How Do Planar Magnetic Headphones Work?

Planar magnetic Premium Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones - Edifier WH950NB are less distortion-free than dynamic drivers. This is because it vibrates the whole diaphragm and not just the portion that connects to the voice coil.

They also have a wider soundstage, and better separation and differentiate capabilities. They leak more, and require isolation to prevent disrupting the people nearby.

The diaphragm

The diaphragm is a key function in nearly all transducers of sound (headphones and loudspeakers and microphones) that move air to produce sound. In headphones, it's a flat piece of diaphragm suspended between two magnets that create an electromagnetic field when stimulated by audio signals. In planar magnetic headphone, the current of electricity from the source of the headphone is transmitted to the diaphragm through a coil. The coil creates an electromagnetic field that causes the diaphragm's to vibrate.

The diaphragm suspension consists of neodymium, titanium, or other synthetic materials. This allows the diaphragm to resonate with your ear at various frequency. Planar magnetic headphones are able to provide high SPLs without sounding like they are distorted.

In addition to the ability to reproduce high SPLs, planar magnetic headphones also offer a superior soundstage. This is due to the flat diaphragm creates an asymmetrical wavefront, not the spherical-focused wavefront that is found in many dynamic drivers. The headphones create a more natural soundstage that is easier to pinpoint.

Another benefit of magnetic headphones that are planar is their exceptional transient response. This is due to the capability of headphones with planar magnetics to reproduce short-lived peaks like cymbal strikes and kick drum hits. The size of the diaphragm as well as the fact that it is able to move evenly across its surface mean that there is no distortion at these peaks.

Planar magnetic headphones have a few disadvantages that you should consider when choosing a pair. They are usually much more expensive than their dynamic counterparts. This is mainly due to the design of their motors that can be complicated, as well as the history of the brand behind them.

There are a variety of affordable planar magnet headphones that cost less than $100. In addition to their impressive performance, these headphones are available in open-back and closed-back designs and you can pick which one fits your preferences best. The HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnets Edition and Audeze LCD-2 Classics are some of the top options on the market.

The voice coil

Planar magnetic headphones are known for their accuracy and precision providing amazing clarity and detail across the entire frequency range. This is due to their thin, flat diaphragm, which is sandwiched between two arrays of magnets. When an electrical signal is sent from your audio source, the conductive material windings within the voice coil are able to interact with the magnetic field, causing the diaphragm to vibrate and produce sound waves.

The planar-type driver benefits from the fact that each vibration happens at the same speed and is uniform, no matter the position of the diaphragm within the magnetic field. This results in an even and consistent sound with less distortion. It's also easier to listen to. In contrast, dynamic drivers tend to create more of a spherical soundwavefront that's less consistent and can be distracting.

Planar magnetic drivers due to the way they operate, require a stronger amplification system. They are also more heavy and bulkier due to the larger and more flexible membrane. They require an external amplifier or DAC for power to them.

Planar magnetic drivers are more expensive because they are typically made of top-quality materials. In recent times, however, some HiFi audio headphone makers have revived this old technology. As a result, we're seeing a number of amazing new headphones that feature planar magnetic drivers that provide an incredible listening experience.

The decision between dynamic and planar headphones is an individual choice based on personal taste and budget. Planar magnetic headphones are known for their clarity and accuracy, and have a slightly larger soundstage than dynamic models. Dynamic headphones are more expensive, but they have a heftier bass and a warmer sounding signature.

In general dynamic driver headphones offer some more slam and punch than those with planar magnetic designs, but the differences aren't often apparent to most listeners. They also have better ability to perceive structure and distinguishing. There are a lot of exceptions to this rule, and some of the best magnetic headphones are available at a very affordable price.

The magnets

In a typical headphone that has a dynamic driver the electrical signals sent by your source of audio travel through a conductive material that interacts with the magnetic fields within the driver. These are then used to manipulate the flat diaphragm and create sound waves. Planar magnetic headphones utilize an extremely thin layer of conductors sandwiched between powerful magnets. This makes them a bit more complex to produce, which is one of the reasons they're often more expensive than their dynamic counterparts.

They are also bigger and heavier because of their design, which requires more space around the drivers. They also require more power to reach their full potential than their more dynamic counterparts. This isn't an issue all the time but it's something to think about when choosing these headphones.

It's not the case for all headphones but many of the best planar magnet headphones have an airier, more open sound. This gives them a sense of space that can be quite appealing for certain listeners. The soundstage they provide is also a bit larger and can be useful when listening to music with other people.

Many of the top boutique brands in headphone like HiFiMAN and Audeze employ the open-back design. While they're not as common as closed-back models, they're an excellent way to experience the strengths of planar magnetic technology. The HiFiMAN Sundara, for example is a fantastic way to test the speed, audiophiles accuracy and clarity of these headphones.

The housing

If you're an avid audiophile or just a person who enjoys good music, it's likely you've heard of the planar magnetic headphones. These headphones have a unique design, with flat diaphragms that are embedded into the headphone. They are available in both open-back and over-ear designs. These headphones aren't just unique in design but also operate on a different principle than dynamic drivers.

Planar magnetic headphones, in contrast to traditional moving coil drivers, which use a voice coil to create sound waves, employ array magnets to move the diaphragm in order to create sound. These arrays can be positioned on either one or both sides based on the design. The magnets are activated when an electrical signal passes through the voice coil and causes it to vibrate. The vibrations generate magnetic fields that interact with the magnets at either side of the diaphragm. The magnetic fields cause the diaphragms to pull and push. This creates sound waves that represent the audio signal.

Planar magnetic headphones are able to provide a more resonant sound and better bass extension. The diaphragm is large and flat. responds faster to changes in input signals, so they can respond faster to bass response and are less prone to distortion. This results in a more precise and more controlled sound that some audiophiles love.

But, even though these headphones may be capable of reproducing higher frequencies, they do not have the punch or slam of modern high-end dynamic driver headphones. As such, they can be a bit difficult to listen to by those who wish to to listen to hard rock or metal music.

The cost of planar magnetic headphones is high because of their unique design. The drivers are powered by a digital audio converter and a separate amplifier. This can result in an expensive cost increase for some consumers, but many believe that the sound is worth the cost. Regardless, it's important to be aware that there are different headphones available to those who don't want to spend more than they need to.