they are comfortable and easy to wear. The ear cups can seal inside your ears and block out ambient noise which allows you to focus on the music, but they don't cling to the head and neck like some other over-ear designs do. Some listeners are also attracted to the light-weight design and earpads that are comfortable.
The price of a planar magnetic headphone isn't the only drawback. While you can find budget-friendly dynamic headphones, most planar models require a dedicated DAC and amplifier to make the most of them. This is because they are more complicated than their dynamic counterparts and usually require a lot of electricity to move the two magnets around.
Some of the planar headphones are inexpensive (such as HIFIMAN's Deva or AUdeze's Venus) however, most are high-end models and some costing more than $400. This is a significant expense, especially when you listen to music while on the move or spend the majority of your time gaming but for those who want to enjoy music with the highest level of clarity and realism, they provide an incredible listening experience.
The biggest disadvantage of most planar headphones, despite their excellent sound quality, is their leakage. The bi-directional movement of dual magnets cause the sound to be pushed outward and can cause a disturbance to those sitting near you or let in outside noises. Certain models are more vulnerable to this than others. However, it's a concern to most listeners who would like to enjoy their music in a quiet setting.
Noise isolation
To qualify as a pair of headphones to be called "headphones", they must be able to separate your ears from the environment. A quality pair of planar headphones will feature ergonomic design and the best materials to prevent sound from escaping your ears. This will reduce the noise you hear and give you more of an immersive experience.
In general, planar magnet headphones are heavier and larger than dynamic headphones. This is due to the fact that the driver itself has a larger surface area to deliver sound and requires a larger earcup. Audio brands that are boutique prefer earpieces that look as good as they sound, using exotic woods and composites in their designs.
Planar magnetic headphones regulate electrical current by using an electrified film sandwiched between magnets. The magnetic field on each side of the film causes it to vibrate, generating sound waves. The diaphragm is vibrating as a whole, not just a small portion that is attached to the voice coil. This means they are less likely to become distorted at high volume.
A lot of the newer planar magnet headphones have a less bass, and lack the punch or slam you'd expect from a premium pair of dynamic drivers. It's a trade-off, and one that can be resolved through careful comparisons of different sets of headphones.
Therefore it's advisable to take your time shopping around for a set of magnetic headphones that are planar and read carefully reviews from audio websites that are professional as well as those on the subreddit r/headphones. This way, you can ensure that the headphones you pick will offer the performance that's right for your needs and musical taste. Once you've done that it's a matter of finding the right price-to-performance ratio. The Monoprice M1060 over-ear headphones are an excellent example of this, combining incredible audio quality with a sleek stealth design and comfortable pads that compete with the pads of headphones priced much more than the M1060.