How Do Magnet Planar Headphones Work?

It could be difficult to understand magnet planar how planar magnetic drivers function in case you've never worked with a pair. Planar magnetic drivers use two flat magnets that are sandwiched between a thin diaphragm and conductors. This differs from the voicecoil actuator, which is a cone that is pushed back and back and forth.

The Diaphragm

Contrary to a traditional headphone driver with a cone or dome shaped diaphragm, a magnetic planar has a flat piece of flexible film. The film is coated with conductors that react to magnets that are placed on either side of the membrane. When the electrical signal passing through these wires changes the magnetic field generated by the magnets causes the diaphragm react and move. The movement produces sound waves that you can then hear.

The human diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscular membranous structure that divides the thoracic (chest) and abdominal cavities. It is the primary respiratory muscle, and is responsible for inspiratory actions, like breathing as well as coughing and sneezing, laughing and crying vomiting, and parturition. The diaphragm is also a role in expulsive movements, such as urinating, defecating and pushing the fetus out during birth.

A planar magnetic diaphragm is more sensitive to changes in audio signals than dynamic drivers because of its ultra-lightweight and thinness. These headphones have a an audio that is more precise and delicate than the sound you get from dynamic drivers.

One of the downsides of planar-magnet headphones is that at higher volumes, they tend to leak more than their dynamic counterparts. This is due to the motion of the magnet diaphragm of the planar headphones that causes some audio to be pushed toward the listener.

This is not a problem if you only listen to music in quiet settings or when watching movies, but it can be a problem for active listening and public use. There are several alternatives that can help limit the amount of leakage. They include the Audeze LCD-4 and HiFiMAN Sundara. Wisdom Audio, for example, is a pioneer in the development of PMD technology. They have been working hard to resolve issues that arise with this type of headphone planar magnetic. This is why they have patented various innovations that you see in their products. For instance, their latest flexible circuit-based planar winding eliminates the limitations of stamped copper windings to give them a better utilization factor.

The Conductors

Conductors are what connect the diaphragm and the magnets and they are the ones responsible for creating the sound you hear. They are typically made from a combination of copper and aluminum. The diaphragm is then wrapped around the magnetic core. This is supported by the headphone's frame. The magnetic core may be made of any material, but the most common is Neodymium. The core is the main element of any planar sound driver. It is comprised of nested layers that form an elongated helix that is 10-20mm in diameter.

Planar magnetic drivers have the advantage of having a wider soundstage than their more dynamic counterparts. This is due to the fact that the entire diaphragm is vibrating when an audio signal is received instead of a tiny area that is connected to the voice coil. This larger surface area results in lower distortion levels especially when the volume is higher.

Another important feature of a magnet planar is its ability to respond quickly to the changes in the audio signal. This allows for a greater range of frequencies to be reproduced and more authentic sound. Audiophiles who appreciate music that includes different instruments and vocals will appreciate this feature.

Additionally, the stacked structure of a planar magnetic decreases part-to-part variability and is ideal for mission critical applications that require high reliability. In comparison to wirewound magnetics greater consistency, with less magnetic field distortion, which is essential for the success of any electronic device.

The Magnets

As its name implies, a magnet is one that has magnetic properties. It can cause a repulsive or attractive force on certain substances such as nickel, iron, cobalt, and some steels. It also has the ability to attract or repel certain electrical conductors. This phenomenon is known as magnetism. It can be produced by electromagnets, permanent or temporary magnets. Magnets are utilized in a variety of applications, including electronic devices such as mobile phones, headphones, and laptop computers.

Planar magnetic driver technology, unlike traditional dynamic drivers or balanced armatures which use a rigid, stiff diaphragm using a voice coil to create the sound wavefront, uses an extremely thin and flexible diaphragm. The diaphragm oscillates and creates a flat wavefront rather than a focused spherical one, as is common in most headphones and speaker. This results in a more clear and more spacious soundstage, and is known for rich bass.

The main disadvantage of planar magnetic drivers is that they require quite a bit of power to move the large magnets inside which makes them heavier and heavier than other kinds of headphone drivers. Many planar magnetic drivers require an amplifier to function effectively.

The amplifier should be designed to match the power output of a planar magnetic driver in order to give the best listening experience. Additionally, the amplifier must have a sufficient input impedance to drive the planar magnetic driver to its maximum output frequency.

The planar magnetic driver is generally designed to be a dipole (radiating equally and in a different phase between the front and back of the speaker, as ESLs do) or a monopole (radiating only in the direction of forward, more like traditional headphones). The most popular design of a planar magnetic driver is a bipole that has alternating poles on the south and north. Its shape makes it easy to build as one piece of metal and is very efficient at creating a strong field at the center of the faceplate.

Planar magnetic drivers are more efficient and have a lower distortion due to their size. As such, they are frequently used in high-end headphones in which sonic precision is essential. They can also be found in professional audio equipment such as loudspeakers and microphones. Due to their unique design, they are also suitable for medical imaging as well as other applications that require extremely high precision.

The Seal

To function properly for optimal performance, planar drivers need to be sealed very securely and precisely. A small leakage can be a major impact on the quality of sound and could cause distortion. Therefore, a great deal of effort is put into creating the proper seal for planar drivers.

In contrast to the majority of conventional headphone designs the planar magnetic headphones should not have gaps in the acoustic enclosure. This is because gaps can cause the diaphragm's resonance to occur at multiple frequencies at once. This is referred to as crosstalk and can cause the sound quality to be affected.

Rubber rings are the most popular type of seal used in headphones that are planar. This type of seal prevents air leaks with great efficiency. It is also extremely robust and lasts for a long period of time. It is important to remember that this type of seal can sometimes produce hollow sounds. It is therefore crucial to select a premium rubber seal if you're contemplating using a planar magnetic headphone.

The liquid crystal display (LCD) seal is another alternative for a magnetic planar driver. It is a specialized seal designed to prevent gaps from forming. It is also designed to withstand a significant amount of pressure. It is a great choice for audiophiles who want top-quality sound quality.

LCD headphones can give a clear and detailed sound. This is particularly relevant for high-end headphones such as the Audeze LCD-4 and HiFiMAN Susvara. It is possible to find LCD headphones with a similar audio quality at a lower cost.

It is also important to note that a planar headphone magnetic headphone will produce a much higher sound pressure than conventional dynamic headphones. The way they are constructed is the reason for this. Planar magnetic headphones are different from dynamic headphones in that they contain two magnets that pull against the diaphragm. This can result in a strong force that can generate very high frequencies.

Planar magnetic drivers are a relatively new technology used in the headphone industry. They have already begun to change the way listeners enjoy music. In addition to their high-fidelity audio these headphones are extremely comfortable to wear and are easy to adjust.