The Benefits of a Planar Magnetic Driver

Planar magnetic drivers are commonly used in the top headphones and IEMs. It offers many advantages that differentiate it from other balanced or dynamic armature driver types.

It is important to be aware of the disadvantages of planar drivers. They are a higher price and the need for an amplifier to drive them.

Ultra-thin diaphragms

Every sound we hear – from the loudest cymbal crash to the tiniest rumble on a bench for a piano - is portrayed by an intricate turbulent wave of pressure. The driver of a high-quality headphone needs to reproduce these waves accurately without omitting any details or distorting the audio. This requires a lightweight diaphragm that is thin and able to respond quickly and swiftly to a range of frequencies.

Planar magnetic drivers employ an elongated diaphragm coated with a conductive coating and floats between magnets. This allows them to create a uniform magnetic field over the entire diaphragm and significantly reduce distortion.

This approach, however creates additional challenges like the possibility of membrane resonance problems and airflow turbulent within the grid-like magnetic arrays. These issues could result in the frequency of mechanical resonance in the diaphragm which is a lot higher than the input frequency, which reduces the sensitivity of a voice pressure sensor.

Utilizing a patent-pending technology called "Spherical Acoustic System" (SAS), Final was capable of overcoming these limitations with the D8000 using a single piece of material that functions as a diaphragm and conductor. This solution was based on ribbon speakers with their spherical conductors, however it was cheaper for headphones because of its dimensions and power requirements.

Another challenge common to many plansar magnetic designs is a ringing sound that is present on high-frequency, online low-frequency bass notes. This is caused due to a mismatch in the force of the magnetic field applied to the diaphragm and the natural flexing characteristics of the diaphragm.

Final employed a thin polymer film dubbed Parylene to address this issue. This material was selected because of its superior housesofindustry.org mechanical flexibility, stability and thickness uniformity. These qualities were crucial to ensure that a thin, rigid film would stretch without forming unwanted wrinkles or wrinkles.

Superior transient response

The fundamental operation of planar magnetic drivers is the same as traditional dynamic drivers, how they generate sound waves is different. The primary difference is that the conductor of a planar driver is laid out in a flat, 2D pattern on the diaphragm rather than a coil wrapped around an oval diaphragm. This lets the conductor react to magnetic fields on both sides of the diaphragm to produce sound waves with high precision. This technology eliminates the requirement for voice coils that can change their impedance based on frequency, creating distortion-free music.

Planar magnetic drivers are also lighter and more durable than traditional drivers due to the fact that they don't contain moving components which can wear over time. They are also less prone than conventional drivers to harmonic distortion which can degrade the quality of audio. They also have a quicker response time and can reproduce transient sounds at a higher speed.

The huge surface area of the diaphragm planar, however it requires more power in order to move it and generate sound waves. Therefore, these headphones require an amplifier for headphone that can be able to drive them at a sufficient level. Some listeners may not be interested in the extra weight and expense.

Another benefit of planar magnetic drivers is that they produce a large soundstage, which can be more spacious than traditional dynamic headphones. This is because a large, flat diaphragm creates a planar wavefront rather than the spherical wavefront that is focused typical of dynamic drivers. This is an important attribute of planar earphones headphones and gives a full-bodied listening experience.

Audio reproduction that is natural and faithful

Planar magnetic drivers offer more natural and precise sound reproduction than conventional dynamic driver models. Planar magnetic drivers create equal magnetic forces using two rows of magnets, unlike traditional dynamic drivers that have a cone-shaped, curved membrane that is vibrating. The diaphragm is moved in a wavelike motion. This can help to reduce distortion. They are also able to reproduce music in a wider frequency range, from the lowest lows up to the highest highs which makes them a perfect choice for music enthusiasts and sound professionals.

The diaphragm, which is thin and flexible, in a planar magnet driver moves more quickly than an active driver. This allows it to respond to changes in the sound signal and create precise reproduction. In addition, the lack of a coil sitting behind the diaphragm minimizes the likelihood that there will be contact between the mechanical parts that could cause distortion at higher volumes.

The diaphragm can easily displace large volumes air in order to reproduce bass frequencies. The diaphragm's dimensions and flexibility are crucial to produce the deep bass that you hear in your music. Dynamic drivers on the other hand tend to be smaller and stiff, making it difficult for them to stand up to the high-speed excursions needed to reproduce the bass.

Despite their advantages they aren't used as often in headphones or IEM products due to their high price and the complexity of their design. This is partly due to the fact that they need amplifiers to be driven. This limits their portability. Yet, they are well-liked by music lovers and critical listeners who value their excellent performance and superior audio quality.

Wide frequency response

Planar magnetic headphones employ diaphragms with flat and uniform diaphragms to create sound in a measured and even manner. This produces a wide frequency response, which allows for a precise and accurate reproduction of music. They are also known for their high transient response, which means they are able to react quickly to audio signals and reproduce them as accurately as they can.

To accomplish this, they employ a planar array of conductors distributed over a thin diaphragm, sandwiched between two magnets. When an electrical signal is sent to this array of conductors, it turns into electromagnetic and interacts with the diaphragm's magnetic field, housesofindustry.org producing that aforementioned push/pull action. This allows the diaphragm's magnetic field to interact with audio input quickly, resulting in superior sound reproduction.

Another thing that makes these drivers so loved by audiophiles is their low distortion rate. They don't cause the same amount of harmonic distortion since they don't have the same moving parts. They also have a lower resistance and provide only a pure resistance load to amplifiers. This makes them easier to drive.

Planar magnetic drivers are commonly used in high-end audio equipment due to their superior performance. However, this also means that they are more expensive and require an amplifier which makes them less suitable for a 'grab and go' driver. Audiophiles will sacrifice the additional cost and effort for the high-quality headphones they provide. They are regarded as an excellent choice for those who want the best listening experience.

Low distortion

The diaphragm of a planar magnet driver is thin which means it can move at high speed without losing control. This allows for a highly accurate and quick response to sudden changes in the audio signal. This lets you hear the subtleties of music more clearly, and makes them sound more natural and realistic.

Another benefit of planar magnetic drivers is that they provide the same force of driving across the entire diaphragm, which prevents distortion at higher volume levels. Planar magnetic headphones sound great due to the fact that dynamic drivers employ diaphragms which are larger and heavier, which cannot move as fast or with the same speed. They can even break if forces are too high or exceed their structural integrity limits, causing the diaphragms to move out of the sync.

On the other side the planar magnetic drivers generate a very strong electromagnetic force that is directly applied to the diaphragm. This eliminates the requirement for a voice coil, which is commonly required in headphones that use traditional dynamic cone drivers. This allows for greater dynamic range, a wider soundstage, and exceptional bass response.

Due to these benefits due to these advantages, planar magnetic drivers are widely considered to be the best type of headphone driver for audiophiles. Although they do have considerations such as cost and power requirements, their ability to deliver superior sound quality makes them a perfect option for those who want the best quality audio reproduction. When compared to other kinds of headphones, these drivers offer superior detail and exceptional clarity in all frequencies, with the exception of for low bass (where dynamic drivers are generally still preferred). If you're in search of the best headphones for high-end music that can deliver superb audio at any price, be sure to check out our top selections below!