How Do Planar Magnetic Headphones Work?

Planar magnetic headphones are less distorted than dynamic drivers. This is because it vibrates the whole diaphragm and not just the part that is attached to the voice coil.

They also have a more spacious soundstage and better separation of instruments and differentiation capabilities. They leak more, and require isolation to stop disrupting the people who are around you.

The diaphragm

The diaphragm plays a crucial role in [almost] all transducers of sound (headphones and loudspeakers as well as microphones) that move air to create sound. In headphones, a flat piece is suspended between two magnets, and generates an electromagnetic field upon activation by audio signals. In planar magnetic headphone, the current of electricity from the source of the headphone is transmitted to the diaphragm via a coil. The coil creates an electromagnetic field that causes the diaphragm's to vibrate.

The diaphragm suspension is made of neodymium, titanium, or other artificial materials. The diaphragm can then resonate with your ear using various frequencies. Planar magnetic headphones are able to deliver high SPLs, without sounding like they are distorted.

In addition to the ability to reproduce high SPLs and high SPLs, planar magnetic headphones also provide a more immersive soundstage. This is because the flat diaphragm produces a planar wavefront instead of the spherical-focused wavefront that is found in many dynamic drivers. This means that the headphones provide an unnatural soundstage that's easier to pinpoint.

Transient response is a further benefit of headphones with planar magnets. This is due to their ability to recreate peaks that last only a few seconds in audio signals, such as the cymbal crash and kick drum hits. The diaphragm is large and moves evenly across the surface, ensuring there's no distortion when peak levels are reached.

However, the planar magnetic headphones have a few drawbacks which should be taken into account when deciding on a set. One of the main reasons why they cost more is that they are typically significantly larger than their counterparts with dynamic features. This is due to the design of their drivers, which can be quite complex, and also the history of the company behind them.

There are many affordable planar magnet headphones available for less than $100. In addition to their outstanding quality, these headphones are available in open-back and closed-back planar magnetic headphones - your domain name, designs which means you can pick which one suits your preferences for listening. The HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnets Edition and Audeze LCD-2 Classics are some of the best options available.

The voice coil

Planar magnetic headphones offer exceptional clarity and clarity across the entire range of frequencies. This is due in large part to the thin, flat diaphragm sandwiched between magnet arrays. When an electrical signal is sent from your audio source, Closed-back planar magnetic Headphones the material that conducts it's windings inside the voice coil interact with the magnetic field and cause the diaphragm's surface to vibrate and produce sound waves.

The advantage of the planar-type driver is that each vibration occurs evenly and at the same rate regardless of where the diaphragm's located within the magnetic field. This results in a more consistent sound quality with less distortion and an overall wavefront that is easier on the ears. In contrast dynamic drivers tend to produce more of a spherical soundwavefront that's less uniform and can be distracting.

Because of the way they function due to their design, planar magnetic drivers require a stronger amplification system than their dynamic counterparts. They are also heavier and bulkier due to their larger and more flexible membrane. They require an external amplifier or DAC to drive them.

In addition that, magnetic drivers that planar are more expensive than their dynamic counterparts because they are typically constructed from top-quality materials. However, a few specialist HiFi audio headphone companies have started to revive this technology in recent years. We're seeing a wide range of new headphones that have planar magnet drivers that offer the best listening experience.

The choice between dynamic and planar headphones is an individual choice based on personal taste and budget. Planar magnetic headphones are renowned for their precision and clarity and have a larger soundstage than dynamic models. However, they are typically more expensive, and many listeners prefer the powerful bass and warm sound signature of dynamic headphones.

The headphones that are made for dynamic drivers tend to have more power and slam, however this isn't always noticeable by most listeners. They are also better at imaging and distinction. There are some exceptions to the rule. A variety of excellent planar-magnetic headphones can be purchased at very affordable prices.

Magnets

In a headphone equipped with a dynamic driver, electrical signals from your source of audio travel through a coil composed of conductive material that interacts with magnetic fields inside the driver. These are used to bend the diaphragm's flatness and generate sound waves. Planar magnetic headphones on the other hand are made up of a thin sheet of conductive material that's sandwiched between two powerful magnets. They are more difficult to manufacture, which is why they're more expensive.

They are also heavier and bigger due to their design which requires more space around the drivers. They also require more power to achieve their full potential than their dynamic counterparts. This isn't an issue all the time however it's something to consider when selecting the right headphones.

It's not the case for all headphones, but the best planar-magnet headphones have a more open, airy sound. This gives them the impression that they are in a bigger space, which can be appealing to certain listeners. The soundstage they provide is also larger which can be beneficial when listening to music with other people.

Many of the top boutique brands in headphone like HiFiMAN and Audeze make use of the open-back design. They're not as popular as closed-back ones however they're an excellent way to test the benefits of planar magnetic technology. The HiFiMAN Sundara, for example is a fantastic opportunity to test the speed, accuracy and detail of these headphones.

The housing

If you're an audiophile, or just someone who enjoys good music, it's likely you've heard of planar magnetic headphones. They have a distinctive look with a flat diaphragm embedded, which can be found in both over-ear and Closed-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones open-back headphone designs. Apart from the distinctive design, these headphones also employ different working principles as in comparison to dynamic drivers.

In contrast to the traditional moving coil driver that relies on a voice coil to generate sound waves the planar magnetic headphones utilize magnets that move the diaphragm back and forth to create sound. The arrays can be placed on one or both sides based on the design. The magnets are activated when an electrical signal passes through the voice coil, causing it to vibrate. The vibrations then create magnetic fields that interact with the magnets on either side of the diaphragm. The magnetic fields cause the diaphragms to push and pull. This results in sound waves which are the audio signal.

Planar magnetic headphones can produce a richer sound and better bass extension. The diaphragm is large and flat. responds more quickly to changes in the input signals, which means they can respond quicker to bass response and are less susceptible to distortion. This gives them a tighter and more controlled sound that some audiophiles enjoy.

These headphones can reproduce higher frequencies, but they lack the slam and punch that modern dynamic driver headphones offer. As such, they can be a bit more difficult to listen to for those who wish to use them to listen to metal or hard rock music.

Planar magnetic headphones are costly because of their unique design. The drivers are powered by a digital audio converter and a specialized amplifier. This can result in a significant cost increase for some customers, but many believe that the sound quality is worth it. Regardless, it's important to remember that there are other headphones available to those who don't want to pay more than they have to.