Planar Headphones

Planar headphones are renowned for their accurate and clear audio. They also have a lower distortion and a wider soundstage than dynamic headphones.

But, they're generally more expensive than headphones with dynamic features. They require a powered DAC/amplifier in order to function. Monoprice's Monolith headphone line offers an excellent value for those who aren't willing to spend more than $1000 for headphones.

The Basics

Shopping for headphones can be confusing and there are many factors to consider. In addition to over-ear or on-ear there's open or closed back, wired or wireless and then there are various types of drivers to pick from: dynamic electrostatic, planar magnetic balanced armature, and MEMS. These differences may seem complex but they're important to understand if you're looking for the best sound.

A headphone that is planar is a flat diaphragm which is surrounded by magnets. When the audio signal is played through the conductor of the diaphragm reacts with the magnets to create vibrations. This allows for a wide frequency response and greater quality and less distortion than dynamic drivers. It also creates an expansive soundstage, which gives listeners the impression that they are in the center of the music.

This unique design is the reason why planar headphones are more expensive than other types of headphone in particular when compared with the budget-friendly dynamic models that have become more popular. Planar headphones are a must for audiophiles willing to pay an extra amount for the audio experience.

But in recent years, manufacturers have been working to make planar technology more accessible to a larger public. The high-end headphones of Hifiman and Audeze have pushed the limits of What Is A Planar Headphone is possible with planar drivers. Many audiophiles are starting to realize the benefits of these headphones.

Planar headphones are known to offer superior audio quality, comfort and durability despite their higher price. They are able to compete with other types of headphone. Planar headphones can also reproduce music instruments with incredible detail and accuracy without sounding muddy.

One of the main disadvantages of planar headphones is that they can be heavy and bulky, which makes them less portable than other headphone types. Certain headphones are also required to have a powerful amplifier to perform at their peak. This can be a turn-off for those looking for an easy to use and portable headphone solution. Fortunately, the latest headphones incorporate cutting-edge technology to reduce the weight of the headphones while maintaining their amazing sound quality.

The Benefits

Planar headphones offer superior sound quality that is beyond the limitations of traditional dynamic driver headphones. They allow you to hear the full range of sound with realistic space and depth. The diaphragm, which is flat, in planar headphones moves more air than the traditional diaphragm.

The diaphragms' large movements create vibrations that produce sounds that are constantly compressed and decompression. Monolith headphones use planar drivers which are extremely energy-efficient, as they require only one coil to move the dialephragm. This decreases your headphones' power consumption and increases their lifespan.

Another benefit of planar driver is their ability to reproduce low frequencies with no distortion. The typical headphones employ small and stiff drivers that have to move large amounts of air in order to reproduce low frequencies, putting them under a lot of stress. The diaphragm that is flat in a pair of planar headphones can move more air than conventional drivers with a flexible range of motion, resulting in an extremely smooth bass response.

Furthermore the conductor trace on a planar diaphragm enables it to be more evenly interacting with magnetic fields. This leads to a lower split than you get with a traditional dynamic driver. It is similar to electrostatic headphones.

Open-back headphones emit less sound than dynamic headphones. This is especially useful when listening to music in a public place. This also means that your audio is private, protecting you from outside interference and allowing you to get lost in your music.

Planar headphones are more expensive than dynamic ones, but they provide a superior sound quality that is worth it for a lot of audiophiles. It is important to consider your preferences and needs prior to buying a pair headphones. If you prefer clarity, image structure, and distinction over punch or slam, then perhaps these headphones aren't the best for you. There are several options that deliver both slam and planar sounds without breaking the budget. Monoprice's new M1060 is one of the budget-friendly headphones that has made waves in the industry due to its outstanding performance. It has a sleek design, great comfort, and a life-time guarantee.

The Specs

The sound you hear when using a headphone is determined by how the diaphragm's thin, light diaphragm is manipulated to vibrate. In most headphones, this happens with a dynamic driver configured with voice coils fixed behind the diaphragm that is flat. However, alternative configurations have been designed that utilize a planar magnetic driver to achieve the same effect with a lighter and thinner diaphragm. This allows the headphone to produce sound with less distortion, higher frequency response and better bass.

The primary distinction between a traditional dynamic driver and a planar driver is how the conductor trace is located on the diaphragm. Planar drivers have the conductors on the flat surface, which allows them to respond more equally in the magnetic field than dynamic drivers. This can help eliminate the effects of acoustic resonance and what Is a Planar headphone buildup of pressure and provides the most natural and accurate rendition of your music.

Most planar magnetic headphones can be powered by just one source, such as a portable audio player or headphone amplifier with a low output impedance. Some models are designed to be resistive only that require a few watts for excellent performance. The HIFIMAN Ananda, and Susvara are a couple of examples.

Planar magnetic headphones are an excellent option for music lovers and audiophiles who appreciate high-resolution listening. They offer impressive clarity and detail to provide an amazing listening experience while also being light and comfortable. They also have a wide range of features. The Audeze LCD-5 is a perfect example of a planar headphones with these features along with an exceptional design and feel. Made in the USA this pair of open-back reference headphones is perfect for professional mixing and mastering and also for high-quality personal audio.

The Bottom Line

The world of planar headphones is fascinating, since they are able to overcome the limitations of more conventional headphone driver designs. planar magnetic loudspeakers drivers are able to create a natural, immersive listening environment with their ultra-thin, magnetically positioned diaphragm. This unique technology offers audiophiles lots however it can be a bit difficult to comprehend.

Planar drivers have a much more controlled and tighter sound than dynamic drivers. They also have a unique "plucked" quality to their sound and generally have better separation between instruments capabilities than dynamic drivers. However the bass tends to not have the punch and slam you'd get from high-end dynamic drivers.

Planar headphones don't suffer from the same distortion as dynamic drivers due to the fact that their entire diaphragm vibrates whenever an audio signal is received. This leads to a higher sound quality across a wider range of volume. They are therefore ideal for listening to long periods of time. In addition they are often powered by the integrated amps that are found on a lot of devices, so they don't require as much power as dynamic headphones.

It's important to note that planar headphones may have leakage issues due to the bidirectional movement of the dialaphragm. It means that certain sounds could escape from the ear cups. They are not recommended for use in areas with high noise levels.

When looking for headphones that are planar take into consideration that they cost more than traditional models with dynamic drivers. However the superior performance they offer more than makes up for this increased cost.

The planar headphones of Hifiman have a great reputation. Audeze, Dan Clark and Fostex are also excellent brands. However, each manufacturer has their own perspective on the acoustics of a headphone and it is recommended to listen to a few samples before buying. The Hifiman, for example, is widely considered to be one of the best-sounding and most affordable planar headphones on the market. It's an open-design planar headphones that is ideal for those who are looking to get into the world.