Planar Magnetic Headphones

Planar magnetic headphones produce uniform soundwaves by using a thin, flat membrane suspended between magnets. This provides a better understanding of soundstage, greater clarity and a unique sound distinct from standard dynamic driver headphones.

They are generally more expensive and are harder to drive than dynamic headphones, however they are a worthwhile investment for audiophiles. You can get headphones for less than $400. They include the budget-friendly Hifiman HE400i or Monoprice Monolith M1070.

Soundstage

Planar magnetic headphones with big drivers can create a large soundstage. These expansive soundscapes will allow you to hear more details and create an immersive listening experience. You can better identify the individual instruments and vocals in the mix. This makes them a great choice for mixing in a studio or use.

In addition to their amazing soundstage, these headphones are also renowned for their outstanding bass performance. Their massive drivers can move a lot of air, which gives them the ability to reproduce deep and full-bodied bass notes with incredible precision and clarity. This is a major improvement over the dull, muddy bass that you get from the majority of dynamic driver headphones.

Planar magnetic headphones are distinctive in that they use a flat diaphragm, sandwiched in an conductive pattern that is sandwiched between two arrays of magnetic material. When an electrical charge flows through the conductive trace, it creates a magnetic field that causes the diaphragm's surface to vibrate and produce audio waves. The diaphragm's motion is controlled by the magnetic field and it is evenly distributed across the entire surface area. This results in an isodynamic field which ensures that the movement of the diaphragm is consistent across the entire frequency range.

Since the distortion generated by a dynamic driver is due to the voice coil moving in and out of contact with the diaphragm, plane magnetic headphones have considerably less distortion than their dynamic counterparts. This means that you will be able to hear music exactly how the artist intended, even at high volume.

One downside of planar magnetic headphones is that they leak a bit more than traditional open-back headphone models. The huge diaphragms of these headphones can move a massive amount of air. Some of that air escapes through the open back. If you're in a quiet area this shouldn't be an issue.

Choosing between dynamic and planar magnetic headphones really depends on your preferences in listening and your budget. Planar magnetic headphones are the best choice if you value precision, clarity and low distortion.

Detail

Planar magnetic headphones have gained a lot of traction among audiophiles in recent times. They are renowned for their large sound, they use flat diaphragms that move with amazing agility and speed to produce superior high frequencies and rich bass. The conductor trace of the planar headphones is anchored to the diaphragm's flat surface and responds to the magnetic fields produced by two opposing magnetic poles. This allows the drivers to reproduce frequencies with greater variations than other headphones, without experiencing distortion of the driver or damage to the diaphragm when they are used at high volumes.

The flat diaphragm can also produce an enlarged and more planar soundwavefront than dynamic drivers, with a more narrow, circular soundwavefront (although some high-end dynamic driver headsets, like the Focal Utopia can expand to 20Hz). The wider, more expansive soundstage of planar magnetic headphones give them an remarkable ability to bring out the specifics in recordings. This is especially noticeable when it concerns instruments. The clarity and precision of the planar magnetic headphones allow you to hear every string, woodwind, and piano note exactly as designed by the composer.

A good pair of headphones can also reproduce the sounds that surround you. Based on the design of the ear cups, and whether they're closed-back or open-back headphones, some models leak sound from the inside of the ear cup. This isn't a problem in most instances, but it could be a nuisance to those who what are planar magnetic drivers around you while you listen. With this in mind, it's important to look for headphones that are specifically designed to prevent leakage, or even have an optional grille you can use for listening in public places.

It is essential to select headphones that fit your lifestyle and preferences for listening. With a variety of styles, sizes and prices, there's bound to be an array of planar magnetic headphones that give you the best music experience for you!

Comfort

A planar magnetic headphones uses thin diaphragms with conductors strung across various magnets to manipulate the sound waves. The wider wavefront produces more natural and immersive sound with incredible clarity as well as speed and precision. They are very heavy and require an amp specifically designed for them to reach their full potential.

Many of the specialized HiFi audio headphone manufacturers have brought back this old technology in recent years which allows listeners to experience a new level of awe-inspiring audio quality thanks to the power of planar drivers. Although they might not appear as sleek and contemporary as high-end models, they are known for their rich bass, intimate sound, and great stage depth.

Despite their size and unique structure, these headphones are surprisingly comfortable and easy to wear. The ear cups are designed to enclose your ear and Planar headphone block out all noise so you can focus on your audio. They do not clamp around your neck or head as do other headphones. The lightweight build and comfortable earpads can be a big draw for some listeners.

A planar magnetic headphone's price is another disadvantage. Although you can find budget-friendly dynamic headphones, a lot of planar models require an specialized DAC and amplifier to get the most out of them. They are more complex than their dynamic counterparts and require plenty of power to move the magnets.

While there are a few affordable choices (such as the HIFIMAN Deva or AUdeze Venus), most planar headphones fall in the top end of the spectrum, with some of the best options being over $400. It's an expensive investment if you listen to music on the go or play games most of the time. However, for those who enjoy music in its finest form the planar headphones provide the best listening experience.

The main drawback of planar headphones, despite their excellent sound quality, is their leakage. The bi-directional movement of the dual magnets can cause them to push sound outward which could disturb people sitting near you or let in noises from outside. Certain models are more susceptible to this than others, but it is a problem for the majority of listeners who would like to enjoy the sound of a pair of these headphones in an unobtrusive environment.

Noise isolation

For a pair of headphones to be called "headphones" they should be able to shield your ears from the environment. A high-quality pair of planar magnetic headphones should have an ergonomic design and the finest materials to stop noise from escaping your ears. This will cut down on the noise you hear and give you an experience that is more immersive.

In general they tend to be bigger and heavier than their counterparts that are dynamic. This is because the driver has a larger surface area to produce sound which requires a bigger earcup. Boutique HiFi audio brands also like to use earcups that look as good as they sound, using exotic woods and composites in their designs.

Planar Headphone magnetic headphones regulate electrical current using an electrified film sandwiched between magnets. The magnetic field on either side of the film causes it to vibrate, generating sound waves. The fact that the entire diaphragm is being driven to vibrate by a magnetic field instead of just a small area connected to a coil for voice means that they are less susceptible to distortion at high volume.

A lot of the newer planar magnet headphones have weaker bass and lack some of the "slam or punch" you would get from a high-end pair with dynamic drivers. It's a tradeoff, but one that can be sorted out by careful comparisons between various types of headphones.

It is recommended to shop around for planar magnetic headphones, and then read reviews from both audio websites for professionals and users on the r/headphones Subreddit. That's how you can be sure that the pair of headphones you pick will offer the best planar headphones performance for your needs and musical taste. After you've made this decision then all you have to do is to determine a suitable price/performance ratio. The Monoprice M1060 headphones are a great example, as they combine incredible audio quality with a sleek and stealthy design and comfortable pads that rival headphones that cost more than the M1060.