How Do Planar Magnetic Headphones Work?

Compared to dynamic drivers, magnetic headphones with planar design have less distortion. This is because they vibrate the entire diaphragm, not only the portion that connects to the voice coil.

They also have a larger soundstage, and better separation and differentiation capabilities. However, they do leak more, which means you need to isolate yourself to avoid disturbing people near you.

The diaphragm

The diaphragm is a key component of nearly every audio transducer (headphones microphones, loudspeakers, and headphones included) that moves air to produce sound waves. In headphones, a flat piece is suspended between two magnets and produces an electromagnetic field when activated by audio signals. In a planar magnetic headphone (Extension Unimagdalena Edu blog entry), the electric current emanating from the headphone's source is transferred to the diaphragm through a coil that generates a magnetic force that causes it to vibrate.

The diaphragm suspension consists of neodymium, titanium or other artificial materials. This allows the diaphragm to resonate with your ear at various frequencies. Planar magnetic headphones are able to deliver high SPLs, without sounding distortion-free.

Planar magnetic headphones are not only able to reproduce high SPLs but also have an enhanced soundstage. The reason for this is because the flat diaphragm produces an asymmetrical sound wavefront instead of the focused spherical wavefront found in most dynamic drivers. In turn, the headphones deliver an enveloping soundstage that is easier to localize.

Transient response is a further benefit of using planar magnet headphones. This is the ability of planar magnetic headphones to reproduce short-lived peaks, like cymbal smacks and kick drum strikes. The large size of the diaphragm and the fact that it's able to move in a uniform manner across its surface ensures that there is no distortion at these peak frequencies.

Planar magnetic headphones have some disadvantages that you should consider when deciding on a set. One of the main reasons they are more expensive is that they tend to be significantly larger than their counterparts with dynamic features. This is mainly due to the design of their drivers which can be complex, as well as the pedigree of the company behind them.

There are fortunately excellent, Planar Magnetic Headphone affordable planar magnetic headphones that you can purchase for under $100. In addition to their impressive performance, these headphones come with closed-back and open-back designs, so you can choose which one fits your preferences best. The HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnets Edition and Audeze LCD-2 Classics are some of the best options on the market.

The voice coil

Planar magnetic headphones offer exceptional clarity and precision across all frequencies. This is due in large part to the thin, flat diaphragm, which is sandwiched between two arrays of magnets. When an electrical signal from your source of audio is transmitted to the vocal coil, the conductive materials that wind the vocal coil interact with the magnet field, and cause the dialym to oscillate. This produces sound waves.

The planar-type driver has the advantage that each vibration happens at the same rate and is uniform, no matter the position of the diaphragm within the magnetic field. This produces a more consistent and uniform sound with less distortion. It is also easier to listen to. Dynamic drivers, on the other hand, tend to produce sound waves that are less uniform and more spherical.

Because of the way they function they require a more powerful amplification system than their dynamic counterparts. They are also larger and heavier due to their larger flexible membrane. They require an external amplifier or DAC for power to them.

Additionally the magnetic drivers that planar magnetic driver are more expensive than their dynamic counterparts due to the fact that they're usually made of high-end materials. However, a few specialist HiFi audio headphone manufacturers have started to revive this older technology in recent years. We're now experiencing a variety of stunning new headphones that feature planar earphones magnetic drivers that offer an incredible listening experience.

The decision between planar and dynamic headphones is an individual choice based on personal taste and budget. The headphones with a magnetic design have an enlargement of the sound stage than dynamic ones and are known for their exceptional clarity and precision. However, they are typically more expensive, and many listeners prefer the punchy bass and warm sound of dynamic headphones.

The headphones with a dynamic driver tend to have more power and slam. However, this difference is not always noticeable by most listeners. They also have better clarity and imaging. There are exceptions to the general rule. The best planar-magnetic headsets can be bought at affordable cost.

Magnets

In a typical headphone with a dynamic driver the electrical signals sent by your source of audio travel through a conductive material that interacts with the magnetic fields in the driver. These are used to manipulate the diaphragm's flatness and generate sound waves. Planar magnetic headphones utilize an extremely thin layer of conductors sandwiched between powerful magnets. They are more difficult to make, which is why they're more expensive.

A larger and heavier design is also a result of the need for more space around drivers. They also use more power than their more dynamic counterparts which means that they'll require an amplifier for the headphones to achieve their full potential. While this isn't always a issue, it's something you should keep in mind when considering these headphones.

It's not the case with all headphones, but the best planar-magnet headphones have an airier, more open sound. This gives them an impression of being in a bigger space, which is appealing to some listeners. The soundstage they provide is also a bit larger, which can be helpful when listening to music in a group.

The open-back design is a popular option for a number of designer headphone brands, including the likes of HiFiMAN and Audeze. Although they're not as well-known as closed-back models, they can be an excellent opportunity to experience the benefits of planar magnetic technology. For instance the HiFiMAN Sundara offers a great introduction to the speed, accuracy and detail of these headphones at an affordable price.

The housing

If you're an audiophile, or just a person who enjoys good music, it's likely you've heard of the planar magnetic headphones. They have a distinctive look with a flat diaphragm embedded, which can be found in both over-ear and open-back headphone designs. In addition to the unique design, these headphones also use different working principles in comparison to dynamic drivers.

Planar magnetic headphones, unlike traditional moving coil drivers that use the voice coil to produce sound waves, employ array of magnets that move the diaphragm to produce sound. Depending on the layout, these arrays could be placed on either or both sides of the diaphragm. The magnets are activated when an electrical signal travels through the voice coil, causing it to vibrate. The vibrations create magnetic fields which interact with magnets on either end of the diaphragm. The magnetic fields cause the diaphragms push and pull. The audio signal is represented by sound waves.

This is why headphones made of planar magnetics typically sound richer and have better bass extension capabilities. The diaphragm is large and flat. responds much faster to changes in the input signal, meaning they are able to respond quicker to bass response and are less prone to distortion. This provides them with an improved, precise sound that audiophiles like.

Although these headphones may be capable of reproducing higher frequencies, they do not have the slam or punch of modern high-end dynamic driver headphones. They can be difficult to hear for those who prefer to listen to metal or Planar magnetic Headphone hard rock music.

Planar magnetic headphones are expensive because of their unique design. They also require a dedicated amplifier and digital audio converters to supply the drivers with power. This could result in a significant cost increase for some customers, but many believe that the sound quality is worth the cost. However, it's important to be aware that there are different headphones available to those who don't want to pay more than they have to.