Planar Magnetic Headphones

Planar magnetic headphones produce uniform soundwaves by using a thin, flat membrane that is suspended between magnets. This gives a greater sense of soundstage, greater clarity and a unique sound signature that sets them apart from other dynamic driver headphones.

Audiophiles might find them to be more expensive and difficult to drive however, the cost is worth it. You can purchase a pair for less than $400, like the budget-friendly Hifiman HE-400i or Monoprice Monolith M1070.

Soundstage

With their large drivers these headphones create soundstages that are extremely wide. These expansive soundscapes allow listeners to experience a more detailed sound and create an experience that is more immersive. You are able to better distinguish the instruments and vocals that are in the mix. This makes them a great choice for studio or mixing use.

Planar magnetic headphones are renowned for their incredible bass performance. Their large drivers are able to move a lot more air, allowing them to reproduce deep bass notes with amazing accuracy and clarity. This is a significant upgrade from the dull, muddy bass you get when you use the most drivers that are dynamic.

The headphones of the planar magnetic type are unique in that they use a flat diaphragm that is sandwiched by an conductive pattern that is sandwiched between two arrays of magnetic material. When an electrical charge is passed through the conductive pattern it creates magnetic field which causes the diaphragm to vibrate and create sound waves. The magnetic field controls the diaphragm's motion and is evenly distributed across the entire surface. This results in an isodynamic field, which ensures that the diaphragm's motion is constant throughout the entire frequency range.

Planar magnetic headphones are considerably less distortion than dynamic headphones, since the distortion that is caused by a driver that is dynamic comes from the voice coil moving between and between the diaphragm and voice coil. This means that you'll be able hear the music exactly how the artist intended, even at high volume.

One drawback of these headphones is that they leak more than standard open-back dynamic headphone models. The massive diaphragms inside these headphones move an enormous amount of air. Some of that air escapes through the open back. However, if you are listening in a quiet environment, this shouldn't be a problem.

The decision between planar magnetic headphones and dynamic headphones is dependent on your budget and listening preferences. Planar magnetic headphones are the best option for those who value precision, clarity and low distortion.

Detail

In recent years, audiophiles have been more attracted to the planar magnetic headphones. They are known for their large sound, they use diaphragms made of flat material that move with amazing speed and flexibility to produce superior high frequencies and a deep bass. The conductor trace of planar magnetic headphones is attached to the diaphragm's flat surface and reacts to the magnetic fields created by two opposing magnetic poles. This allows them reproduce frequencies with greater excursions than other headphones, without causing distortion in the driver or damage to the diaphragm when played at high volumes.

This also results in the diaphragm's flat surface creating a wider, more planar sound wavefront, rather than the more narrow spherical waves like dynamic drivers (although some of the latest, high-end dynamic driver headphones like Focal Utopia can extend into 20Hz). The wider and more expansive soundstage of these headphones gives them an especially impressive ability to reveal particulars in recordings. This is particularly noticeable with instruments, where the clarity and detail that planar magnetic headphones provide allow you to hear each individual note on a woodwind instrument and piano note clearly, exactly as they were originally intended by the composer.

A good pair of headphones can also reproduce the sounds around you. Some headphones leak sound through the back of the earcup in accordance with whether they are open-back or closed-back. In many instances it's not a problem however in certain cases it can be disruptive to those around while you're listening. In this instance it is recommended to choose headphones that limit leakage or come with an optional grille for use in public areas.

It's important to choose the right headphones for your lifestyle and preferences for listening. There are a variety of designs, sizes, and prices of planar magnetic headphones that will fit your preferences for listening.

Comfort

A planar-style magnetic headphones employs thin diaphragms and Planar Earphone conductors strung on a variety of magnets to alter the sound waves. This wider wavefront creates more natural and immersive sound with remarkable clarity as well as speed and precision. However, they tend to be heavy and require a dedicated amplifier to maximize their potential.

Many of the specialized HiFi audio headphone manufacturers have reintroduced this older technology in recent years which allows listeners to experience a new level of awe-inspiring audio quality thanks to the power of planar drivers. Although they might not appear like sleek and modern high-end models, they are well-known for their deep bass, intimate presentation and excellent stage depth.

Despite their size and unique design, these headphones are surprisingly comfortable and easy to wear. The earcups can be sealed inside your ears and block out any background noise, allowing you to focus on your audio, but they don't cling to the neck and head like certain over-ear models can. Some listeners are also attracted to the light-weight design and comfortable earpads.

A planar magnetic headphone's price is a further drawback. There are budget-friendly headphones, but many planar models require a separate amplifier/DAC to get the most out of them. They are more complex than their dynamic counterparts and require plenty of power to move the magnets.

Some planar headphones are affordable (such as HIFIMAN's Deva and the AUdeze Venus), but most are considered to be high-end and some priced at more than $400. This is a big expense, especially in the case of listening to music on the go or spend most of your time gaming but for those who wish to enjoy music with the most crystal clear and realism, they provide an incredible listening experience.

Despite their great sound however, the main drawback of the majority of planar headphones is leakage. The bi-directional movement of dual magnets cause them to push sound outward and can cause a disturbance to those sitting near you or let in outside noises. Certain models are more susceptible to this than others, but it's a problem for the majority of listeners who want to enjoy the sound quality of these headphones in a quiet space.

Noise isolation

A pair of headphones should be able isolate your ears from their environment in order to be called "headphones". To achieve this, a high-quality planar magnetic headphones will make the best construction materials and ergonomic design to prevent sound from escaping through your ears. This will lessen the sound that you hear and offer an experience that is more immersive.

As a rule, planar magnetic headphones tend to be larger and heavier than their dynamic counterparts. This is because the driver's own design uses an increased surface area to deliver sound which requires a larger earcup. Boutique HiFi audio brands like to create earpieces using exotic woods and composites.

Planar magnetic headphones regulate electrical current using an electrified film sandwiched between magnets. The magnetic field that is present on either side of the film causes the diaphragm to vibrate and produce sound waves. The fact that the entire diaphragm is being caused to vibrate by the magnetic field, not just a small area connected to a voice coil makes them less susceptible to distortion at high volume.

However, many newer headphones with Planar earphone magnetics aren't as strong in bass and don't have the same amount of 'punch' or'slam' that you might get from a high end pair of dynamic drivers. It's a trade-off, and one which can be resolved through careful comparisons of different sets of headphones.

Therefore it's best to spend your time when searching for a pair of planar magnetic headphones and read the reviews carefully from professional audio websites as well as users on the subreddit r/headphones. You'll be able to ensure that the headphones you choose will satisfy your musical and audio requirements. Once you've done that it's a matter of finding an acceptable price-to-performance ratio. The Monoprice M1060 over-ear headphones are an excellent example of this, combining amazing audio quality with a sleek, stealthy design and comfortable pads that compete with those of headphones costing much more than the M1060.