How Do Planar Magnetic Headphones Work?

Planar magnetic headphones are less dispersed than dynamic drivers. This is due to the fact that the whole diaphragm is vibrating rather than only the portion that is connected to the voice coil.

They also have a more spacious soundstage, with better separation of instruments and ability to differentiate. However, they do leak more, and require isolation to ensure that no one disturbs people near you.

The diaphragm

The diaphragm plays a crucial role in [almost] all sound transducers (headphones and loudspeakers, as well as microphones) that are used to move air in order to produce sound. In headphones, a flat piece is suspended between two magnets and creates an electromagnetic field upon activation by audio signals. In planar headphones the current of electricity emanating from the headphone's source is transferred to the diaphragm by way of the coil, which generates a magnetic force that causes it to vibrate.

The diaphragm suspension is composed of titanium, neodymium or other artificial materials. This allows the diaphragm to resonate with your ear at different frequency. In contrast to dynamic drivers, planar magnetic headphones can provide very high SPLs without sounding blurred or muddy.

Planar magnetic headphones aren't only able to reproduce high SPLs, but also provide the best soundstage. This is because the flat diaphragm produces the planar wavefront rather than the spherical-focused wavefront that is found in many dynamic drivers. As a result, the headphones provide a more natural soundstage that's more easily to locate.

The transient response is yet another benefit of using planar magnet headphones. This is the ability to recreate short-lived peaks in audio signals, for example the cymbal crash and kick drum strikes. The size of the diaphragm as well as the fact that it moves evenly across its surface ensures that there is no distortion at these peaks.

Planar magnetic headphones have some disadvantages that you should consider when deciding on a set. One of the primary reasons they are more expensive is that they are typically more expensive than their counterparts with dynamic features. This is due to the design of their motors that can be complicated, as well as the heritage of the brand behind them.

There are fortunately fantastic, low-cost planar magnetic headphones available for less than $100. In addition to their outstanding performance, these headphones come with closed-back and open-back designs, so you can choose which one suits your preferences for listening. The HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnets Edition and Audeze LCD-2 Classics are some of the top options available.

The voice coil

Planar magnetic headphones are renowned for their precision and accuracy with incredible clarity and detail across the entire frequency range. This is due in large part to the flat, thin diaphragm sandwiched between magnet arrays. When an electrical signal from your audio source is transmitted, the conductive materials windings in the vocal coil interact with the magnet field and cause the dialyms to vibrate. This creates sound waves.

The planar-type driver has the advantage that every vibration occurs at the same frequency and is uniform, how Do planar magnetic Headphones work no matter where the diaphragm lies within the magnetic field. This produces a more consistent and uniform sound with less distortion. It's also more comfortable to listen to. In contrast dynamic drivers tend to create a more spherical sound wavefront that's less consistent and can be distracting.

Due to the way they operate, planar magnetic drivers require a more powerful amplifier system than their dynamic counterparts. They are also more heavy and bulkier because of their larger and more flexible membrane. They require an external amplifier or DAC to drive them.

Planar magnetic drivers can be more expensive because they are typically constructed of high-quality materials. Nevertheless, a few specialized HiFi audio headphone manufacturers have begun to revive this technology in recent years. We're seeing a wide range of new headphones that have planar magnet drivers that offer an outstanding listening experience.

As with everything else in life, the decision between planar magnetic and dynamic headphones is based on the individual's preferences and budget. The headphones with a magnetic design have a somewhat larger soundstage than dynamic models, and are renowned for their incredible detail and accuracy. However, they're typically more expensive and many listeners prefer the powerful bass and warm sound signature of dynamic headphones.

Dynamic driver headphones tend to have more punch and slam, but this isn't often noticed by listeners. They also offer better clarity and imaging. Nevertheless, there are plenty of exceptions to this rule and some excellent magnetic headphones are available at a reasonable price.

The magnets

In a headphone equipped with a dynamic driver, electrical impulses generated by the source of your audio are transmitted through a coil made of conductive material which interacts with magnetic fields within the driver. These are then used to alter the diaphragm's flat surface and create sound waves. planar headphone magnetic headphones on the other hand are made up of a thin sheet of conductive material sandwiched between two powerful magnets. This makes them a bit more complex to produce which is one of the reasons they're generally more expensive than their dynamic counterparts.

They also tend to be heavier and larger due to their design which means they require more space around the drivers. They also use more power than their dynamic counterparts which means that they'll require an amp specifically designed for headphone use to fully utilize their potential. This isn't a problem all the time, but it's worth considering when selecting the right headphones.

While this may not be the case for all headphones, many of the top headphones with a planar design will provide a more open and airy sound than their more dynamic counterparts. This creates an airy feel that can be quite appealing for certain listeners. They also provide a wider soundstage, which can be helpful when listening to music with other people.

The open-back design is a popular option for a variety of small-scale headphone brands, such as the likes of HiFiMAN and Audeze. While they're not as common as closed-back models, they're an excellent opportunity to experience the advantages of planar magnetic technology. For example, the HiFiMAN Sundara offers a great introduction to the speed, accuracy and detail of these headphones at a reasonable cost.

The housing

If you're an audiophile or just a person who enjoys good music, it's likely you've heard of magnetic headphones that planar. They have a distinctive appearance, featuring an elongated diaphragm that is embedded within the headphone. They are available in open-back and over-ear designs. Apart from the distinctive design, these headphones use different working principles in comparison to dynamic drivers.

Unlike the traditional moving coil driver that uses the voice coil to create sound waves the planar magnetic headphones explained magnetic headphones utilize an array of magnets that move the diaphragm back and forth to generate sound. Based on the design, these arrays can be placed on both sides of the diaphragm. The magnets are activated by an electrical signal that passes through the voice coil and causes it to vibrate. The vibrations then create magnetic fields that interact with magnets on either side of the diaphragm. The interactions cause the diaphragms to push and pull against the magnetic fields. This results in sound waves that represent the audio signal.

This is why planar magnetic headphones typically sound more resonant and have greater bass extension capabilities. The big, flat diaphragm responds faster to changes in the input signal, so they respond more quickly to bass response and are less susceptible to distortion. This creates a cleaner and more controlled sound that many audiophiles love.

These headphones can reproduce higher frequencies, but they lack the slam and punch modern dynamic driver headphones provide. They can be difficult to listen for those who want to listen to hard or metal rock music.

Planar magnetic headphones are costly due to their unique design. The drivers are powered by an audio converter digital and a specialized amplifier. This can add up to a significant cost increase for some customers, but many people think the sound quality is worth the expense. However, it's important to keep in mind that there are other headphones available to those who don't want to spend more than they have to.