The Best Planar Magnetic Headphones

Planar magnetic headphones (also known as orthodynamic headphones) use an insulated diaphragm that is sandwiched between multiple magnets to produce sound. They provide a crisp sound that is controlled and can capture all the trailing edge of instruments and vocals for incredible musical accuracy.

They typically require a headphone amplifier to drive the drivers properly. It's a small price to pay for a set of headphones that can reveal new nuances and nuances that you didn't know existed in your music.

1. Dekoni Blue HE400SE

The Blue is a re-definition of the T50RP MK3 and is aimed at more neutral and bright house sounds. It's not as neutral as the Philips Fidelio X2HR but is still a great option for those who don't require too bass and prefer a warm headphone that is natural. Vocals sound feminine and smooth (listen to the track Feel Good by Dominique Fils-Aime). It's got a great balance between high and low frequencies, making it enjoyable for long listening sessions.

The planar magnetic structure helps to ensure precise sound positioning, transparency, and a large soundstage. This allows the music to breathe and gives you the sensation of being in an auditorium. The treble is clear and detailed with a clear and non-fatiguing sound.

Bass is also impressive for a price-conscious headphone. It's punchy and tight but doesn't distort even when listening to loud tracks. Its fidelity is also excellent, with good midrange and detail retrieval.

2. Audeze LCD-2

Audeze headphones are well-known for their powerful sound and open-back design. These headphones are also hefty and bulky and don't isolate well. They won't be suitable for all. They're an excellent choice for those who want an audio device that has a pulsating high-frequency.

Featuring a large custom-designed planar magnet inside the ear cups, these headphones produce perfect sound that is free of distortion. They can even achieve low frequencies that other more conventional dynamic drivers struggle with. This is among the most well-known headphones with a planar magnetic design in the audiophile community.

Audeze's LCD-2 was their first headphone. It has the best sound quality in its category. It is full-bodied and deep bass, with transparent transparency and almost zero distortion above 10Hz. It also has a natural sounding treble with appropriate levels for sibilant tones, and it dips at about 9khz in order to account for concha interactions.

The LCD 2 Classics retain the iconic design and sound quality of the original LCD-2 but are more affordable. These headphones are an ideal pairing with tube amps, and they have a higher impedance than most other open-back models, so you'll need to use a headphone amplifier. These headphones are not very breathable and may cause your ears to become warm after long periods of time.

3. HIFIMAN Ananda Nano

The HIFIMAN Nano brings the classic egg-shaped design and open back window shade of its predecessor to date, and comes with a range of impressive technical upgrades. The Ananda Nano comes with a brand new NEO supernano diaphragm that's 75% smaller than the predecessor's as well as stealth magnetics that deliver superior clarity.

The mid-range is spacious and airy, with plenty of resolution and a natural tone to it. It will impress listeners with its precision. It's also a bright headphone with a bit of an edge to its design that makes it stand out and add personality. It's not harsh and doesn't suffer from any constriction.

The low-end of HIFIMAN's is a little thin in its texture, but it does not sacrifice performance or dynamics in any way and the treble is crisp and clear without being overly bright or harsh. Unlike some headphones that can sound thin and closed-in, the Ananda Nano's treble has great extension and is able to create a sense and clarity even when playing at high volumes.

The headphones are easy to operate and its drivers' clarity and acoustic quality will allow you to get the most from your favourite sources. Do not believe the myth that these headphones require excessive power or current. In actuality, I've been able to use them for long gaming sessions, as well as two seven-hour stretches at work and they were comfortable.

4. Audio Technica ATH-M1070

The price of planar headphones could put them out of the range for a majority of music lovers particularly those with other priorities in their lives. If you are willing to conduct some research you can find a pair of headphones that won't break the bank. Monolith by Monoprice's 1070C model is a closed-back model that features planar magnetic earbuds magnetic technology that is priced at $299 USD.

Monolith by Monoprice's 1070C headphones might not come with all the features that you'd expect from a higher-priced set, but they're nevertheless of excellent quality and perform well. They're awe-inspiring and can be adapted to your preferences with just a little tweaking of the audio source that you choose to use with them.

As with most headphones for over-ear use that are available, the Monolith by Monoprice 1070C come with an extremely high impedance and will need some assistance from your DAC or portable music player to get their sound to work properly. The company includes a variety of cords inside the box that include a three-meter coiled cable and two straight cables.

The 106mm driver in the Monolith by Monoprice 1070C produces a rich soundstage that is full of details and has a sense depth. When listening to tracks like Phil Collins' In The Air Tonight the headphones are able to provide the impression of sitting in the back of an orchestra. The treble sound is crisp and clear while the mid-range is warm and smooth without getting too bassy.

5. Audio Technica ATH-M50X

The Audio Technica ATH-M50X are closed-back headphones with an impressively large pair of earcups that are comfortable over your ears. The Audio Technica's ATH-M50X is a closed-back headphone that comes with two ear cups that are big enough to comfortably fit over your ears.

The earcups are covered in a soft faux leather that is comfortable on your ears and head, and they seal tightly enough to reduce outside noise. The headband is cushioned and can be worn around your head. However some users reported feeling uncomfortable because it was stiff. They feature a wide soundstage and a good amount of isolation, though some of the high-end details can be lost in the high-end bass response.

These headphones feature an exciting sound profile, which is ideal for electronic music and other genres that depend on a pulse. The headphones have a powerful bass boost that makes kick drums lively, and a bright treble that accentuates every note in a vocal melody or guitar riff.

The ATH M50X is among the most popular headphones for audiophiles and musicians, however it's not ideal for every situation. It doesn't provide the flat frequency response and even the articulation of premium headphones like the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO, and can also be a bit too warm in the low-end for some.

6. Audeze LCD-XC

The LCD-XC is a closed back magnetic headphone with a planar design and is the first Audeze headphone ever. It is massive and heavy, sporting fully wooden ear cups and the metal frame around. It is the largest model on this list, and one of the largest closed-back models anywhere.

The Audeze LCD-XC has quickly become the most popular device for musicians, recording engineers and audiophiles all over the world due to its incredibly neutrality and transparency. Its closed-back design gives the benefits of planar headphones such as improved isolation and reduced ambient noise for an intimate and calming listening experience. Your favorite tunes will burst from the background, taking on a life of its own.

They have an exclusive innovative planar magnetic design that utilizes space-age materials and ultra-thin diaphragms 4X larger than normal headphones to provide fast response times, dramatically reduced distortion, and a higher resolution. Their unique driver design places an extremely thin, planar magnetic large driver between the arrays of magnets to create a great air flow. This results in their distinctive strong bass and natural, extended highs. The LCD-XC is a true high-quality headphone made for professional tracking, mixing mastering, and high-resolution listening for personal use when connected to an external source device that can be carried around or a premium amplifier.

The treble is extremely clear and open, free of any artificial or colored sound. Vocals are also great, with a rich and deep midrange and a natural, clear and clean treble that delivers a true sense of intimacy.