Planar Magnetic Speakers

Planar magnetic speakers utilize a flat diaphragm to convert an electrical signal into sound. They are renowned for their accuracy as well as their clarity and detail. They also have low distortion. They offer a broad spectrum of frequencies, making them easy to hear.

Dynamic drivers have much more massive and stiff diaphragms than ultra-light and thin ones that are used in planar magnetic speakers. This restricts their ability to accelerate and move quickly which can result in distortion of the sound.

They are simple to construct.

Many people think that building planar magnetic speakers is a difficult task but they're actually very easy to make. It is essential to follow the instructions with care and build a speaker that is well-engineered. The result will be a sound system of superior quality that will rival any model sold commercially. Planar magnetic speakers are easy to construct and provide better sound quality than traditional dynamic drivers. They offer superior detail and a greater dynamic range and controlled direction which all contribute to an experience that is more immersive.

Planar magnetic speakers emit flat, highly directional waves, unlike traditional loudspeakers, which project sound in circular wavefronts. This gives them the ability to reproduce sounds at very low frequencies, which would be difficult for traditional speakers to achieve. Their precise image brings the music to life, making conventional speakers sound slow in comparison.

To create a sound wave, a driver planar magnetic uses a thin metal film suspended between two conductive panels that are stationary. The audio signal transmits an electrical current to the panel that rapidly changes between negatives and positives. The magnetic array is able to move the panel's negative end forward and back and causes the diaphragm of the panel to move. The result is a superb dynamic response and a wide soundfield with minimal distortion.

One of the most important aspects of a planar magnetic speaker's performance is its maximum excursion, driver planar which is how far the speaker can move before it starts to distort. This is measured at a specific frequency and output level. If you'd like to hear the 20-Hz bass, you'll need a speaker that has an excursion of around 1 mm.

A solid planar magnet driver must be able to keep the integrity of its structure while experiencing high excursion. It must also be able to efficiently disperse heat and handle lots of power. To fulfill these goals the speaker's voice coil must be sufficiently thick and wide. The voice coil must also be wrapped in a conductive material that is capable of conducting electricity.

They dissipate heat effectively

This is an essential aspect of any speaker. The voicecoil is close to the magnet array and has an extremely high flux density within the gap. This is the source of heat in a speaker and it must be dissipated to avoid damage and distortion. Radiation and convection are two ways in which the voicecoil is able to get rid of heat. Radiation is the preferred method as it doesn't have the pumping effects of the cone's movement however, it should be done carefully and the design must be able to handle the power that is being applied.

The first step is to make sure that the distance between your voicecoil array as well as the array is at least 1mm. This is critical, as the gap can cause very unpleasant distortion if larger than this. The gap should be large enough to permit the voicecoil to move without hitting the rearplate. The wide gap designs that are popular with manufacturers are inefficient, and only work at low frequencies.

Place a magnet over the gap, and then measure the resistance. The higher the resistance the less heat will be dissipated and the greater the risk of distortion. The lower the resistance the more efficient the speaker will be and the less distortion it will produce.

Planar magnetic speakers are able to reproduce the upper octaves with amazing precision, however they can't reproduce lower frequencies since they require a huge diaphragm. That's why many planar magnetic speakers use a woofer and tweeter in combination. This allows them to cover a larger frequency range with less distortion.

In addition to their amazing bass In addition to their excellent bass, planar magnetic drivers have a very low distortion. This is due to the fact that they are a dipole which means they radiate equal energy front and back, with an inverted phase. This is an advantage over conventional drivers that can be subject to mechanical distortion and strong Q resonances.

They can handle a large deal of power

Many people are worried that planar magnetic speakers won't be able to handle the power they require however the truth is that they can. This is because the "voice coil" is spread over an area larger than it would be in a conventional dynamic driver, which means it can distribute heat more effectively. The diaphragm is thin and light, assists in reducing distortion.

However, it's important to keep in mind that a planar magnetic speaker will still need to be driven by a lot of power to provide high-quality sound. They are sensitive to the way a room is configured because they are not able to distribute their energy like the traditional speaker. Furthermore, they are direction-specific, which means listening with a few degrees off-axis can cause the perceived sound level dropping significantly.

Another reason for their capacity to handle a large amount of power is that they're inefficient. They have lower impedances which means they require more power to achieve the same amount. Furthermore, they are susceptible to magnetic saturation, which can cause distortion.

A great way to determine the capability of a planar magnetic speaker to take on loads of power is to measure its maximum excursion. This is the most distance that the diaphragm can travel before it starts to distort upon hitting the magnet array. The most powerful planar speakers can reach a maximum distance of 1 mm.

Planar magnetic speakers also offer a greater frequency range than cone drivers. This is beneficial in certain situations. They can reproduce more frequencies, which can improve the quality of music. This can help to make it easier to differentiate between different instruments and vocals in songs.

The best planar magnetic speakers can reproduce a wide spectrum of frequencies, including the bass frequencies. This is an excellent advantage for people who want to listen to music in a variety of situations. They can be more expensive than standard loudspeakers but they offer an experience that is unique and immersive. These speakers are also great for home theater systems.

They are directional

When an electrical signal is applied to the conductive trace pattern the magnetic field causes a diaphragm movement that generates sound waves. The movement is more precise and controlled compared to conventional cone drivers. This allows for a greater frequency response. This allows planar speakers to reproduce more detail and clarity in the music.

These diaphragms that are flat are available in two designs that are dipole (radiating in both directions, similar to electrostatics and Maggies) or monopole (radiating in just one direction, similar to traditional dynamic speakers). This flexibility lets designers choose from a wide range of options when designing wall or built-in loudspeakers. They can deliver high-quality performance at an affordable price.

The diaphragm of a planar magnetic driver is typically constructed of a thin, light polymer, coated with a copper circuit that can conduct electricity. The metal-laced diaphragm is surrounded by an array of magnets that are arranged in bars with a wide spacing. The magnets in these bars create a powerful magnetic field that can attract and disperse air particles in the diaphragm. The magnetic fields also aid to disperse heat away from the speaker without creating an audible strain on the voice coil.

Planar magnetic speakers are more sensitive than cone speakers and are able to handle more power without overheating. They also have a lower impedance, meaning they require less amplification to reach the same levels of listening. They can reproduce the full spectrum of audio frequency including highs and bass. They are usually paired with woofers boxed to reproduce low frequencies with greater precision.

The relatively poor damping of single-ended planar magnetic loudspeakers is a disadvantage. This can lead high-Q resonances within the low frequency range of the speaker's response, which may color the sound. This issue can be addressed by a hybrid design which blends the advantages of dipole and planar technology.

One of the most important factors for the success of a planar magnetic speaker is proper placement in the room. Several audio characteristics are affected by this, such as the bass response, driver planar imaging and the width and depth of the soundstage. Toe-in is a negative influence on the midrange and the higher frequencies. The speaker should ideally be located where the central image narrows the greatest.