How Do Planar Magnetic Headphones Work?

As compared to dynamic drivers, planar magnetic planar headphones headphones have lower distortion. This is because the whole diaphragm vibrates rather than just the portion that is attached to the voice coil.

They also have a larger soundstage and better separation of instruments and differentiation capabilities. They do leak more and require isolation to prevent the sound from affecting those nearby.

The diaphragm

The diaphragm is an essential element in nearly every sound transducer (headphones as well as loudspeakers and microphones including) that moves air to produce sound waves. In headphones it's a flat piece of diaphragm, suspended between two magnets that produce an electromagnetic field when stimulated by audio signals. In planar magnetic headphones the electric current that comes from the source of the headphone reaches the diaphragm through a coil that generates magnetic force, which causes it to vibrate.

The diaphragm suspension is composed of titanium, neodymium or other artificial materials. The diaphragm will then resonate with your ear using various frequencies. Planar magnetic headphones are able to provide high SPLs, but without sounding distortion-free.

In addition to being able to reproduce high SPLs, planar magnetic headphones also provide a more immersive soundstage. This is due to the flat diaphragm produces the planar wavefront rather than the spherical focused wavefront found in many dynamic drivers. The headphones create an overall soundstage that is more natural that is more easily to locate.

Another advantage of planar magnetic headphones is their excellent transient response. This is due to their ability to recreate short-lived peaks in audio signals, for example crashes of cymbals and kick drum strikes. The huge size of the diaphragm and the fact that it is able to move evenly across its surface ensures that there is no distortion at these high points.

Planar magnetic headphones have a few disadvantages that you should consider when selecting a set. For one, they tend to be more expensive than their dynamic counterparts. This is mainly due to the design of their motors that can be complex, as well as the history of the brand behind them.

There are a variety of budget-friendly planar magnets that cost less than $100. In addition to their exceptional quality, these headphones are available in open-back and closed-back designs which means you can pick which one suits your listening habits best. Audeze LCD-2 Classics and HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnets Edition are two of the top headphones on the market.

The voice coil

Planar magnetic headphones are well-known for their precision and accuracy providing incredible clarity and detail across the entire frequency range. This is mostly due to their flat, thin diaphragm, which is sandwiched between two arrays of magnets. When an electrical signal from your audio source is transmitted through the conductive materials, the windings in the vocal coil are able to interact with the magnetic field and cause the dialym to oscillate. This creates sound waves.

The planar-type driver benefits from the fact that each vibration occurs at the same rate and is uniform, no matter the location of the diaphragm in the magnetic field. This produces a more consistent and uniform sound with less distortion. It's also more comfortable to listen to. Dynamic drivers on the other hand, tend to produce sound waves that are less uniform and more round.

Due to the way in which they function due to their design, planar magnetic drivers require a more powerful amplifier system than their dynamic counterparts. They are also heavier and bulkier because they must accommodate the larger, more flexible diaphragm. In turn, they typically require an external amplifier and DAC to provide enough power to enable them.

Additionally the planar magnetic drivers are much more expensive than their dynamic counterparts because they are typically constructed from top-quality materials. In recent years, however some HiFi audio headphone manufacturers have revived this older technology. Consequently, we're witnessing a myriad of new headphones with planar magnetic drivers that provide an incredible listening experience.

Like everything else in life, the choice between dynamic and planar magnetic headphones comes down to your personal preferences and budget. Planar magnetic headphones have an enlargement of the soundstage than dynamic models and are renowned for their incredible quality and precision. However, they're often more expensive and many listeners prefer the powerful bass and warm sound of dynamic headphones.

Dynamic driver headphones tend to have more punch and slam, however this isn't often noticed by listeners. They also offer better clarity and imaging. Nevertheless, there are plenty of exceptions to this rule, and some excellent headphones that are planar-magnetic can be found at a very affordable price.

Magnets

In a typical headphone with a dynamic driver, the electrical impulses sent by your audio source go through a conductory material that interacts with the magnetic fields within the driver. They are then used to manipulate the diaphragm's flat shape and generate sound waves. Planar magnetic headphones utilize a thin layer of conductors sandwiched between powerful magnets. They're more difficult to make and are the reason they're more expensive.

A larger and heavier design is also a result of the need for more space around drivers. They also require more power to achieve their full potential than their more dynamic counterparts. This isn't a problem often but it's something to think about when choosing these headphones.

It's not true for all headphones, Blue Tooth but the best planar magnet headphones have a more open, airy sound. This can give them a sense that they are in a larger space which is appealing to some listeners. The soundstage they provide is also larger, which can be helpful when listening to music with others.

The open-back design is a popular option for a number of designer headphone brands, including the likes of HiFiMAN and Audeze. While they're not as common as closed-back models, Blue Tooth 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, accuracy and detail of these headphones.

The housing

You might have heard of planar magnet headphones if you are an audiophile or if you simply like good music. They sport a unique design, with flat diaphragms that are embedded into the headphone. They are available in both over-ear and open-back designs. These headphones are not just unique in appearance, but also work using a different mechanism than dynamic drivers.

Planar magnetic headphones, unlike traditional moving coil drivers that rely on the voice coil to produce sound waves, use an array of magnets that move the diaphragm to produce sound. These arrays can be placed on one or both sides, depending on the design. The magnets are activated by an electrical signal that travels through the voice coil, causing it to vibrate. The vibrations generate magnetic fields that interact with magnets on the opposite side of the diaphragm. The magnetic fields cause the diaphragms pull and push. This creates sound waves that are the audio signal.

Planar magnetic headphones are able to produce a richer sound and a more extended bass. The large, flat diaphragm responds much faster to changes in the input signal, meaning they can respond faster to bass response and are less prone to distortion. This gives them a more controlled, tight sound that audiophiles like.

These headphones are capable of reproducing higher frequencies, but they lack the slam and punch modern dynamic driver planar headphones provide. They aren't the best choice for those who prefer to listen to hard rock music.

The cost of planar magnetic headphones is high due to their unique design. They also require a specific amplifier and digital audio converter to supply the drivers with power. Some people might find that the cost of these headphones is higher, but they think that it's worth it. Whatever the case, it's important keep in mind that there are other headphones available to those who don't want pay more than they have to.