The Benefits of a Planar Magnetic Driver

planar Headphone (www.Headphonesshop.uk) magnetic drivers are commonly used in the best headphones and IEMs. It offers many advantages that allow it to stand out from more conventional balanced or dynamic armature drivers.

It is crucial to be aware of the drawbacks of planar drivers. They are more expensive and require an amplifier to be driven.

Ultra-thin diaphragms

Every sound we hear – from the loudest cymbal crashing to the slightest creak on a piano bench - is represented by an intricate tumultuous wave of pressure. The driver of a high-quality headphone needs to reproduce these waves faithfully without missing any details or distorted audio. This requires an extremely thin and light diaphragm which can respond quickly to a variety or frequencies.

While dynamic drivers are powered by a voice coil that is attached to a conical diaphragm, planar magnetic drivers feature an elongated diaphragm that is skinned with a conductive film that moves between fixed magnets. This enables them to create a uniform magnetic field across the entire diaphragm, thereby reducing distortion.

However, this approach introduces other challenges such as the possibility of membrane resonance issues and airflow turbulence in the grid-like magnet arrays. These issues could result in a diaphragm mechanical resonance frequency that is several times greater than input frequency, reducing the sensitivity of a voice pressure sensors.

With a patent-pending technology known as "Spherical Acoustic System" (SAS), Final was capable of overcoming these limitations with the D8000 by using a single piece of material that is both diaphragm as well as conductor. This solution was inspired by ribbon speakers and their spherical conductors, however it was more affordable for headphones because of its size and power requirements.

Another problem that is common to many planar magnetic designs is a ringing sound that is seen on high-frequency and low-frequency bass notes. This is due to a mismatch with the force of the magnet that is applied to the diaphragm as compared to the natural flexing of the diaphragm.

To resolve this issue, Final used an ultra-thin, polymer film known as Parylene. This material was selected due to its superior mechanical stability, bendability and uniformity of thickness. These traits were necessary to ensure that the thin, rigid film could be stretched without forming undesirable wrinkles or creases.

Superior transient response

The fundamental operation of planar magnetic drivers is similar to traditional dynamic drivers, how they produce sound waves differs. The main difference is that the conductor of a planar driver is laid out in a flat 2D pattern on the diaphragm rather than a coil wrapped around the diaphragm in a cone. The conductor is able to react to magnetic fields on both the diaphragm's sides, and create sound waves with great precision. This technology also eliminates the need for a voice coil that could alter its impedance based on its frequency, resulting in distortion-free music reproduction.

In addition that, planar magnetic drivers tend to be more durable and lighter than traditional drivers, as they don't contain moving parts that can wear out over time. They are also less prone to harmonic distortion which can result in a decrease in the audio quality. They also have a faster response time and are able to reproduce sounds that are transient with greater speed.

The vast surface area of the planar diaphragm, however, requires more power in order to move it around and create sound waves. This is why these headphones require an amplifier to drive them at adequate levels. The additional weight and cost can be a turnoff for some listeners.

Planar magnetic drivers also produce larger soundstages than dynamic headphones, making them appear more spacious. This is because a large flat diaphragm produces a planar wavefront rather than the spherical wavefront that is focused typical of dynamic drivers. This is the main feature of planar headphones, which provides an immersive listening experience.

Natural and faithful audio reproduction

Planar magnetic drivers offer more natural and precise sound reproduction than traditional dynamic driver models. Unlike conventional dynamic drivers that have a cone-shaped diaphragm, which is able to move back and back and forth using two rows of magnets to create equal magnetic forces on the diaphragm. The diaphragm moves in a wavelike manner. This helps to avoid distortion. They can also reproduce music across more frequencies including the lowest lows up to the highest highs. This makes them an ideal choice for sound professionals and music enthusiasts.

The thin and flexible diaphragm of a planar magnetic driver moves much more quickly than traditional dynamic drivers which allows it to react to changes in the sound signal, and create an accurate reproduction. In addition, the absence of a coil sitting behind the diaphragm decreases the likelihood that there will be contact between the mechanical parts which could cause distortion at higher volumes.

In the end, the diaphragm can effortlessly displace huge amounts of air to reproduce bass frequencies. The diaphragm's size and its flexibility are crucial to produce the deep bass that you hear in your favorite music. Dynamic drivers are typically small and stiff. This means they are not able to handle the high-speed excursions needed to reproduce the bass.

Despite their advantages they are not used as much in headphone or IEM products because of the high price and the complexity of their design. Partly, this is due to the fact that they require amplifiers to be driven. This restricts their portability. They are still popular with music fans and critics who appreciate their high sound quality and excellent performance.

Wide frequency response

While many headphones and IEMs employ traditional dynamic drivers with a cone-shaped diaphragm that moves between two directions to create audio waves, planar magnetic headphones employ flat and uniform diaphragms which create sound in a more controlled and even manner. This leads to a wider frequency response, which allows for precise and accurate reproduction of music. They are also known for their outstanding transient response, which means they can respond quickly to audio signals and reproduce them as precisely as is possible.

In order to achieve this, they use a planar array of conductors distributed across a thin diaphragm that's sandwiched between two magnets. When an electrical signal is transmitted to this conductor array, it becomes electromagnetic and interacts with the diaphragm's magnetic field, which causes the push/pull motion mentioned earlier. This allows the diaphragm's magnetic fields interact with audio inputs quickly, producing high-quality sound reproduction.

The low distortion rate is a further reason these drivers are so popular with audiophiles. Since they don't have the same moving parts as other types of headphones, they can't create as much harmonic distortion. Additionally, they have lower impedances than their counterparts and provide an entirely resistive load to amplifiers, wireless which makes them more efficient to drive with more power.

Due to their superior performance, planar magnetic drivers are commonly used in higher-end audio equipment. However, this does mean that they are more expensive and require an amplifier in order to function, making them less suitable for a grab and go' type of driver. Audiophiles will trade the extra cost and effort in exchange for the quality that these headphones offer. These headphones are considered the best option for those who wish to have a fantastic listening experience.

Low distortion

The diaphragm of a planar magnet driver is very thin, so it can move at a fast speed without losing control. This results in a high transient response. This means that the driver is able to respond to abrupt changes in audio signals very quickly and accurately. This lets you hear the subtleties of music and make them sound more natural and real.

Planar magnetic drivers also have the advantage of creating the same amount of force throughout the diaphragm, preventing distortions when the volume is increased. This is one of the primary reasons why headphones with planar magnetics sound so good - dynamic drivers are made of thicker and heavier diaphragms that aren't capable of moving as fast or with as much acceleration. They can even break when forces are too strong or exceed their limit of structural integrity, causing the diaphragms to move out of sync.

On the other the other hand, planar magnetic drivers produce a very strong electromagnetic force that is directly applied to the diaphragm. This eliminates the need for a voice coil, which is required in the majority of headphones with traditional dynamic cone drivers. This allows for better dynamics, a larger soundstage, and exceptional bass response.

Due to these advantages they are widely considered to be the best headphone driver for audiophiles. Although they do have issues like cost and power requirements, their ability to deliver exceptional sound quality makes them a perfect option for those looking for 2020 the highest quality of audio reproduction. When compared to other kinds of headphones, these models provide superior clarity and transparency in all frequencies except for bass frequencies (where dynamic drivers are usually still preferred). If you're seeking a pair that will deliver great audio for any price, then be sure to take a look at our top picks!