Planar Magnetic Earbuds

A good pair of planar magnet headphones can take your listening experience on the go to a new level, whether you're an audiophile or simply looking to upgrade. These headphones are perfect for critical listening in audio production or at home, where you can unwind with your favorite music and enjoy them with clarity and comfort.

Price

The good news is that headphones with a planar magnetic design can offer an incredible amount of detail without distorting. The bad news is that they usually have a significant cost. Planar magnetic drivers (sometimes called orthodynamic) make use of an insulated diaphragm that is sandwiched between two magnets. They sound spacious and have a wider frequency response than dynamic drivers.

Planar magnetic headphones are typically more expensive than dynamic headphones because they are larger and require more power. They also have open-back designs which bleed sound and allow in surrounding noise. This makes them less portable than dynamic counterparts and more likely to require an external amplifier to achieve optimal performance.

There are many options for budget audiophiles who are willing to sacrifice. The HIFIMAN Sundara, for example is a pair of open-back headphones that provide the speed and accuracy a planar magnet headphone can provide without breaking the bank.

Another option that is worth considering is the Audeze LCD-2 Classic, which provides a mix of bass slam and agile technicalities which make them perfect for listening to music that is heavy. The LCD-2 is also among the few headphones on this list that comes with a pelican-shaped, hard-back travel case, which provides more protection for your investment.

If you want to get the top planar magnetic headphones available, expect to pay at least $350. The models of the aforementioned HIFIMAN Sundara are detail powerhouses and an excellent entry point into the world of high-end headphones.

Design

Planar magnetic headphones utilize ultra-thin, thin membranes that are imprinted with conductors, and strung across an array of magnetic elements that manipulate them at incredible speed to create sound. They offer very low distortion and lightning fast transient response. Audeze the manufacturer claims that they also provide a wide and accurate response in terms of frequency.

Audeze, HIFIMAN HE1000se: Supreme Planar Magnetic Over-Ear Headphones (news) and other manufacturers have integrated this technology into their high-end audiophile headphones. However, these aren't your grandfather's headphones. They tend to be a lot larger and heavier than most traditional dynamic-driver models, usually leading to significant discomfort for some listeners after prolonged listening. Fortunately, several boutique audio brands have developed more compact designs that are more comfortable to wear.

In addition to their unique design, a lot of newer headphone designs have more bass than traditional headphones. Planar magnetic headphones can produce bass at a level that is higher than the majority of dynamic driver headphones. This is the case even for open-back models such as the Audeze Sundara and LCD-4z. Planar magnetic headphones, on the other hand, offer a better image quality, clarity, and structure and are able to isolate each instrument line within the mix. They also give a distinct "plucked" look that some musicians find appealing.

All of these benefits all add up to an even more natural and spacious soundstage that brings music to life, and gives it the feeling of air and space that dynamic-driver headphones struggle with. These headphones are perfect for classical and jazz music, HIFIMAN HE1000se: Supreme Planar Magnetic Over-Ear Headphones as well as modern instrumentalists. They can handle complex details and articulations, without obstructing the rest of the music. Like all headphones, there's both closed-back and open-back options which provide greater sound quality but isn't as effective in blocking out noise, while the latter provides greater privacy, but sacrifices some transparency.

Soundstage

A top-quality planar headphone can provide a larger soundstage which can enhance the authenticity and realism of your favorite music. They can reproduce bass notes with the full texture that listeners love. This creates an exciting and enjoyable listening experience.

Planar headphones produce their stunning soundstages with unique drivers. Planar headphones use thin diaphragms in place of the cones and domes that are used by the majority of headphones. These drivers are able to move a greater amount of air than normal dynamic driver speakers, which results in better clarity and accuracy in low frequency. Planar headphones are popular with audiophiles and audio engineers because of this.

These large drivers allow for a wider and broader soundstage when compared to other headphones. A good pair of planars headphones will also provide clear and spacious highs and mids. The high-quality audio that produces is unrivaled by many other types of headphones, from cheap portable models to the most expensive HiFi options available.

Do your research before upgrading to an upgraded pair of planar headphone. Make sure you read reviews by reputable audio sites like Head-Fi and the r/headphones subreddit and also look over reviews from real users on social media. This will help you decide which pair of headphones to pick according to your personal needs and preferences.

Like all headphones like all headphones, planar magnetic headphones are available with closed-back or HIFIMAN HE1000se: Supreme Planar Magnetic Over-Ear Headphones open-back designs. Closed-back headphones are more discreet, but open-back headphones let sound escape from the earcups. While both have advantages and drawbacks, the majority of listeners prefer open-back model because they offer a sense of airiness and realism to their sound.

Comfort

Planar magnetic headphones are typically very comfortable and come with earpads composed of soft materials such as suede or leather. A lot of the more expensive models also feature a headband which is both light and air-tight. This ensures that they'll be comfortable for long periods of time.

Many audiophiles opt for planar magnetic headphones due to the fact that they provide an experience of complete immersion in their music. They also deliver amazing clarity, detail, and realism that can breathe new life into your favorite tunes. They are not the best magnetic planar headphones choice for listening to your music in public due to their open-back designs, which let outside noise in.

The latest generation planar drivers can overcome this issue with a dual voice coil array that splits the diaphragm's frequency response. This allows for the lower frequencies to be handled by the switchback coil that is located on the top of the driver and the mid-high frequency to be dealt with directly by the spiral coil which is placed above the ear canal.

In the end, modern-day headphones are more comfortable and light than their predecessors. They also provide more bass-driven and cleaner sound than dynamic headphones. They are also less susceptible to distortions caused by harmonics than other kinds. This is due to the movement of the diaphragm is more rapid and more uniform than the movement of a dynamic speaker which makes it less susceptible to fluctuations in its movement.

Noise isolation

The top planar magnet headphones offer superior sound isolation over their dynamic driver counterparts. Additionally, these headphones have a lower impedance and sensitivity which makes them more suited to drive with portable electronics and require less power to operate. These headphones also have a wider range of frequencies than most other headphones. This lets you hear more detail in the audio and bass.

Planar magnetic headphones are frequently acknowledged for their clarity and precise sound reproduction. They are particularly adept in reproducing music and vocals with deep harmonics and lively instruments. This is thanks to their diaphragm that is ultra-thin which is four times bigger than the typical voice coil found in the majority of headphones. The resultant distortion is smaller, which allows for quicker response times and improved resolution and imaging.

While the top models of planar magnetic headphones cost thousands of dollars, there are many affordable options for music lovers. By determining your budget and listening preferences, you can find the perfect pair of magnetic headphones for you.

Open-back headphones offer an even more natural and spacious soundstage but they also let out the background noise. To determine the most suitable kind for you, think about the location and the way you'll utilize them. Open-back headphones provide a more spacious and natural soundstage, but also let out the background noise, whereas closed-back models prevent sound leakage and provide excellent noise amplification.

Select headphones that have soft, comfortable earpads. Also, ensure that the headband is adjustable and fits comfortably over your ears. These features are particularly important for those who wear the headphones for prolonged periods of time. Make sure you give yourself breaks between listening sessions to avoid ear fatigue. Select headphones that have equalizers (EQ) that allow you to fine-tune the sound quality.