Top 5 Closed-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones

While it is true that planar magnetic headphones tend to be more expensive than their dynamic counterparts, this doesn't mean that they are superior. It all depends on the pedigree of the brand and how they have designed their products.

HIFIMAN's HE1000V2 has been redesigned using stealth magnets and provides better sound quality than the previous generation. You will hear more detail and clarity in classical music.

OPPO PM-3

OPPO has built its reputation with DVD and Blu-ray players, but now it has jumped into the portable headphone market. The PM-3s are targeted at the keenly contested hybrid segment for headphones that work both at home and on the move. In this regard, they're one of the few that utilize magnetic drivers in a planar configuration that you can really take out and about.

Planar magnetic headsets have a very distinctive sound They are typically flat, with excellent transient response and clarity, and are usually extremely neutral. The OPPO PM-3s are simple to listen to, and feature a high quality of detail. They're also extremely lightweight and comfortable to wear.

The earcups feature a gorgeous black leather cover, which makes them appear different from other headphones with a closed back. The earcups sport an sloping design that curves downwards over your ears, and the headband is made of the same material. The earcups fold to fit into the carry case included with the headphones.

They have an impedance of about 26 ohms. They are considered to be sensitive at 102dB. This means they have excellent power handling and should work on most mobile devices. They are not as efficient as Audio Technica MSR7s for example, but still perform admirably.

I find the upper midrange of these headphones to be on the warm side and the treble can be somewhat rolled off. They're not as muddy and slow, but they deliver a high level of clarity in the midrange that is hard to beat for this price.

A specialist supplier of high-end boutique brands, OPPO offers the PM-3s with a stylish fitted case and a robust, smart looking carry case. Both are made of "selvedge jeans" on old shuttle-looms. They also come with a few cables which include three cables for Android and Apple devices, as well as an American cable.

HIFIMAN HE1000V2

The HE1000 V2 is the newest version of HiFiMAN's flagship HE series. It has a thin diaphragm constructed with nano-technology and dual asymmetrical magnetics for closed-back planar magnetic headphones superior sound. Its design uses an opaque window to shield the driver and allow sound waves to pass. This results in an improved sound signature. This is a significant improvement over the previous version which had a thick layer of magnets that resulted in transmission interference.

The HiFiMAN HE1000V2 is a high-end headphone that radiates sophisticated style and sophistication. Its blend of elegant metal elements, luxurious leather and soft wood veneers creates a feeling of luxury that very few headphones can match. The acoustics are excellent, with their wide soundstage and natural tone. The treble is bright, prominent, and sparkly without being too harsh or sharp. Its clarity lets it be able to discern cymbals' room reverb and other subtle nuances.

Each note is handled with care. This ensures the bass isn't excessively loud or booming. Its precise timing makes it able to handle complex bass lines in genres such as EDM and hip hop. The midrange has a neutral and linear sound with perceptibly fast leading transients. It's a great accompaniment for vocals as it can reproduce the sound of acoustic instruments and voices with great accuracy.

The HE1000V2 isn't as easy to drive as the Focal Utopia. This is the case even when using an amplifier that can be carried around like the Chord Hugo. It requires a top-quality source to be optimized, which is why it's recommended to use an external DAC to maximize the performance of it. The HE1000V2 gets muddy when under-driven and loses details.

Despite its high price, the HiFiMAN HE1000V2 offers amazing value for money. Its combination with reference resolution, spatial image and a powerful bass makes it an ideal option for music lovers who want to enjoy the full soundscape. The HE1000V2's audio is a testimony to HiFiMAN's commitment to quality audio and its slim design and comfortable fit makes it perfect for long listening sessions.

Meze Liric

The Meze Liric is an excellent closed-back planar magnetic headphones (get more info) with an expansive and rich sound stage. It is light and comfortable for long listening sessions. The earpads are made of leatherette, which is more comfortable than common cloth alternatives. The copper-accented frame is a premium design that is designed to keep the heat away from the ear of the person listening. This is ideal for long listening sessions. The cross-shaped pad that sits on top of the head can help reduce the buildup of heat. The headband has been shaped to ensure that the pads don't get in your ears when wearing glasses. The ear cups are designed with an angle that is slightly higher to fit your ears. This will stop them from sliding when you move your neck. The Meze Liric is a great option for those who love music and are active and want to listen to their music moving around.

Meze continues its partnership with Rinaro with the Liric. It was created to add a new flavor to the 99 Classics Series while also competing with the most sought-after closed-back headphones available. The first Liric model was a huge success, and this second-generation version offers even more refinement to Meze's industrial designs capabilities.

It's also more affordable compared to the open-back Empyrean or Elite models. This makes it a good alternative for anyone looking to experience the benefits of planar magnetic headphones without breaking the bank.

They have high sensitivity and low impedance, which means they will be able to drive most modern sources without any issues. They also have a closed back, which means they can block out a portion of the ambient noise. However, this isn't the perfect solution for all situations, as you will still hear the sounds around you.

The Meze Liric is characterized by a rich warm, warm tone that emphasizes lower frequencies. This makes music more enjoyable, and highlights the subtleties of the music. They also have a good clarity and don't sound overly synthesized or clinical. The upper mids and the highs sound a little too soft to my ears. However, it's not a deal-breaker.

Audeze LCD-XC

The LCD-XC planar-best magnetic planar headphones closed-back headphone is a top-quality product for the price. It has a wide soundstage with excellent left to right and depth separation. It also features excellent image and micro-detail retrieval. The high-frequency response is very detailed and precise, allowing for precise playback of music. Audiophiles who want headphones that have top-quality audio quality and portability will love this option.

The Audeze LCD-XC is distinguished by its planar magnetic design with a flat diaphragm suspended in between two magnets. This design creates a consistent strong magnetic field around the driver, which minimizes distortion and offers excellent precision. The earcups of the headphone are sealed to ensure superior isolation, blocking out ambient noise. The LCD-XC's 20mm, 106mm ohm dual-sided magnet planar magnetic drivers are extremely efficient, meaning that the headphone can to create great sound using the use of a low-power source.

This headphone is very comfortable and well-constructed. It is also comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. The earcups are padded and they are perfect. The headband is constructed of a powder-coated split steel and uses a vented leather pressure strap that is able to distribute the weight evenly across your scalp and ears. The headphone's weight of 677g could be a bit heavy after a couple of hours however the earpads and headband are well-padded to ensure comfort.

Although the LCD-XC is a very impressive headphone, it has some drawbacks that make it less than ideal for certain audiophiles. It has an airy upper-treble which can be too bright to some listeners. It is also a bit lean in the lower midrange which can cause problems for some listeners.

Despite these minor issues, the LCD-XC is a extremely enjoyable headphone for critical listening and music production. The neutral bass response of the headphone is a welcome addition. It has a fantastic stage in both depth and width, great separation from left to right, and outstanding imaging and micro-detail retrieval. It also offers an excellent presentation of piano and vocals.