Top Planar Magnetic Headphones

Planar magnetic headphones offer an immersive and Planar Magnetic iem spacious listening experience. They're popular among audiophiles looking to upgrade their listening experience.

The best planar magnetic headphone depends on your priorities. It's all about image quality, clarity and distinction, as well as bass slam and punch.

1. Audeze LCD-2 Classic

The original LCD-2 was the first pair of planar magnetic headphones to really take off. It's so popular that it has become synonymous with technology. It's still among the best headphones in its class. The sound quality is amazing - especially for a headphone that is priced at over $1,000. The bass is so deep that it goes past the human hearing range, and has an incredible amount of detail. The upper mids are warm, but not overbearing. Overall, the sound is rich in detail and has very little distortion.

The earpads are also comfortable. The headband is soft and flexible, and the earpads are very plush. They are also light enough to be worn for long listening sessions without becoming too fatigued. However, they don't offer an airtight seal around your ears like the open-back models do, and this means you'll be able to hear the surroundings. This isn't an issue in quiet environments, but it can be a problem in louder ones.

The LCD-2 Classics have a very solid construction and are made to last. The earcups are made of crystal-infused nylon which is an excellent material for headphones. It is durable and much lighter than the wood rings used in other Audeze models.

The LCD-2 Classics do not feel as luxurious as other high-end headphones. They have an "artisanal" feel with all the screws visible, and a lack of finish on the metal components. They are still a fantastic pair of headphones, however they may not be the best choice for everyone.

If you're looking for a similar headphone that is cheaper then the Monoprice Monolith M1060 is an excellent option. These headphones feature the same excellent design and technology as the LCD-2 Classics, but they come at a more affordable cost. They also have an improved seal on the earcups, and include a carry case. The LCD-2 Classics are missing the amazing bass extension and clarity that they have. However the sound quality is impressive and should please the majority of audiophiles.

2. Meze LIRIC

Meze Audio has made a name for itself thanks to its innovative and affordable range of planar magnetic headphones. The LIRIC 2nd Generation is the latest model of the company's headphone. It builds on the success of the first generation model, with improved performance and new striped finishes for improved modularity.

The LIRIC has an entire frequency response that ranges from 4Hz to 92,000 Hz. This delivers music with exceptional clarity, and a vast soundstage. The QWRM (Quarter Wavelength Ressonator Mask) of the headphone effectively reduces high-frequency peaks, which can be a strain on the ear.

The headphones are designed to block out noise from the surrounding environment and allow for high-fidelity listening moving about. The headphones sport an ovoid design that is reminiscent of the the human ear for an immediate connection to the source of the sound.

The Meze LIRIC is equipped with the company's proprietary Isodynamic Hybrid array driver, which has dual-shaped voice coils to improve audio quality and spatial sound. Dual voice coil is the result of more than 30 years of research and development, making it the most lightweight and advanced planar magnetic closed back headphones magnet driver on the market.

To improve their sound quality, LIRIC headphones come with a pressure equalization system that precisely regulates airflow and the pressure of the earcup chamber. This lets the listener hear the same sound quality regardless of whether they wear the headphones in an office or on the plane.

In my tests during my testing, the Meze LIRIC produced a stunningly well-balanced and smooth sound that is extremely enjoyable to listen to for long sessions. The bass is punchy and deep, with a sharp treble. The soundstage is large and there is good separation between vocals and instruments. I loved that there was no detail that was too small for the headphones to miss, from the roar of PJ Harvey’s 50ft Queenie to the individual guitar strings.

If you're looking for the best $2000 closed-back Planar Magnetic Iem magnetic headphones, the Meze LIRIC is a great option. It's a good alternative to the Dan Clark Audio E3 but has a slightly different timbre and is a bit lighter overall.

3. Meze Elite

Meze Audio, a Romanian manufacturer, has been trying to up their game in recent years, releasing several flagship products. The Elite is Meze Audio's most premium headphones to date. It replaces the Empyrean, which was previously their most popular.

The Elite is also an open-back, but with unique wings that improve wearability. These wings work much like the design of Dan Clark, HiFIMan, or Sendy headphones in that they distribute the weight of the Elite's more powerful than average driver across a larger area of your head to improve the comfort of listening for long periods. They work well and I've worn the Elite for a long time without any discomfort.

The Elite is a reference style headphone that has an upgraded hybrid isodynamic driver. It is capable of delivering extremely low harmonic distortion, less than 0.1% over its entire frequency range. It has an extremely sensitive sensitivity of 101 dB/mW, and an impedance of 32 ohms. This means it can be driven by low-cost headphone amps or DAPs if they are compatible with the standard jack.

The Elite's diaphragm is another significant improvement over the Empyrean and is moving away from the polymer that was developed by a custom-made company to use a low-mass semi-crystalline film that has been engineered through sequential biaxial lengthening. This allows the Elite to have an extremely slim yet strong diaphragm, while still providing excellent resistance to fatigue and stress cracking.

The Elite's lower-mass diaphragm results in increased speed and resolution. It is now able to compete with competitors like the Audeze LCD-2 Classic at a less expensive price. In actual fact, the Elite is possibly even more resolving than the LCD-2 and it can sound extremely neutral while delivering an impression of depth, transparency, top-end air, and transients, making it an excellent choice for those who enjoy rock music and other genres in which bass is very prominent.

4. Meze HE400SE

The HE400SE is among the most popular headphones made of planar magnetic material around. It's an excellent choice for any audiophile who is looking to make the jump to open-back headphones. It's also an excellent entry-level headphone for those who are already comfortable with planar magnetic technology. It is equipped with HiFiMAN's Stealth Magnet Design, which minimizes distortion and wave diffraction to nearly inaudible levels.

While the HE400SE doesn't have the bass extension that some other HiFiMAN models do, it still delivers excellent low-end performance for a headphone with an open back. The HE400SE has a very full and planar magnetic iem deep low end however it doesn't sound boomy. The general tone is neutral but with elevated trebles and forward midrange that many listeners will find pleasing.

Vocals are crystal clear on the HE400SE. The HE400SE is a great option for listening to acoustic music and also orchestral and classical music. It's the most affordable headphones to listen to this type of music. If you're used closed-back headphones that have a bass-heavy tuning, the transition could be uncomfortable. It takes a few listening sessions to adjust to it.

The HE400SE's sound quality is impressive. The HE400SE can produce a large and rich soundstage that allows musicians to feel comfortable in the space. The vocals and the drums are prominent in the song by Prince called Let's Go Crazy. The guitar solo is prominent and can be easily heard over the other instruments.

Finally, the HE400SE is a great treble extension and clarity. The treble is a little warm, but not abrasive at all. It doesn't sound as bright as some other open-back headphones that have a brighter treble, but it doesn't sound as sibilant or fatigued.

The HE400SE has an impedance of 25 O which means it will require a powerful amplifier to achieve its maximum SPL. It works with the majority of smartphones and portable music players, but it will require an amplifier that has a minimum of 0.5 W output to achieve its maximum SPL.