planar headphones Magnetic Technology for Headphones

Planar magnetic technology is being revived by a few specialized HiFi audio companies. These companies design and manufacture headphones using old-school planar drivers that deliver an impressive sound quality.

This paper examines the intrinsic characteristics of a planar magnetic device by looking at the inductance of the winding, leakage capacitance and winding conduction losses. In addition, a strategy for reducing the parasitic elements in these devices is suggested.

Low vertical height or low profile

In comparison to traditional wire-wound magnetics, planar magnetic technology offers lower profile and greater efficiency. It also reduces leakage inductance and parasitic capacitance. This method allows for the use of a smaller core utilized, which reduces the cost of the device. Additionally, it does not require any clamping of the magnets. This makes it ideal for power electronics devices.

Planar magnetic technology has the advantage of being lighter and smaller than traditional headphones. It is also able to handle higher frequencies with no distortion. This is due to the diaphragm, which is flat, that is used in these devices, which is often made of a thin film and has a conductor trace on it. The film is able to react quickly to audio signals and produce high sound pressure levels.

The sound produced by these devices will be more acoustic and more precise. Many audiophiles prefer it, particularly those who prefer listening to music at home or in the office. It is important to note that the planar magnetic driver needs an amplifier that is powered and a digital audio converter (DAC) to perform correctly.

The resulting sound is much more natural and precise than that of dynamic drivers. Planar magnetic drivers are also able to respond much more quickly to changes in the audio signal, which means that they are ideal for listening to music that is fast.

Despite their benefits however, planar magnetic drivers come with several drawbacks. One is their high price which is due to the large amount of magnetic material needed for their operation. Another disadvantage is their size and weight that could pose problematic when trying to make them portable.

Wide band gap (WBG), devices

Wide band gap (WBG) semiconductors are a group of materials which have higher electrical properties than standard silicon-based devices. They can withstand higher current densities as well as higher voltages and lower switching losses. This makes them ideal for optoelectronics and power electronics applications. Wide band gap semiconductors, like gallium nitride and silicon carbide, can provide significant enhancements in performance and volume. They are also more environmentally friendly than conventional silicon devices. These advantages make them attractive to aerospace and satellite manufacturers.

Planar magnetic drivers are based using the same principles as dynamic drivers, using an electrical conductor that moves between fixed magnets whenever audio signals are passed through them. However, instead of a coil attached to a conical diaphragm planar magnetic drivers use a flat array of conductors connected to, or incorporated into a diaphragm-like film that is able to be made thin. The conductors are a set of coils' that sit on the diaphragm and sit directly between two magnets. This creates the push/pull phenomenon that creates the diaphragm's to move.

This technology provides a distortion-free music reproduction and has distinct sound that many people find pleasing. The driver moves uniformly and planar magnetic quickly due to the uniform distribution of magnetic force across the entire surface as well as the lack of a coil behind the diaphragm. This produces a clear and accurate sound. The resulting sound is known as isodynamic, orthodynamic, or magnetically-incident.

However, because of their complicated design and higher price headphones with planar magnetic drivers are usually more expensive than headphones with other driver technologies. That said there are plenty of excellent, affordable options such as the Rinko by Seeaudio and S12 / Z12 by LETSHUOER which have recently been released.

Power electronics

In contrast to traditional wire wound magnetic components, planar magnetics are more effective in dispersing heat. This lets them handle more power without creating excessive strain or audible strain. This makes them perfect for applications such as headphones. Planar magnetics are more efficient and offer greater power density. The technology is especially suitable for applications like fast charging of electric vehicles as well as battery management, and military equipment.

In contrast to dynamic driver headphones, which make use of a diaphragm suspended by a voice coil planar magnetic drivers work on a much different principle. When an electromagnetic signal is sent through the array and the magnets on either side of the diaphragm are pulled together creating a push-pull phenomenon. created. This causes soundwaves to move the diaphragm and Planar magnetic generate audio.

Planar magnetic devices are more efficient than conventional magnetics because they have a higher surface-to volume ratio. This means that they can disperse more heat and allow them to operate at higher switching frequencies without exceeding their maximum temperature ratings. They have lower thermal sensitivity compared to wire-wound devices. This allows them to be employed in smaller power electronic circuits.

To optimize a planar-boost inductor, designers should be aware of several aspects, such as the design of the core winding configuration, losses estimation and thermal modeling. Ideally, the inductor should have low leakage inductance and winding capacitance and be easy to integrate into PCBs. It must also be able to handle high currents, and have a compact size.

In addition, the inductor should be compatible with a multilayer PCB that has SMD or through-hole packages. The copper thickness must be sufficiently thin to avoid thermal coupling and limit eddy-currents between conductors.

Planar winding based on Flex circuits

In the field of planar magnetic technology, flex circuit-based windings are employed to make an inductor that is high-efficiency. They utilize one-patterned conductor layers on dielectric film that is flexible and can be fabricated by using a variety of metal foils. A common choice is copper foil, which has excellent electrical properties and is processed to allow termination features on both sides. The conductors in a flex-circuit are joined by thin lines that extend beyond the edges on the substrate. This provides the flexibility required for tape automated bonding. Single-sided flexes are available in a variety of thicknesses and conductive finishes.

In typical headphones, the diaphragm will be placed between two permanent magnets that vibrate in response to the electrical signals generated by your audio device. The magnetic fields create a sound wave that travels across the entire surface of the diaphragm and creates a piston-like motion that helps prevent distortion and breakups.

Planar magnetic headphones can reproduce a broad range of frequencies, especially at lower frequencies. This is because they have a larger surface area than traditional cone-type drivers, which allows them to move more air. Moreover, they can also reproduce bass sounds with a much greater level of clarity and clarity.

Planar magnetic headphones are expensive to make and require a powered amplifier as well as a DAC to function properly. They are also heavier and bigger than conventional drivers making them difficult to transport. Their low impedance also require a lot more power to drive, which can quickly become a problem when listening to music at high volume.

Stamped copper winding

Utilizing stamped copper windings in planar magnetic technology can improve the window's utilization ratio and reduce manufacturing costs. The technique involves making grooves in the body of the coil to hold the windings in an exact location in the layer. This prevents deformations of the coil and increases tolerances. This also reduces scrap and improves quality control. This type of planar coil is usually employed in contactor coils as well as relay coils. It can also be used in ignition coils as well as small transformers. It can also be used in devices that have a wire thickness of up to 0.05 mm. The stamping process produces a uniform coil with high current density. It also ensures that the windings are properly placed on the coil body.

Unlike traditional dynamic drivers, which use a conductor voicecoil behind the diaphragm in order to create sound waves Planar magnetic headphones feature a variety of flat conductors placed directly to the diaphragm. When electronic signals are applied, the conductors vibrate, creating a pistonic motion that creates sound. As a result, planar magnetic headphones can provide superior sound quality than other audio drivers.

In addition to reducing weight and costs it also can also increase the frequency range of planar magnetic transducers. This is crucial since it lets them operate in a much wider frequency range. In addition, it reduces the power requirements of the driver.

This new technology has certain disadvantages. It isn't easy to create a thin-film diaphragm capable of withstanding the high temperatures required by this type of technology. However, manufacturers like Wisdom Audio have overcome this issue by introducing an adhesive-free solution that can withstand temperatures of up to 725degF (385degC). This allows them to produce high-quality audio without sacrificing durability or longevity.