Planar Magnetic Technology for Headphones

A handful of HiFi audio companies are reviving the planar magnetic technology. These companies make headphones using traditional planar drivers that produce a a rich sound signature.

This paper focuses on the fundamental properties of a planar magnetic device by examining the loss of winding conduction as well as leakage inductance and winding capacitance. In addition, a method to reduce these parasitic elements is proposed.

Low vertical height or low profile

Planar magnetics are more efficient and have a lower profile than traditional wire-wound magnets. It also minimizes leakage inductance and parasitic capacitance. This technique also allows the use of a smaller-sized core, which reduces the overall cost of the device. Furthermore it doesn't require any clamping of the magnets. This makes it suitable for use in power electronics devices.

Another advantage of planar magnetic technology is that it is smaller and lighter than traditional headphones. It can also handle a wider range of frequencies without distortion. This is due to the flat diaphragm which what is a planar headphone used in these devices, which is usually composed of a thin film and is fitted with a conductor trace it. The film can respond quickly to audio signals and can produce high levels of sound pressure easily.

This means that the audio produced by these devices is more pronounced and clear. This is why they are preferred by many audiophiles, specifically those who want to listen to music at home or office. It is crucial to remember that a planar magnet driver requires a powered amplifier and digital audio converters to work properly.

The resultant sound is more natural and precise than that produced by dynamic drivers. Planar magnetic drivers can also respond faster to changes in the audio signal, which is why they are the perfect choice for listening to fast music.

Despite their advantages however, planar magnetic drivers come with several drawbacks. Their high price can be partly due to the large amount magnetic material needed to make them work. Their weight and size can be a challenge particularly when they are being utilized as portable devices.

Wide band gap (WBG) devices

Wide band gap (WBG) semiconductors are a class of materials that exhibit higher electrical properties than silicon-based devices. They can withstand higher voltages and current density. They are therefore ideal for optoelectronics and power electronic applications. Wide band gap semiconductors such as gallium nitride and silicon carbide can bring significant enhancements in performance, size and cost. They are also greener than traditional silicon devices. These characteristics make them attractive to satellite and aerospace manufacturers.

Planar magnetic drivers are based on the same basic principles as dynamic drivers, with an electrical conductor moving between fixed magnets whenever audio signals are passed through them. Instead of a coil bonded to a conical diaphragm, planar magnetic drivers employ an array of conductors that are flat connected to, or embedded in a diaphragm made of film that can be made very thin. The conductors comprise a set of coils' that are placed on the diaphragm and sit directly between two magnets. This creates the push/pull effect which creates the diaphragm's movement.

This technology produces music without distortion and has a unique, pleasing sound. The driver moves in a uniform manner and quickly due to the even distribution of magnetic force over the entire surface and the lack of a coil behind the diaphragm. This produces a clear and accurate sound. The resulting sound is known as isodynamic, orthodynamic, or magnetically-incident.

Generally, headphones with planar magnetic drivers cost more than other technologies due to their complexity and higher price. However there are plenty of affordable, high-quality alternatives such as the Rinko by Seeaudio and S12 / Z12 by LETSHUOER which have recently been released.

Power electronics

Planar magnetics are able to disperse heat more effectively than traditional wire wound components. This allows them to handle greater power without excessive strain or audible strain. This makes them suitable for use in headphones. Planar magnetics are more efficient and also offer greater power density. The technology is particularly suited for applications such as fast charging of electric vehicles, battery management, and military equipment.

As opposed to dynamic driver headphones which make use of a diaphragm suspended by a voice coil planar magnetic drivers work on a much different principle. When an electromagnetic signal is sent through the array and the magnets on the opposite sides of the diaphragm get pushed together and a push-pull effect is created. This creates soundwaves that move the diaphragm and produce audio.

Due to their higher volume-to-surface ratio, planar magnetic devices are more efficient than conventional magnetics. They are able to disperse heat more efficiently, allowing for higher switching frequencies while still maintaining their maximum temperature ratings. They have lower thermal sensitivity when compared to wire-wound devices. This allows them to be utilized in smaller power electronic circuits.

To optimize a planar-boost inductor, designers must consider several factors, including the fundamental design winding configuration, losses estimation, and thermal modeling. Ideally, the inductor should have low leakage inductance and winding capacitance and be easy to integrate into PCBs. It must also be able to handle high currents, and should be compact in size.

The inductor must be compatible with multilayer PCBs that have through-hole or SMD packages. The copper thickness must be sufficient to prevent thermal coupling and reduce eddy-currents between conductors.

Planar winding based on Flex circuits

In the field of planar magnetic technology the flex circuit-based windings are employed to make an inductor that is high-efficiency. They utilize one-patterned conductor layers on a flexible dielectric film. They can be made by using a variety of metal foils. The most popular choice is copper foil, which has superior headset planar electrical properties and is processed to permit termination features on both sides. The conductors in a flex-circuit are connected by thin lines that extend beyond the edges on the substrate. This provides the flexibility needed for tape automated bonding. Single-sided flexes can be found in a variety of thicknesses as well as conductive finishes.

In typical headphones, the diaphragm is set between two permanent magnets that move in response to the electrical signals sent by your audio device. These magnetic fields produce a sound wave that travels across the entire diaphragm's surface creating a piston-like movement which prevents distortion and breakups.

Planar magnetic headphones can reproduce a wide range of frequencies, headset Planar especially at lower frequencies. This is because they can produce a larger surface area than conventional cone-type drivers, allowing them to move more air. They also reproduce bass sounds with greater clarity and detail.

Planar magnetic headphones are expensive to make and require a powered amplifier and DAC to function effectively. They are also heavier and bigger than traditional drivers, making them difficult to transport. Their low impedance also requires much more power to drive, which can become a problem when listening to music at high volume.

Stamped copper winding

Stamped copper windings are utilized in planar magnet technology to increase the window utilization and reduce manufacturing costs. The technique involves placing grooves in the body of the coil to hold the windings in a layer-accurate location. This helps prevent deformations of the coil and improves tolerances. This reduces scrap and improves quality control. This type of headset planar coil is typically used in contactor coils and relay coils. It is also found in ignition coils and small transformers. It is also utilized in devices that have wire thicknesses up to 0.05mm. The stamping creates a uniform coil with an extremely high current density. It also ensures that the windings are perfectly placed on the coil body.

In contrast to traditional dynamic drivers, which use a conductor voicecoil behind the diaphragm to produce sound waves, planar magnetic headphones have an array of flat conductors applied directly on the thin diaphragm. The conductors vibrate when electronic signals are applied. This causes the motion of pistons that produce sound. In the end, planar magnetic headphones can provide superior sound quality than other types of audio drivers.

In addition to reducing weight and cost in addition, this technology could also help increase the frequency of planar magnetic transducers. This is crucial, since it allows them to work across a larger frequency range. In addition, it reduces the power consumption of the driver.

Nevertheless, there are some disadvantages to this new technology. It isn't easy to create a thin-film diaphragm capable of enduring the high temperatures needed for this technology. Manufacturers like Wisdom Audio have overcome the problem by creating a solution that is adhesive-free and is able to withstand temperatures as high as 725 degrees Fahrenheit. This allows them to create audio with the highest quality without compromising durability or longevity.