Planar Magnetic Headphones

planar magnetic headphones explained magnetic headphones use a thin, flat diaphragm that is suspended between two magnets to create uniform soundwaves. This gives a better soundstage, more clarity and a distinct sound signature.

They tend to be more expensive and are harder to drive than dynamic headphones, however they are a worthwhile investment for audiophiles. You can purchase a pair of headphones for less than $400. These include the affordable Hifiman HE400i or Monoprice Monolith M1070.

Soundstage

Planar magnetic headphones that have large drivers can create a wide soundstage. These vast soundscapes allow you to hear a greater amount of detail which results in an immersive listening experience. You will be able to distinguish the individual instruments and vocals in the mix. This makes them a great choice for studio or mixing use.

Planar magnetic headphones are renowned for their amazing bass performance. Their massive drivers can move a significant amount of air, which gives them the ability to reproduce full and deep bass notes with incredible precision and clarity. This is a huge improvement from the tinny bass that you get when you use the most dynamic driver headphones.

The headphones of the planar magnetic type are unique in that they utilize a flat diaphragm, sandwiched in an conductive pattern that is sandwiched between two arrays of magnetic material. When an electrical current runs through the conductive trace, it creates a magnetic field which causes the diaphragm's surface to vibrate and create audio waves. The magnetic field controls the diaphragm's motion and is evenly distributed over the entire surface. This results in an isodynamic field, which ensures that the diaphragm's motion is consistent across the entire frequency range.

The distortion produced by a dynamic driver is caused by 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 loud volume.

Planar magnetic headphones leak more than dynamic models with open backs. This is due to the huge diaphragms that are used in these headphones move a great amount of air, and some of it escapes the open back of the headphone. But, if you're listening in a quiet environment, this shouldn't be an issue.

The decision between dynamic and planar magnetic headphones comes down to your budget and listening preferences. If you are looking for accuracy, detail and low distortion, a pair planar magnetic headphones are the best option for you.

Detail

In recent years, audiophiles have become more interested in headphones that are planar magnetic. They are known for their spacious sound signature, they employ flat diaphragms that move with incredible speed and flexibility to produce superior high frequencies and a deep bass. The conductor Headphones Shop trace that is present on the planar headphones is anchored to the diaphragm's flat surface and reacts to the magnetic fields produced by two opposing magnetic poles. This allows them reproduce frequencies with higher amplitude than other headphones without experiencing distortion to the driver or damage to the diaphragm at high volumes.

This also results in the diaphragm's flat shape creating a larger, more planar sound wavefront, rather than an spherical wavefront that is more focused like dynamic drivers (although some newer, high-end dynamic driver headphones such as Focal Utopia can extend well to 20 Hz). Planar magnetic Headphones Shop feature larger, more expansive soundstage that allow them to display recordings with greater detail. This is especially evident when playing instruments, as the clarity and detail that planar magnetic headphones provide let you hear every individual woodwind note, string, and piano key clearly, exactly as they were intended by the composer.

Another quality of a good pair of headphones is the way they reproduce sounds from around you. Some headphones let sound leak through the back of the earcup, depending on whether they're closed-back or open-back. In many instances this isn't a problem, but in some it could be disruptive to others who are nearby while you're listening. In this case you should choose headphones that limit leakage or have an optional grille that you can use in public areas.

It's crucial to choose the right headphones for your lifestyle and preferences in listening. There are a variety of styles, sizes and prices of a planar magnetic headphones that will fit your preferences for listening.

Comfort

A planar headphone is made up of thin diaphragms engraved with conductors strung across a variety of magnets which alter sound waves in ways that traditional dynamic headphones cannot. This wider wavefront creates more natural and immersive sounds with remarkable detail as well as speed and precision. They are heavy and need a dedicated amp to reach their full potential.

In recent years, many specialist HiFi audio brands have brought this old technology back. This lets listeners enjoy new levels of audio quality. These headphones may not look as sleek as dynamic models, but they're known for their deep bass, intimate sound and excellent stage depth.

These headphones are comfortable and easy to wear despite their size and distinctive design. The earcups will seal within your ear canals and block out ambient noise which allows you to focus on your audio, but they don't clamp onto the head and neck like certain over-ear models can. The light build and comfortable earpads can be an important factor for many listeners.

The price of a planar magnetic headphone is another disadvantage. You can find budget-friendly dynamics headphones, but many models require a dedicated amplifier/DAC to get the most out of them. They are more complicated than their dynamic counterparts and require plenty of power to move the magnets.

Although there are some affordable choices (such as the HIFIMAN Deva or AUdeze Venus), most planar headphones fall into the premium category with some of the most expensive choices costing over $400. It's an expensive expense if you listen to music only on the move or play games all the time. However, for those who love music in its finest form, planar headphones offer the best listening experience.

Despite their excellent sound quality however, the main drawback of the majority of headphones with planar design is their leakage. The bi-directional movement of dual magnets cause the sound to be pushed outward, which can disturb those nearby or let in outside noises. Certain models are more susceptible to this than others, but it's a concern for most listeners who would like to listen to the sound of these headphones in a quiet environment.

Noise isolation

A pair of headphones must be able to isolate your ears from their surrounding environment in order to be referred to as "headphones". A high-quality pair of planar magnetic headphones will use ergonomic design and the best materials to prevent the sound from entering your ears. This will cut down on the noise you hear and give you more of an immersive experience.

As a rule they tend to be larger and heavier than their counterparts that are dynamic. This is due to the driver itself has an increased surface area to deliver sound, requiring a bigger earcup. Audio brands that are boutique like to use earcups that look as good as they sound. They use exotic woods and composites in their designs.

Planar magnetic headphones work by regulating electrical current via an electrified layer that is sandwiched between two magnets. The magnetic field on either side of the film causes the diaphragm to move and creates sound waves. The diaphragm is vibrating as all of it, not only a small portion that is attached to the voice coil. This means they are less likely to become distorted when played at a high volume.

However, many newer planar magnetic headphones are a little weak in bass and don't have quite as much "slam" or "punch" that you can get from a high-end pair of dynamic drivers. It's a trade-off, but one that can be resolved by careful comparisons between various models of headphones.

It's best to look around for magnetic headphones, and read reviews from both audio sites for professionals and users on the subreddit r/headphones. This way, you can be certain that the pair of headphones you pick will offer the right performance for your needs and taste. After that, it's just a case of finding a good price-to-performance ratio. The Monoprice M1060 headphones are a great example, as they combine a stunning audio quality with a sleek and stealthy design and comfortable pads that rival headphones that cost much more than the M1060.