The Benefits of a Planar Magnetic Driver

Planar magnetic driver is a type of audio technology that is present in a variety of highest-quality headphones and IEMs. It has many advantages that set it apart from other dynamic or balanced armature driver types.

It is essential to be aware of the drawbacks of Planar Earphone drivers. They are more expensive and require an amplifier to be driven.

Ultra-thin diaphragms

Every sound we hear, from the most raucous cymbal crash to the faintest creak of piano bench, is represented by a turbulent pressure wave. The driver of a high-quality headphone should reproduce these waves accurately, without distortion or omitting any details. This requires a thin, diaphragm that is able to respond quickly to a wide range or frequencies.

Planar magnetic drivers utilize a flat diaphragm that is coated with a conductive coating and floats between magnets. This allows them create a uniform field of magnetism across the entire diaphragm surface, reducing distortion.

This approach, however, presents additional challenges, such as the possibility of membrane resonance problems and turbulent airflow within the grid-like magnetic arrays. These issues can result in the frequency of mechanical resonance in the diaphragm that is several times greater than the input frequency, which reduces the sensitivity of a voice pressure sensor.

Final was able overcome these limitations making use of a single material that functions as a diaphragm, and a conductor. This design was inspired by ribbon speakers and their spherical conducting, but it was more cost-effective for headphones because of its dimensions and power requirements.

Another problem that is common to many plansar magnetic designs is a ringing sound that occurs on high-frequency, low-frequency bass notes. This is caused by an inconsistency with the force of the magnet applied to the diaphragm compared to the natural diaphragm's flexing.

To solve this issue, Final used an ultra-thin polymer film referred to as Parylene. The material was chosen due to its superior mechanical stability, bendability, and uniformity of thickness. These qualities were crucial to ensure that a thin, solid film would stretch without forming unwanted wrinkles or creases.

Superior transient response

While the basic operation of planar magnetic drivers is the same as traditional dynamic drivers, the way they produce sound waves differs. The main difference is that in the case of a planar magnetic device, the conductor is laid out on the diaphragm in an 2D flat pattern instead of a coil that is positioned around a cone shaped diaphragm. This allows the conductor to react to magnetic fields on both sides of the diaphragm to create sound waves with high accuracy. This technology eliminates the need for voice coils that can alter their impedance depending on frequency, resulting distortion-free music.

Additionally that, planar magnetic drivers are more robust and durable than conventional drivers, as they do not have moving parts that can wear out over time. They are also less susceptible than conventional drivers to harmonic distortion which can degrade the audio quality. They have a quicker reaction time and reproduce sounds faster.

However, the vast surface area of a diaphragm planar requires more power to move and create sound waves. As a result, these headphones require a headphone amplifier that can be able to drive them at a sufficient level. Some listeners might not be interested in the additional weight and expense.

Another benefit of planar magnetic drivers is that they produce a wide soundstage, which can be more spacious than traditional dynamic headphones. This is due to the large diaphragm, flat, moves more evenly to create an asymmetrical sound wavefront rather than a focused and spherical wavefront, which is typical of dynamic drivers. This is a major feature of planar headphones and gives a full-bodied listening experience.

Audio reproduction that is accurate and natural

Planar magnetic drivers offer more natural and faithful sound reproduction than traditional dynamic driver models. Contrary to conventional dynamic drivers, which feature a cone-shaped diaphragm which is able to move back and forward and forth, planar magnetic drivers utilize dual rows of magnets to create equal magnetic forces on the diaphragm. This causes the diaphragm to move in a wave-like motion, which helps avoid distortion. They are also able to reproduce music in a wider frequency range, ranging from the lowest lows to highest highs, making them an ideal option for music lovers and sound professionals.

The diaphragm, which is thin and flexible, of a planar magnetic driver moves faster than that of a conventional dynamic driver and is able to respond to changes in the sound signal and produce an precise reproduction. The absence of a coil behind the diaphragm also reduces the possibility that mechanical parts will meet up with each with each other, which can cause distortions at higher volume.

As a result, the diaphragm can effortlessly displace large volumes of air to reproduce bass frequencies. The diaphragm's size and its flexibility are essential in generating the rich bass you hear in your favorite music. Dynamic drivers on the other hand tend to be small and stiff, making it difficult for them to withstand the high-speed excursions needed to reproduce the bass.

Despite their advantages they aren't as frequently used in headphones or IEM products due to their high price and the complexity of their design. Partly, this is due to the fact that they need amplifiers to be driven. This makes them less portable. However, they are still popular with music lovers and critical listeners who appreciate their excellent performance and superior audio quality.

Wide frequency response

While many IEMs and headphones employ traditional dynamic drivers with cone-shaped diaphragms that move back and forth to produce audio waves, planar magnetic headphones employ flat and uniform diaphragms which produce sound in a more controlled and even manner. This results in a wide frequency response, providing precise and accurate reproduction of music. They are also known as having a superior transient response. This means that they are able to react quickly and precisely to audio signals.

In order to achieve this, they use a planar array of conductors that're distributed over a thin diaphragm, sandwiched between two magnets. When an electrical signal is delivered to this conductor array, it transforms into electromagnetic energy and interacts with the diaphragm's magnetic fields producing that aforementioned push/pull action. This allows the diaphragm to respond quickly to audio signals, resulting in excellent quality music reproduction with outstanding quality and precision.

Another reason that makes these drivers loved by audiophiles is their low distortion rate. They can't produce the same amount of harmonic distortion since they don't use the same moving components. They also have lower impedance than their counterparts and present an unresistive load to amplifiers, which makes them easier to drive using the power they require.

Due to their superior performance Due to their superior performance, Planar Earphone planar magnetic drivers are often used in higher-tier audio equipment. However, this does mean that they are more expensive and require an amplifier to operate and are therefore not suitable for a grab and go' kind of driver. Audiophiles will trade the extra cost and effort in exchange for the quality that these headphones provide. They are the best choice for anyone who wants to enjoy a great listening experience.

Low distortion

The diaphragm of a planar magnetic driver is extremely thin, meaning it can move at high speeds without losing control or breaking down. This gives a great transient response. This means that the driver will respond to abrupt changes in audio signals quickly and precisely. This allows you to perceive the details in music more clearly and makes them sound more natural and real.

Another advantage of planar magnetic iem magnetic drivers is that they create a uniform driving force across the entire diaphragm. This eliminates distortion at higher volume levels. Planar magnetic headphones sound great due to the fact that dynamic drivers employ diaphragms which are heavier and thicker, which cannot move as quickly or with the same acceleration. They can even break when forces are too strong or exceed their structural integrity limits, which causes the diaphragms to go out of the sync.

Planar magnetic drivers on the other hand, generate powerful electromagnetic force that is directly applied to the diaphragm. This eliminates the need for a voice coil which is required in most headphones that employ traditional dynamic cone drivers. This allows for more dynamic sound, planar earphone a bigger soundstage, and a superior bass response.

As a result of these advantages they are widely considered to be the most suitable headphone driver for audiophiles. They do have some considerations regarding cost and power requirements, however their ability to provide excellent audio quality is a great choice for those who require the highest quality audio reproduction. These drivers offer superior clarity and detail in all frequencies, with the exception of low bass. Dynamic drivers are preferred. If you are searching for a pair of headphones that can provide great sound for any price, then be sure to check our top selections!