Best Planar Magnetic Headphones Under $1000

If you are a music lover and would like to upgrade your headphones, a planar magnetic set can be a great investment. However, they can also be quite costly.

There are plenty of fantastic options for headphones that are priced below the $1000 mark. In this article, we'll look at the best budget planar headphones that will provide an unforgettable listening experience.

1. Beyerdynamic T1

Beyerdynamic is a cutting-edge German brand when it comes to headphone design. The Beyerdynamic T1 is made from high-quality materials and has a classic design. It's an absolute pleasure to wear. They are extremely comfortable and come with a soft headband with richly-padded and replaceable ear pads. They may feel rough on the skin initially but they quickly meld into the ears and head and provide long listening sessions with no discomfort.

The T1 has a very natural sound with a controlled but high-pitched bass and clean mids. The highs are bright and detailed but can be somewhat overwhelming for those who prefer a smoother treble. These headphones are great for critical listening, and they excel at medium-low volumes. They can maintain their balance while playing aggressive music like death metal or blackmetal, and won't be overwhelmed by cymbal crashes.

The T1 is a powerful speaker with a large dynamic range. It is able to reproduce extreme differences in the volume of quieter and louder passages with precision and clarity. They are a great option for musicians who want to be able to hear every nuance and detail of their instrument as well as audiophiles who like the ability to distinguish between various instruments in the song.

The gold-plated connectors on the earcup and the Beyerdynamic Logo are a nice touch. This is a mark of quality and is a guarantee that you're getting a top quality product. The headphones are protected by a durable case when not in use. A detachable cable as well as a quarter-inch adapter are included.

The Beyerdynamic T1 has a closed back design, and isn't portable. They won't protect you from the everyday noises like traffic jams or children's alarm clocks, as well as irritating partners. They are not designed for sports like running with them since the ear cups that are large are prone to slip off your ears. The Beyerdynamic T5p features an open-back design similar to the T5p, but with Ear cups that are smaller, which means they could be a better option for listening on the on the go.

2. HIFIMAN SUNDARA: Ultimate Over-Ear Planar Magnetic Headphones Ananda Nano

The HIFIMAN Nano is the latest version of the popular mid-range, open-back headphones. The Nano is the next step in technology from the original Ananda model, featuring the latest nanometer-thick diaphragm as well as a clarity-enhancing stealth magnets that were also used on the ultra premium Susvara headphone. These features promise low distortion, lightning-fast transient response, and demonstrably improved clarity and dynamics.

The resulting soundstage is large and deep, with great separation of instruments and vocals. The Nano has a warm sound with a high point in the upper mids, making it ideal for hip-hop rock, and pop.

This emphasis on the upper mids can have certain disadvantages. It creates a slightly muffled sound, particularly in the higher registers, gaming where some details is lost. The Nano is also not as suitable for classical music due to the lower mids are typically overshadowed.

The bass is powerful and punchy with great texture in the lower reaches and excellent bass and dynamics. It's a little more full than the bass of the original Ananda that is perfect for contemporary music such as pop, rock and gaming, yet it still offers plenty of rumble, which is pleasing to audiophiles who want the natural sound of their bass.

As expected leakage is not a good thing for headphones with an open back. It is a problem when in noisy environments. The headphone is also not equipped with an audio microphone, so you won't be able make mobile phone calls.

The HIFIMAN Ananda Nano has lot to offer, and it is a highly recommended option to anyone who is seeking an open-back planar magnetic headphone for less than $1000. It's an excellent upgrade over the previous model, and it's worth a look. The Ananda Nano comes with a travel bag that is an excellent addition for audiophiles on the move. The case is large enough to hold the Ananda Nano, its cable as well as a compact DAC or player. Inside the case, you will also find a carrying pouch. The headphones are made of high-quality and durable, and have a 3-year warranty.

3. Hifiman Edition XS

When HIFIMAN introduced the Edition X, it created quite a stir in the audiophile space. The company has applied the same technology to the smaller, more affordable headphone that is positioned between the Sundara and the Ananda. The Edition XS uses the same aerodynamically-shaped stealth magnets and a thin "Neo Super-Nano Diaphragm" to guarantee fast response time with minimal distortion.

These headphones are constructed to the highest standards as all other HIFIMAN's headphones. They are durable enough to withstand the rigors of heavy use and are comfortable to wear during long listening sessions. The cups are constructed of an anti-resonant, vibration-reducing material. The box comes with a cord that is tangle-free and has an unidirectional plug and the headphone holder which can be used to store the headphones.

The Edition XS planar magnetic headphones have a high resolution and detail. You'll be able to hear details in your music you wouldn't have heard before. Or you may even find flaws you would not have seen in other headphones. They're incredibly clear and have an expansive soundstage that can fill a large space with clear, three-dimensional detail.

These headphones have a balanced and neutral sound quality, which means they are suitable for any genre of music. They are excellent at reproducing vocals and lead instruments accurately. However, they could be lacking some rumble and punch when it comes to bass. They have clear precise high frequencies, but they may be too bright for some listeners.

The HiFiman Edition XS is a excellent choice for anyone looking for an open-backed planar magnetic headphones that can be used in noisy environments and doesn't need much power to drive. The low impedance (18O) makes it possible to drive with almost all DAC or headphone amplifier, but you'll probably achieve the best results with an audio interface that incorporates a headphone amplifier. The headphones aren't the most compact and can be heavy, but they come with a padded travel bag. These headphones are a bit more expensive than other options however they're worth the price for their features and quality.

4. Audeze LCD-5

The Audeze LCD-5 is the company's most recent flagship planar magnetic headphones. It is an entirely new design, with a brand new magnet planar and driver. This is no small upgrade over previous models and places the LCD-5 solidly in the high-end of the market for personal audio. The LCD-5's drivers consist of ultra-thin Nano-Scale Diaphragms that are paired with Parallel Uniforce voice coils and Fazor Waveguides. These new features work in conjunction to control the movement of the diaphragm and provide a high resolution.

The LCD-5's earpads have been designed to fit more heads. The pads are constructed of a more flexible material and the headband is lighter and smaller, so the LCD-5s will feel more comfortable on most ears than past models. They do clamp slightly more than other Audeze headphones however, and they could be a little tight on some, but this will improve with time.

Audeze LCD series has been a benchmark in planar magnetic headphones for years. Their flagship LCD-2 brought in the new era of high-fidelity audio, followed by the LCD-3 and LCD-4. The LCD-5 continues to follow the trend by providing improvements to all aspects of the headphones' sound quality and design.

Compared to the LCD-2, the LCD-5's sound is more refined and less aggressive in its presentation. This is due to their increased focus on midrange detail retrieval, surgical treble precision and microdetail retrieval. The LCD-5s can still deliver huge dynamic range with a full-bodied bass. However, they're not as punchy as the models like the Abyss A-1266 or Hifiman HE1000SE and will often require EQ adjustments to sound their best.

Audeze LCD-5 headphones are outstanding with their stunning sound signature. They also boast an outstanding build quality. The LCD-5 isn't a good choice for all. But if you're willing to spend the money, and want headphones that provide an incredible listening experience, then look no further. It's worth every cent.